Child Height Predictor
Curious about how tall your child will be as an adult? The mid-parental height method, developed by Dr. J.M. Tanner, uses both parents' heights to predict a child's adult stature. Enter the parents' heights below to get an estimated adult height with a range.
The mid-parental height method is the most widely used clinical tool for predicting a child's adult height. For boys, the formula averages the parents' heights and adds 6.5 cm (2.5 inches) to account for the average height difference between men and women. For girls, 6.5 cm is subtracted. The result has a standard deviation of about 5 cm, meaning most children (roughly 95%) will fall within plus or minus 10 cm of the prediction.
Genetics account for approximately 60-80% of adult height, making parental height a strong predictor. However, environmental factors including nutrition, health during childhood, hormonal conditions, and overall well-being also play significant roles. Children who experience chronic malnutrition, severe illness, or hormonal imbalances may not reach their genetic height potential.
This prediction is most reliable when both parents are of average height and the child has no underlying growth disorders. For children whose height percentile is significantly different from their mid-parental height prediction, a pediatric endocrinologist may evaluate bone age and growth hormone levels to provide a more accurate prognosis.