WHO Growth Percentile Chart
Plot your child's weight, length/height, head circumference, and BMI on official WHO growth curves. See exact percentiles and z-scores for ages 0–5 years.
| Date | Age | Value (kg) | Percentile | Z-Score | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No measurements recorded yet. Add one above. | |||||
Understanding WHO Growth Charts
The WHO Child Growth Standards describe how children should grow under optimal conditions. They are based on the Multicentre Growth Reference Study (MGRS), which followed 8,440 healthy, breastfed infants and young children from six countries (Brazil, Ghana, India, Norway, Oman, and the United States) between 1997 and 2003. Because the study selected children raised in environments that support healthy growth, these charts represent a prescriptive standard rather than simply a descriptive reference.
In the United States, the CDC recommends using WHO growth charts for children from birth to 24 months, and CDC growth charts for children ages 2 to 20 years. Internationally, the WHO standards are used for children up to 5 years of age. This tool uses the WHO standards for the full 0–60 month range.
How to Read Percentiles
A percentile tells you where your child falls compared to other children of the same age and sex. The 50th percentile is the median. If your child is at the 75th percentile for weight, it means they weigh more than 75% of children their age. Most healthy children fall anywhere between the 3rd and 97th percentiles. What matters most is consistent growth over time—following a steady curve rather than any single number.
Talk to your pediatrician if your child’s measurements fall below the 3rd or above the 97th percentile, or if you notice a significant shift (crossing two or more percentile lines) in either direction.
About Z-Scores
A z-score expresses how far a measurement is from the median in standard deviation units. A z-score of 0 equals the 50th percentile. A z-score of −2 (roughly the 2nd percentile) or +2 (roughly the 98th percentile) is considered clinically significant. Healthcare providers often use z-scores because they allow precise comparison across different ages and measurements.
References & Data Sources
- WHO Child Growth Standards — World Health Organization (2006). Based on the Multicentre Growth Reference Study (MGRS).
- WHO Growth Standards: Methods and Development — Technical documentation for weight-for-age, length/height-for-age, head circumference-for-age, and BMI-for-age indicators.
- CDC: WHO Growth Charts for the United States — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation for U.S. clinical use.
- WHO Anthro R Package — Official WHO software package containing the LMS reference data used in this tool.
Growth data in this tool is derived from the WHO Multicentre Growth Reference Study (MGRS, 2006), which collected data from 8,440 children across six countries. This tool is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your pediatrician or healthcare provider for clinical interpretation of growth data.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are WHO growth charts and why are they used?
WHO growth charts are based on the Multicentre Growth Reference Study (MGRS), which collected data from 8,440 healthy breastfed children across six countries. They describe how children should grow under optimal conditions and are recommended by the CDC for children from birth to 2 years, and by the WHO for children up to 5 years worldwide.
What does a growth percentile mean?
A growth percentile indicates where your child falls compared to other children of the same age and sex. For example, a weight at the 75th percentile means your child weighs more than 75% of children that age. Most healthy children fall between the 3rd and 97th percentiles. What matters most is that your child follows a consistent growth curve over time.
When should I be concerned about my child's growth percentile?
You should talk to your pediatrician if your child's measurements fall below the 3rd or above the 97th percentile, or if there is a significant change in their growth pattern (crossing two or more percentile lines up or down). A single measurement is less informative than the overall growth trend over time.
What is the difference between length and height on growth charts?
Length is measured with the child lying down (recumbent) and is used for children under 2 years. Height is measured standing up and is used for children 2 years and older. Recumbent length is typically about 0.7 cm longer than standing height. The WHO growth standards account for this difference in their charts.
How is BMI calculated for babies and young children?
BMI for children is calculated the same way as for adults: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. However, unlike adults, the interpretation uses age-specific and sex-specific percentiles because body composition changes as children grow. This tool automatically calculates BMI when you enter both weight and length/height measurements on the same date.
What is a normal weight percentile for my baby?
There is no single “normal” weight for a baby. Healthy babies can fall anywhere between the 3rd and 97th percentiles on the WHO weight-for-age chart. What pediatricians look for is a consistent growth pattern. A baby tracking along the 25th percentile at every checkup is growing just as healthily as one at the 75th. Concern arises when a child crosses two or more major percentile lines (for example, dropping from the 50th to below the 10th) over a short period, which could indicate a feeding issue or underlying condition.
What percentile should my child's height be?
Any height percentile between the 3rd and 97th is considered within the normal range on the WHO length/height-for-age chart. A child’s height percentile is largely determined by genetics—if both parents are tall, the child is more likely to track at a higher percentile, and vice versa. The most important factor is that the child’s height follows a steady curve over time rather than suddenly plateauing or dropping. Your pediatrician will evaluate height alongside weight and other developmental markers at well-child visits.
What does my baby's head circumference percentile mean?
Head circumference reflects brain growth and is routinely measured at every well-child visit for children under 2 years. A head circumference between the 3rd and 97th percentile is typical. A head that is consistently large (above the 97th) or small (below the 3rd) may warrant further evaluation, but many cases are simply familial (runs in the family). Pediatricians are most concerned when head circumference rapidly crosses percentile lines, which could indicate conditions like hydrocephalus (rapid increase) or microcephaly (very small). A single measurement in isolation is rarely cause for alarm.