Work out height percentile for children instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.
The height is converted to a z-score, (height - reference mean) / reference standard deviation, and the normal distribution turns that z into a percentile. Growth references are published as means and standard deviations by age and sex, so the z-score is the standard way to place a single measurement on the chart.
Z-score
z = (height - reference mean) / reference standard deviation
Percentile
percentile = normal cumulative distribution of z, expressed as a percentage
z = (height - reference mean) / reference standard deviation. The height is converted to a z-score, (height - reference mean) / reference standard deviation, and the normal distribution turns that z into a percentile.
Growth references are published as means and standard deviations by age and sex, so the z-score is the standard way to place a single measurement on the chart.
Enter child's height, reference mean height for age, reference standard deviation. The defaults shown are a realistic worked example — swap in your own figures to get a result you can use.