Where Do You Rank?
Find your height percentile by age, sex, and country. Based on CDC growth charts (ages 2–19) and national health survey data for adults.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the LMS method used in this calculator?
LMS stands for Lambda (skewness), Mu (median), and Sigma (coefficient of variation). It's a Box-Cox power transformation used by the CDC to model height-for-age distributions that are not perfectly normal. The formula Z = ((height/M)^L - 1) / (L × S) converts your height into a Z-score, which is then mapped to a percentile using the standard normal distribution. This method is the gold standard for pediatric growth charts worldwide.
Why do percentiles differ between countries?
Average heights vary significantly by country due to genetics, nutrition, healthcare access, and socioeconomic factors. The Netherlands has the world's tallest average men (~182.9 cm / 6′0″), while countries like India and Nigeria have lower average heights. This means the same height can put you in the 80th percentile in one country and the 30th in another.
What's the difference between height percentile and height average?
The 50th percentile equals the median (average) height for your group. A percentile tells you the percentage of people shorter than you. Being in the 75th percentile means you're taller than 75% of people in your reference group — not that you're 75% of max height. Percentile is a relative ranking; average is an absolute number.
How accurate is this height percentile calculator?
For children and teens (ages 2–19), we use the exact CDC LMS parameters, which are the same values pediatricians use for growth charts. Accuracy is high within the US population for those ages. For adults and international comparisons, we use normal distribution approximations based on national health surveys (NCD-RisC 2016, NHANES), which are accurate at the population level but don't capture all within-country variation.
Can I use this for my child's health check?
This tool gives the same percentile calculation your pediatrician sees on a growth chart. However, a single data point is rarely clinically significant — doctors look at growth trends over time. If you're concerned about your child's growth trajectory, consult a pediatrician or pediatric endocrinologist. This tool is educational, not a substitute for professional medical advice.