How the Mid-Parental Height Method Works
The target height (also called mid-parental height) method has been used by pediatric endocrinologists for decades. It estimates a child's genetic height potential based on the average of both parents' heights, adjusted for the child's sex.
The Formula
- Boys: (Father's height + Mother's height + 13 cm) ÷ 2
- Girls: (Father's height + Mother's height - 13 cm) ÷ 2
The 13 cm adjustment represents the average height difference between adult men and women. The resulting target height has a 95% confidence range of approximately ±8.5 cm.
Refining with Current Growth Data
When you enter the child's current height and age, the calculator adjusts the prediction. A child tracking at the 90th percentile will likely end up taller than the mid-parental estimate, while a child tracking at the 10th percentile may end up shorter.
When Should I Use This?
- As part of a pediatric growth evaluation
- When assessing if a child's growth is consistent with genetic potential
- To identify children who may need endocrine evaluation (if significantly deviating from target)
Important note: A child's height that falls significantly below their target height range may warrant evaluation for growth hormone deficiency or other medical conditions. This calculator is not a diagnostic tool.
Track your child's growth journey
GrowChart makes it easy to log measurements and visualize the growth curve.