GrowthCalc

Child Height Predictor

The mid-parental height method — a simple genetics-based estimate of how tall your child will be.

Child's gender

Father's height (cm)

Mother's height (cm)

Predicted adult height

178.0 cm (5′10″)

Range low: 169.5 cm
Range high: 186.5 cm

What you entered

Gender: maleFather: 178 cmMother: 165 cm

1
Mid-parental height
(178.0 + 165.0) / 2= 171.5 cm
2
Gender adjustment (male)
171.5 + 6.5 cm= 178.0 cm (5′10″)
3
Prediction range (±8.5 cm)
178.0 ± 8.5= 169.5 – 186.5 cm

Result

Predicted height: 178.0 cm

Based on the mid-parental height method, a male child with a 178 cm father and 165 cm mother is predicted to reach 178.0 cm (5′10″) as an adult, within a range of 169.5–186.5 cm.

Predicted adult height from parents' heights

The mid-parental method averages both parents' heights, then adds 6.5 cm for a boy or subtracts 6.5 cm for a girl.

Father	Mother	Child	Predicted	Likely range
180 cm	165 cm	Boy	179.0 cm (5 ft 10 in)	170.5 - 187.5 cm
180 cm	165 cm	Girl	166.0 cm (5 ft 5 in)	157.5 - 174.5 cm
175 cm	160 cm	Boy	174.0 cm (5 ft 9 in)	165.5 - 182.5 cm
190 cm	175 cm	Boy	189.0 cm (6 ft 2 in)	180.5 - 197.5 cm
170 cm	155 cm	Girl	156.0 cm (5 ft 1 in)	147.5 - 164.5 cm

The range spans roughly 17 cm because nutrition, health, and timing of puberty all shift the outcome. General wellness information only, not medical advice. Discuss any health decision with a qualified clinician.

How the mid-parental method works

Average the parents' heights, then add 6.5 cm for boys or subtract 6.5 cm for girls. This reflects the statistical fact that sons tend to be taller than the average of their parents, and daughters shorter. The result has a ±10 cm range that covers about 95% of outcomes.

Genetics is the biggest factor, but not the only one

About 60-80% of height variation is genetic, but nutrition, sleep, health conditions, and physical activity during childhood and adolescence also matter. This calculator gives the genetic midpoint; actual height may differ based on environmental factors.

Frequently asked questions

How accurate is the mid-parental height method?

The prediction is accurate within ±10 cm (4 inches) for about 95% of children. It works well for average-height parents but is less accurate when parents are very tall or very short (regression to the mean). It's the same method pediatricians use for a quick estimate during well-child visits.

Can a child be taller than both parents?

Yes — about 25% of children end up taller than their tallest parent. Height is influenced by hundreds of genes, and children can inherit a favorable combination from both sides. Nutrition and health during growth years also matter. The trend of each generation being slightly taller than the last (secular trend) contributes as well.

At what age can you predict adult height?

The mid-parental method works from birth onward as an estimate. By age 2, a child's height correlates about 0.8 with adult height (double height at age 2 for a rough estimate). Bone age X-rays at age 8+ are the most accurate predictor. Growth plates close around 14–16 for girls and 16–18 for boys.