When Do Boys Stop Growing? A Complete Guide to Teen Boy Development

Puberty is an exciting time, but it can be challenging for boys and teens if they aren’t growing as tall or as quickly as their peers. Most boys reach their adult height around age 17, but some “late bloomers” may take a few more years to complete their growth spurt. In this article, we cover how and when puberty causes boys to shoot upward, plus what you can say as a parent to support a body-conscious boy or teen. We’ll also go over what you can do to aid your son’s growth, like providing a healthy and nutritious diet. Read on to learn more!

Teen Boy Growth Timeline: Quick Overview

Most boys stop growing taller around 17–18 years old. This is usually when puberty begins to wind down and boys have mostly matured into their adult bodies. However, some boys may continue to grow taller into their early 20s, especially if they were a “late bloomer” and started puberty after their peers.

Section 1 of 9:

When do boys stop growing taller?

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Most boys reach their adult height between 16 and 18 years old. Boys grow into their final adult height by the time they begin to wrap up puberty, typically around age 17. However, if a boy starts puberty late, they may continue growing past 18, possibly into their early 20s.^{[1]
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- Every boy develops differently and on their own timeline. Late bloomers may take longer to catch up to their peers, while those who start puberty sooner may reach their adult height early.

Section 2 of 9:

How Puberty Affects Growth

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During this early phase of puberty, boys begin to experience multiple physical changes, including the start of their growth spurt. They typically grow up to 2.5 in (5 cm) per year, but this growth rate often increases as they get slightly older and puberty ramps up.^{[2]
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As boys get deeper into puberty, physical changes like height speed up. They may grow anywhere from 2.75 to 3 in (7 to 7.5 cm) or more per year!^{[3]
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Go to source} Keep in mind that these are general trends for wide age groups; when and how fast a boy grows depends on a variety of factors like at what age he began puberty, hormone levels, and genetics. For example, a boy is more likely to be a late bloomer if his father is one.
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During peak puberty (ages 11–16), boys may grow up to 4 in (10.2 cm) per year. Boys experience their largest and fastest growth spurt at the height of puberty, typically in their mid- or late-high school years.^{[4]
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Go to source} This is also when boys who began puberty late or haven’t hit their growth spurt yet can feel especially self-conscious about their size and height. However, it’s just a matter of timing! Boys who begin puberty late will still reach their full, healthy adult size—it just may take longer than those who began early.^{[5]
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- Most boys reach their adult height by age 17 as puberty begins to wind down, although they may still experience other changes (like increased muscle mass or facial hair) afterward.

Section 3 of 9:

Other Factors that Influence Boys’ Growth

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Genetics is the primary factor affecting boys’ growth, but medical conditions can have an impact too. For the most part, a boy’s height is determined by the height of his parents; tall parents are more likely to have tall children, while shorter parents are more likely to have shorter children. However, there are other factors that can inhibit or negatively impact a boy’s growth, like:^{[6]
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- Chronic illness
- Hormonal disorders like thyroid disease and growth hormone deficiency
- Genetic disorders linked to reduced height like Down syndrome or Turner syndrome
- Some medications like corticosteroids (if used for a long period at high doses)
- Being underweight, malnourished, or having an eating disorder like anorexia nervosa

Section 4 of 9:

Average Height of Boys by Age

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Between age 2 and the onset of puberty, most children (boys and girls) grow up to 2 in (5 cm) per year. Keeping track of their height compared to averages can help you determine if they’re on track; if they’re behind, there may be a hormone or other condition impacting their growth. Here are the average heights for boys from ages 2–18:^{[7]
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- 2 years old: 32–37 in (81–94 cm)
- 4 years old: 37.5–43 in (95–109 cm)
- 6 years old: 42–49 in (107–124 cm)
- 8 years old: 47–54 in (119–137 cm)
- 10 years old: 50.5–59 in (128–150 cm)
- 12 years old: 54–63.5 in (137–161 cm)
- 14 years old: 59–69.5 in (150–177 cm)
- 16 years old: 63–73 in (160–185 cm)
- 18 years old: 65–74 in (165–188 cm)

Section 5 of 9:

Is it true that girls grow earlier than boys?

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Most girls begin puberty and reach their adult height at younger ages than boys. Many girls start puberty between the ages of 8–13 (about 1 year sooner than most boys). They reach their peak growth spurt between ages 9–14 and may grow up to 3 in (7.6 cm) taller per year during this time. Most girls reach their full adult height by age 16, but some may continue growing until about age 20.^{[8]
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- Like with boys, the age that a girl reaches her adult height depends on a variety of factors like how old she was when she began puberty, genetics, and hormone levels.

