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Height Prediction From Parents Calculator

Work out height prediction from parents instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Height Prediction From Parents Calculator

The mid-parental method averages the parents' heights then adds 6.5 cm for a boy or subtracts 6.5 cm for a girl. With a 165 cm mother and 180 cm father, a boy is predicted at 179 cm and a girl at 166 cm. The 95% prediction interval is about 8.5 cm either side, so it indicates a range rather than a target.

Formulas

Mid-parental height

mid = (mother + father) / 2

Prediction

boys: mid + 6.5 cm; girls: mid - 6.5 cm

Worked example

With the default values below, Height Prediction From Parents Calculator returns Predicted Adult Height of 179.0. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Mother's heightminimum 100 cm
165 cm
Father's heightminimum 100 cm
180 cm
Child's sexone of Boy, Girl
Boy

Results

Predicted Adult Height
179.0 cm
Mid-Parental Height
172.5 cm
Lower End Of The Likely Range
170.5 cm
Upper End Of The Likely Range
187.5 cm

Step by step

  1. 1Values used
  2. 2Mid-parental height
  3. 3Prediction
  4. 4Predicted Adult Height= 179.0 cm
  5. 5Mid-Parental Height= 172.5 cm
  6. 6Lower End Of The Likely Range= 170.5 cm
  7. 7Upper End Of The Likely Range= 187.5 cm

Assumptions and limits

  • The result is derived only from the 3 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
  • In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
  • Figures are rounded for display to 1 decimal place, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.
  • These figures are population-average estimates, not a medical assessment or diagnosis. Body composition equations carry errors of several percentage points, and healthy ranges vary with age, ethnicity, muscularity and medical history. Discuss weight or body composition goals with a qualified clinician or dietitian.
  • This is an estimate for general information and not professional medical advice. See the full disclaimer for the limits that apply to this kind of calculator.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

These figures are population-average estimates, not a medical assessment or diagnosis. Body composition equations carry errors of several percentage points, and healthy ranges vary with age, ethnicity, muscularity and medical history. Discuss weight or body composition goals with a qualified clinician or dietitian.

Frequently Asked Questions

How accurate is this?

The prediction interval is roughly plus or minus 8.5 cm, so it identifies a likely range. Bone age radiography is far more precise.

Why the 6.5 cm adjustment?

It is half the average adult height difference between men and women, applied to shift the parental average to the child's sex.

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