How accurate is the height prediction calculator?

The mid-parental height method predicts within ±8.5 cm of actual adult height for ~95% of children. Nutrition, chronic illness, and hormonal factors can significantly affect final height.

What is the mid-parental height formula?

For boys: (father's height + mother's height + 13 cm) ÷ 2. For girls: (father's height + mother's height − 13 cm) ÷ 2. The 13 cm correction accounts for the average sex difference in adult height.

Child Height Predictor

Predict a child's adult height using mid-parental height method based on both parents' heights.

Units

Metric (cm)

Imperial (in)

Child sex

Boy

Girl

Father's height (cm)

Mother's height (cm)

Optional: improve accuracy with current measurements

Child's current age (years)

Child's current height (cm)

Predicted adult height

178.0 cm

Typical range: 169.5 cm – 186.5 cm

Parent heights → mid-parental

Father: 178.0 cm

Mother: 165.0 cm

Mid-parental (+6.5cm boy correction):

178.0 cm

The mid-parental method predicts within ±8.5 cm of actual adult height for ~95% of children. Nutrition, health, and early puberty timing can significantly influence final height.

Child Height Predictor

The Child Height Predictor uses the mid-parental height method to estimate a child's adult height based on the heights of both biological parents.

Mid-parental height formula

Boys: (Father's height + Mother's height + 13 cm) ÷ 2
Girls: (Father's height + Mother's height − 13 cm) ÷ 2

The 13 cm (5.1 inch) correction accounts for the average height difference between adult men and women.

Accuracy

The typical error range is ±8.5 cm (±3.35 in). About 95% of children will fall within this range of the predicted height. Better predictions for children already born can use bone-age X-rays (Greulich-Pyle method).