By the WHO growth reference, boys who have just turned 18 have a median height of 176.1 cm (5′9″). Most children (94%) are between 162.1 cm (5′4″) and 190.2 cm (6′3″).
176.1 cm (5′9″)
median height (P50)
162.1–190.2 cm
P3–P97 range
| Age | P3 | P15 | P50 | P85 | P97 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 years | 162.1 | 168.4 | 176.1 | 183.9 | 190.2 |
| 18 years 3 months | 162.3 | 168.6 | 176.3 | 184 | 190.2 |
| 18 years 6 months | 162.5 | 168.7 | 176.4 | 184 | 190.3 |
| 18 years 9 months | 162.7 | 168.9 | 176.5 | 184.1 | 190.3 |
P50 is the median: half of children the same age are shorter and half taller. P3 to P97 is the range WHO treats as normal.
| Height | Children shorter |
|---|---|
| 155 cm (5′1″) | 0.2% |
| 160 cm (5′3″) | 2% |
| 165 cm (5′5″) | 7% |
| 170 cm (5′7″) | 21% |
| 175 cm (5′9″) | 44% |
| 180 cm (5′11″) | 70% |
| 185 cm (6′1″) | 88% |
| 190 cm (6′3″) | 97% |
| 195 cm (6′5″) | 99.4% |
Values come straight from World Health Organization tables: the WHO Child Growth Standards (2006) for ages 0–5 and the WHO Growth Reference (2007) for ages 5–19. National references (CDC in the US, for example) can differ by a few centimetres. This is not a diagnostic tool: growth over time matters more than a single measurement, and questions about your child's growth belong with their doctor.