Height Calculator

Name: Height Calculator
Author: Jitendra Kumar

Convert height between feet, inches, centimeters, and meters; estimate adult height from parents; compare heights; calculate growth velocity, BMI, BSA, ideal weight range, and educational height percentiles.

Last Updated: May 17, 2026

Convert, Predict, and Track Height

Switch modes for unit conversion, adult-height prediction, percentile estimates, growth velocity, height differences, BMI, ideal weight, and BSA.

Calculator mode

Decimal precision

Measurement date

Notes

Current height unit

Main height used for conversions and most modes.

Current height feet

Current height inches

Height in centimeters

172.72 cm

Feet and inches

5 ft 8 in

Meters

1.727 m

Total inches

68 in

Step-by-Step Solution

Formula trace for the selected mode.

Step	Calculation
1	Total inches = feet x 12 + inches.
2	Centimeters = total inches x 2.54.
3	Meters = centimeters / 100.

This height converts to 5 ft 8 in, or 1.727 m.

Height Visualizer

Bar heights are scaled to the tallest displayed value. Use this for quick comparison, not clinical charting.

Current

172.72 cm

Smart Checks and Medical Cautions

Height prediction and percentile outputs are educational estimates, not medical diagnoses.

Save, Copy, Print, or Export

Save recent measurements locally in this browser, copy the result, download CSV, or use print as a PDF workflow.

Height and Growth Health Notice

This calculator is an educational measurement tool. Percentile and adult-height prediction results are estimates, not medical diagnoses. For concerns about growth, puberty, sudden height-percentile changes, nutrition, hormones, or abnormal height loss, consult a qualified healthcare professional and use official growth charts.

Checked by Jitendra Kumar

Height Calculator is checked for formula labels, source links, and result limits.

Jitendra Kumar, Founder & Editorial Standards Lead. Updated May 17, 2026. Scope: measurement calculators.

Sources & methodology · Review standards

How to Use the Height Calculator

Choose a calculator mode first. For simple conversion, enter the current height in feet plus inches, centimeters, meters, or total inches. For prediction, enter the child sex and both parent heights. For growth tracking, enter the previous height, current height, and months between measurements.

Keep the same measurement method for history records: barefoot, flat surface, upright posture, and ideally the same time of day. Use copy, CSV, saved history, or print when you need a clean record for notes.

Step 1: Select the height mode
Pick conversion, adult height prediction, percentile, difference, growth tracker, BMI, ideal weight, BSA, or sports comparison.
Step 2: Enter height in one unit system
Use feet plus inches, total inches, centimeters, or meters. The calculator converts everything through centimeters for consistency.
Step 3: Add age, sex, parent, or weight inputs when needed
Prediction and percentile modes need sex and age context, while BMI and BSA need weight.
Step 4: Review the result cards
Check centimeters, feet and inches, meters, total inches, and the mode-specific result.
Step 5: Read the step-by-step solution
Use the formula trace to see total inches, centimeters, meters, prediction math, BMI, BSA, or growth velocity substitution.
Step 6: Save or export the result
Save recent measurements locally, copy the summary, download CSV, or print the page as a PDF record.

How This Height Calculator Works

The converter first turns the selected input into total inches or centimeters. For example, 5 ft 8 in becomes \((5\times12+8)\times2.54=172.72\ \text{cm}\). The page then displays centimeters, meters, total inches, and feet plus inches.

The adult height predictor uses the mid-parental method. For boys it adds 13 cm before dividing by 2, and for girls it subtracts 13 cm before dividing by 2. The result is shown with a broad uncertainty range because genetics, nutrition, sleep, health, hormones, and puberty timing can change real outcomes.

Percentile mode uses a simplified educational age and sex reference, then estimates a z-score and percentile. Clinical interpretation should come from official CDC or WHO growth charts and a professional review, especially when a child crosses percentiles or growth velocity changes suddenly.

