Mid-Parental Height Calculator
Estimate target adult height and expected family range from parent heights.
Predicted height is near the broad middle of population distribution.
Mid-Parental Height Interpretation
Percentile is estimated from adult population distributions and helps contextualize where the family-based target sits.
| RANGE | CATEGORY |
|---|---|
| 0-10 | Shorter Range Predicted adult height is in lower population percentiles. |
| 10-30 | Below Average Predicted height is below median but within common population variation. |
| 30-70 | Average Predicted height is near the broad middle of population distribution. |
| 70-90 | Above Average Predicted height is above median and common in upper-percentile groups. |
| 90+ | Tall Range Predicted adult height is in high population percentiles. |
What This Mid-Parental Height Calculator Does
This calculator estimates target adult height from father and mother heights using the standard mid-parental-height method. It also provides a practical target range often used in pediatric growth screening.
Formula Used
Boy target = (Father + Mother + 13 cm) / 2
Girl target = (Father + Mother - 13 cm) / 2
Expected target band = target +/- 8.5 cm
This approach is widely used for quick clinical screening and expectation-setting, but it is not a complete growth model.
How To Interpret The Target Band
The center value is the family-based estimate. The surrounding band represents common variation around that estimate. Values outside the band can still occur, but they are less typical and may justify closer growth-chart review.
If you want to compare a specific target height against this estimate, use the Height Calculator for probability modeling. For photo-based visual height approximation, use the Height Estimator.
Clinical Caveats
Mid-parental-height estimates should be interpreted with growth velocity, pubertal stage, and serial percentile tracking. Nutrition, chronic disease, and endocrine disorders can shift final outcomes substantially.
For children with rapidly falling growth percentiles, delayed growth patterns, or clear mismatch between predicted and observed growth, medical evaluation is the appropriate next step.
References
- CDC Growth Charts and growth-chart practice:CDC Growth Charts
- Wright CM, Cheetham TD. Strengths and limitations of parental heights:Archives of Disease in Childhood (PubMed)
- Khamis HJ, Roche AF. Predicting adult stature without skeletal age:Pediatrics (PubMed)
- WHO Child Growth Standards methods and background:WHO Technical Report