Child Height Predictor — Estimate Adult Height from Parents
Estimate adult height from parents
Child height predictor: quick guide
This calculator estimates potential adult height using the mid-parental method. Enter the mother’s and father’s heights in metric or in feet and inches; the tool outputs a central prediction plus a practical uncertainty band of about ±10 cm (±4 in). The estimate assumes an average growth pattern in a generally healthy environment.
For cleaner numbers, measure each parent barefoot against a wall with a flat object on the head, eyes level, at a consistent time of day. Record to the nearest centimeter or quarter inch, and if possible average two readings. In imperial mode, feet and inches are separate fields; leaving inches blank is okay and entries like 5 ft 14 in are normalized automatically.
- Use recent measurements rather than remembered values.
- Remove shoes, thick hairstyles, and hats before measuring.
- Stand tall, heels and back lightly against the wall, chin neutral.
The main number is the center of the forecast. The range communicates normal spread among healthy children from similar families. Real outcomes can land above or below this band due to nutrition, sleep, illness, stress, activity, and the timing of puberty. Siblings commonly differ by several centimeters even with the same parents.
This is a screening estimate based on population averages. It does not incorporate bone age, growth velocity, or a child’s percentile history. Medical conditions and atypical puberty require professional assessment. If growth is unusually fast or slow, or height deviates sharply from family patterns, discuss it with a pediatrician.
How the height predictor works
The calculator averages the parents’ heights and applies a small adjustment for the child’s sex, which reflects typical adult differences observed in large datasets. This is the mid-parental height approach:
- Boys: (Father + Mother + 13 cm) ÷ 2
- Girls: (Father + Mother − 13 cm) ÷ 2
Example (metric): Mother 165 cm, Father 178 cm. Boy: (178 + 165 + 13) ÷ 2 = 178 cm. Girl: (178 + 165 − 13) ÷ 2 = 165 cm. The tool also displays a likely band of ±10 cm (±4 in) to reflect normal variation among healthy children.
Child height predictor FAQs
How accurate is this estimate?
It is a guide, not a guarantee. Many children finish within about ±10 cm (±4 in) of the central prediction when health and nutrition are typical.
Which formula does this tool use?
The mid-parental height method: average the parents’ heights, adjust for sex by ±13 cm, and divide by two.
Can I enter feet and inches?
Yes. Enter them in separate fields. Inches can be left blank, and values like 5 ft 14 in are normalized automatically.
What factors shift the outcome?
Nutrition, sleep, activity, illness, stress, and puberty timing can nudge the final result higher or lower than the center of the forecast.
Is this a medical device?
No. It is an educational calculator. For concerns about growth, consult a pediatrician.