Height Formulas, Growth Guidance, and Common Mistakes

Height Calculator Modes

Mode	What it does
Height converter	Convert cm, meters, feet plus inches, and total inches.
Adult height predictor	Estimate possible adult height from parent heights.
Height percentile	Compare a height against an age and sex reference estimate.
Height difference	Compare two people, profiles, or reference heights.
Growth tracker	Calculate height gain and growth velocity between two measurements.
BMI mode	Use height and weight to calculate BMI with screening cautions.
Ideal weight range	Estimate an adult BMI 18.5 to 24.9 weight range.
Body surface area	Calculate Mosteller BSA from height and weight.
Sports comparison	Compare a person with a reference athlete or roster height.

Height Conversion and Growth Formula Library

Formula	Expression	Use
Inches to centimeters	\(1\ \text{inch}=2.54\ \text{cm}\)	Exact unit conversion for inch-based heights.
Feet to inches	\(1\ \text{foot}=12\ \text{inches}\)	Combine feet and remaining inches before converting.
Total inches	\(\text{Total inches}=(\text{feet}\times12)+\text{inches}\)	First step for feet plus inches input.
Centimeters	\(\text{Centimeters}=\text{Total inches}\times2.54\)	Metric conversion from imperial height.
Meters	\(\text{Meters}=\frac{\text{cm}}{100}\)	Medical, BMI, and scientific notation.
Boy adult height estimate	\(\text{Adult height}=\frac{\text{father}+\text{mother}+13\ \text{cm}}{2}\)	Mid-parental educational estimate for boys.
Girl adult height estimate	\(\text{Adult height}=\frac{\text{father}+\text{mother}-13\ \text{cm}}{2}\)	Mid-parental educational estimate for girls.
BMI	\(BMI=\frac{\text{weight in kg}}{\text{height in m}^2}\)	Adult screening calculation from height and weight.
Body surface area	\(BSA=\sqrt{\frac{\text{height in cm}\times\text{weight in kg}}{3600}}\)	Mosteller BSA estimate.
Growth velocity	\(\text{Growth velocity}=\frac{\text{height change}}{\text{time in years}}\)	Tracks height change over time.

Feet and Inches to Centimeters Chart

Height	Centimeters
4 ft 10 in	147.32 cm
5 ft 0 in	152.40 cm
5 ft 2 in	157.48 cm
5 ft 4 in	162.56 cm
5 ft 6 in	167.64 cm
5 ft 8 in	172.72 cm
5 ft 10 in	177.80 cm
6 ft 0 in	182.88 cm
6 ft 2 in	187.96 cm
6 ft 4 in	193.04 cm

How Height Percentiles Should Be Read

A single percentile is less important than a repeated growth pattern. A child staying near the 10th percentile may be growing normally, while a sudden change from the 75th to the 25th percentile deserves closer review.

Percentile	Meaning
3rd percentile	Shorter than most peers; trend and clinical context matter.
10th percentile	Below average but may still be normal if growth is steady.
50th percentile	Around average height for age and sex.
90th percentile	Taller than most peers.
97th percentile	Very tall compared with peers; interpret with growth pattern.

Measurement Accuracy Guide

Step	Measurement practice
1	Stand barefoot on a flat, hard surface.
2	Keep heels, back, and head against a wall if possible.
3	Look straight ahead with feet flat.
4	Use a flat object to mark the top of the head.
5	Measure from the floor to the mark.
6	Repeat at the same time of day for consistency.
7	Record the date, method, and notes when tracking growth.

Height can vary slightly during the day because of spinal compression. For growth tracking, measure at the same time of day and avoid shoes or soft flooring.

Height by Age Group

Age group	What to know
Babies	Length is measured lying down, and WHO child growth standards are commonly used.
Children	Growth charts and height-for-age percentiles are more useful than one number.
Teens	Puberty timing can create large temporary differences between peers.
Adults	Adult height is usually stable after growth plates close.
Older adults	Height loss can occur with posture, spine, and bone-density changes.

