Girls' Growth Timeline: When Does Height Stop?
The chart below tracks the average growth pattern for girls from birth to age 21. Tap each life stage to see what's happening — and use the quick check at the bottom to estimate where a girl is in her growth journey.
Is She Still Growing? Quick Estimate
Enter age and current height. The estimate updates automatically and compares height with an age-based average for girls.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Most girls reach their final adult height between ages 14 and 16, about two to three years after their first period (menarche). The peak growth spurt happens earlier — usually around age 11 to 12 — and growth slows sharply after that. A small number of girls may continue growing slowly until age 18, but significant height gain after 16 is uncommon.
Several signs together strongly suggest growth has ended: stable height for 12 months or more, stable shoe size for at least a year (feet typically stop growing before final height is reached), completion of late puberty markers (fully developed breasts, adult body shape, regular menstrual cycles), and approximately 2 to 3 years passed since her first period. A pediatrician can confirm with a bone-age X-ray of the hand and wrist.
Using CDC reference data (50th percentile), average heights are approximately 4 feet 2 inches (127 cm) at age 8, 4 feet 7 inches (138 cm) at age 10, 5 feet (152 cm) at age 12, 5 feet 2 inches (158 cm) at age 13, 5 feet 3 inches (160 cm) at age 14, and 5 feet 4 inches (163 cm) by age 16 and beyond. Individual girls can fall above or below these averages and still be healthy.
Yes, but only a little. After menarche (the first menstrual period), most girls grow another 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.5 cm) over the next 1 to 2 years before the growth plates close. Girls who start their period earlier tend to have more remaining growth ahead than those who start later, but for most, height is essentially finalized within 2 to 3 years of menarche.
Girls typically experience their peak height velocity (PHV) around age 11 to 12, often before their first period. At this peak, a girl can gain up to 3 to 3.5 inches (8 to 9 cm) in a single year. The total puberty growth spurt usually adds 8 to 10 inches (20 to 25 cm) to a girl's height over 2 to 4 years.
