How the mid-parental height formula works
| Child | Formula (cm) | Formula (inches) |
|---|
| Boy | (father + mother + 13) ÷ 2 | (father + mother + 5) ÷ 2 |
| Girl | (father + mother − 13) ÷ 2 | (father + mother − 5) ÷ 2 |
The 13 cm adjustment reflects the average height difference between adult men and women. For example, a 5′10″ father and a 5′4″ mother give a predicted height of about 5′9½″ for a son and 5′4½″ for a daughter.
The two methods behind the number
- Mid-parental height (Tanner, 1970): the average of both parents' heights, plus 6.5 cm for a boy or minus 6.5 cm for a girl. About 95% of children end up within 8.5 cm of it.
- Growth-curve projection: your child's current height is placed on the CDC 2000 stature-for-age chart, and we assume they stay on the same percentile until age 20.
- When your child is already here, the two are blended. The growth curve counts for more as your child gets older, from 0% at age 2 up to 80% by about 14, and the range narrows. These blending weights are our own estimate.
Height is one of many traits that run in families. See how coloring is passed down with the baby eye color calculator and the baby hair color calculator, or check your odds of twins with the twins calculator.
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See what my baby will look like →Questions parents ask
How is adult height predicted from parents?
This tool uses the mid-parental height method: add both parents’ heights, add 13 cm (5 in) for a boy or subtract 13 cm for a girl, then divide by two. About 95% of children end up within roughly 8.5 cm (3.3 in) of that number.
How accurate is a child height predictor?
Genetics explain most of the difference in height, but nutrition, sleep, health and the timing of puberty also matter. The range shown is more meaningful than the single number.
When do children stop growing?
Girls usually reach adult height around 14 to 16, about two years after their first period. Boys typically keep growing until 16 to 18, and some grow a little into their early twenties.
Can I use my child’s current height?
Yes. Choose "Is already here" and enter your child’s age and height. The calculator places them on the CDC growth chart and blends that projection with the parents’ heights, trusting the growth curve more as your child gets older. A bone-age X-ray from your pediatrician is more precise still.