Factors That Affect Height and Growth

Factor	Why it matters
Genetics	Parent height strongly influences adult height range.
Nutrition	Long-term nutrition can affect growth potential, especially in childhood.
Sleep	Sleep supports normal development and hormone rhythms.
Hormones	Growth hormone, thyroid function, and puberty hormones can affect growth.
Chronic illness	Ongoing disease or medication effects may affect growth patterns.
Puberty timing	Early or late puberty changes when growth spurts appear.
Measurement method	Shoes, posture, surface, and time of day can change readings.

Real-Life Uses

Use case	How this calculator helps
Parents and pediatric visits	Prepare height history, growth velocity, and questions.
Students	Learn exact unit conversion formulas and step-by-step substitution.
Fitness and health	Use height for BMI, BSA, and adult weight-range screening.
Sports profiles	Compare athlete heights or roster reference values.
International forms	Convert between feet/inches, cm, meters, and total inches.
Character or design work	Compare proportions and height differences quickly.

Common Height Calculator Mistakes

Mistake	How to avoid it
Mixing feet and inches	5.8 feet is not the same as 5 ft 8 in.
Forgetting 12 inches per foot	Always convert feet to total inches before multiplying by 2.54.
Rounding too early	Round final results, not intermediate conversion values.
Using adult formulas for children	Children need age and sex context.
Treating predictions as guarantees	Adult height estimates have meaningful uncertainty.
Ignoring growth trend	A stable percentile can be more important than a single percentile.
Measuring with shoes	Shoes can add height and make history records inconsistent.
Ignoring posture	Slouching, uneven floors, and head position can shift results.
Believing height supplements guarantee growth	No calculator can promise growth after growth plates close.

Height is often used with the BMI Calculator and Ideal Weight Calculator. For exact mass conversions, use the Weight and Mass Converter.

Keep the research moving with BMI Calculator, Ideal Weight Calculator, Weight and Mass Converter, and Age Calculator.

Frequently Asked Questions

A height calculator converts height units and can also estimate adult height, compare heights, calculate growth velocity, and support BMI or BSA calculations.

Multiply feet by 12, add the remaining inches, then multiply total inches by 2.54.

Divide centimeters by 2.54 to get total inches. Divide total inches by 12 for feet, then keep the remainder as inches.

It is an educational estimate. Parent height formulas can be useful, but actual adult height depends on genetics, nutrition, health, sleep, hormones, puberty timing, and measurement quality.

No. Adult height prediction has uncertainty and should not be treated as a guaranteed result.

For boys, add father height, mother height, and 13 cm, then divide by 2. For girls, add father height and mother height, subtract 13 cm, then divide by 2.

A height percentile compares a child with peers of the same age and sex. For example, the 50th percentile is around average.

It means about half of peers are shorter and about half are taller in the reference group.

A low percentile can be normal if growth is steady, but sudden percentile drops or concerns should be discussed with a healthcare professional.

Routine checkups often track growth. For home tracking, monthly or quarterly measurements are usually more useful than daily measurements.

Genetics, nutrition, sleep, hormones, puberty timing, chronic illness, prenatal development, and overall health can all affect growth.

Adults may improve posture, but true bone length usually does not increase after growth plates close.

Spinal compression can make people slightly shorter later in the day, so repeat measurements at the same time when tracking growth.

Measure barefoot on a flat surface, stand upright, look straight ahead, mark the top of the head with a flat object, and measure from floor to mark.

Growth velocity is height change divided by time, commonly shown as centimeters per year.

Normal growth depends on age, sex, puberty stage, and previous growth pattern, so official charts and clinician review are best for concerns.

BMI divides weight in kilograms by height in meters squared.

Babies are usually measured lying down as recumbent length, while older children and adults are measured standing as stature or height.

Discuss concerns with a healthcare professional if growth suddenly slows, percentile trend changes sharply, puberty timing is unusual, or symptoms are present.

Adequate long-term nutrition supports normal growth, but supplements cannot guarantee extra height, especially after growth plates close.