Section 6 of 9:

How to Predict a Child’s Adult Height

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Average a boy’s parents' heights and add 2.5 in (6.3 cm) to estimate his adult height. While this isn’t an exact science, you can get a decent estimation of a boy’s adult height this way.^{[9]
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Research source} For example, if his mother is 63 inches (160 cm) tall and his father is 69 inches (175 cm) tall, you can expect him to grow to about 68.5 inches (174 cm) tall (the average of 63 and 69 is 66, plus 2.5 gives you 68.5).
- You can use this same formula to estimate a girl’s adult height. Instead of adding 2.5 inches to the average, subtract it (a girl with these same parents would be about 63.5 inches (161 cm) tall).
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Track a boy’s growth on a growth chart for the most accurate estimation. The CDC provides a stature and weight growth chart that shows percentiles for a boy’s height by age. Simply find the point on the graph where his age and height intersect, then follow the nearest percentile line to predict his height by age 20.
- For example, if a boy is 3 years old and about 37 inches (94 cm) tall, he’d fall on the 50th percentile line (he’ll be taller than 50% of men and shorter than 50% of men). If you follow that line to the end of the graph, you’ll see he’ll be about 70 inches (178 cm) tall at age 20.

Section 7 of 9:

How to Boost a Child’s Growth

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Encourage your son to get plenty of sleep, exercise, and eat a nutritious diet. While genetics is the driving factor behind how much your son will grow, proper diet and activity will help him grow healthily and to his fullest potential. Here are some helpful tips to make sure he’s nourished and rested:^{[10]
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- Encourage him to stick to a regular bedtime routine and get 8–10 hours of sleep per night (no phones or screens before bed!).^{[11]
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- Keep the house stocked with healthy snack options, including plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.
- Eat balanced meals together as a family when possible. Encourage your son not to skip meals and to eat healthy portion sizes.
- Encourage him to get about 30 minutes of physical activity per day. Simple things like going for a walk or playing catch in the backyard count!
- Make sure he gets plenty of calcium, iron, and whole grains in his diet.^{[12]
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Section 8 of 9:

Helping Your Child with Body Insecurity

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If he’s feeling insecure about being shorter than his male peers, let him know that he will still grow into his adult size too; it just may take a bit longer. This is especially true if he’s a late bloomer that started puberty on the late side. Most teens grow 7–10 inches (17.8–25.4 cm) during puberty to reach their full height, so remind him that he still has plenty of growing to do!^{[13]
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Model body positivity and be critical about societal messages about “ideal” bodies. Even if your son is an angsty teen, you’re still one of his biggest role models as a parent. Avoid making disparaging remarks about your own body or others in front of him, and try not to place too much value on appearances to encourage him to do the same.^{[14]
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- Keep an eye on the media he consumes, too. Openly question and challenge ads, influencers, and TV that promote a “perfect” or “ideal” physique (whether it’s in terms of height, musculature, facial hair, or any other aspect of a male’s appearance).
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Build up his self-esteem and sense of identity. Allow your son to solve age-appropriate problems and look for creative solutions largely on his own to build confidence in his personal skills (with your supervision when safety is concerned). Teach him how to set boundaries and assert himself politely to cultivate his sense of self and advocate for his needs; this can be especially helpful if he’s experiencing teasing at school for his height.^{[15]
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- Also encourage your son to take out any frustrations in healthy ways. Going for walks or exercising, listening to music, chatting with a friend, or expressing yourself creatively are all productive and effective ways to relieve stress and feel better about yourself.
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Be an active listener to support your son through emotional changes or challenges. When boys go through puberty, the increase in testosterone and social pressures can lead to moodiness or outbursts (especially if they’re already self-conscious about their body or height). Be an open ear for your son when he’s upset and ask if he’d like your opinion or advice, or if he just wants you to listen.^{[16]
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- If he begins showing signs of anxiety, depression, or severe mood swings, visit your doctor for evaluation and possible treatment for a mood or psychological disorder.

Section 9 of 9:

When to See a Doctor

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See your doctor if your child is growing less than 2 in (5 cm) per year over a period of at least 6–12 months. If your son is a healthy child within the normal weight range for his age and both parents are of average height, he should be growing about 2 inches per year after age 2 and before puberty, when this growth rate accelerates. If his growth rate is smaller or has leveled out, there may be an underlying condition inhibiting his growth.^{[17]
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- Often, the causes for short stature are harmless and may correct themselves in time. These include things like delayed puberty or having short parents and family members.
- However, there may be a chronic illness, genetic condition, or nutritional deficiency impacting your child’s growth rate. If you’re worried about their height, schedule an appointment to discuss your concerns.
- A PCP (primary care physician) may recommend you to an endocrinologist if your child’s height is consistently in a very low percentile to test for conditions like growth hormone deficiency, thyroid disease, celiac disease, blood disorders, or kidney disease.