Last updated: March 2, 2026 by Maria Gonzalez

Predict Your Child's Adult Height

Formula

Boys: (Mother + Father + 13) / 2;
Girls: (Mother + Father - 13) / 2; +/- 10 cm range

The mid-parent formula is a simple and widely used method to estimate a child's adult height based on the parents' heights. For boys, add 13 cm (5 inches) to the mother's height before averaging. For girls, subtract 13 cm from the father's height.

The prediction has a margin of error of about plus or minus 10 cm (4 inches). Genetics account for 60-80% of height, with nutrition, health, and environment influencing the rest.

Common use cases:

  • Estimating a child's growth potential
  • Understanding genetic height factors
  • Pediatric growth discussions

Frequently Asked Questions

MG

Maria Gonzalez

Registered Dietitian, RD, MPH

Maria is a Registered Dietitian with a Master's in Public Health. She focuses on evidence-based nutrition assessment tools including BMI, calorie calculations, and body composition analysis.

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