Average Height for a 13-Year-Old Boy
Between 13-year-old boys, height differences are wider than at any other age. A boy who started puberty at 10 can be six inches taller than a classmate who has not started yet. Both are almost certainly normal. This is the age where percentile alone tells you the least, and puberty timing tells you the most.
A quick, evidence-based answer with the full percentile range, based on CDC 2000 growth reference data.
Full CDC percentile table for age 13
| Percentile | Height (ft/in) | Height (cm) |
|---|---|---|
| 5th | 4' 9.6" | 147.0 |
| 10th | 4' 10.5" | 149.3 |
| 25th | 4' 11.9" | 152.5 |
| 50th (median) | 5' 1.4" | 156.0 |
| 75th | 5' 2.8" | 159.6 |
| 90th | 5' 4.2" | 162.9 |
| 95th | 5' 5.1" | 165.4 |
Where does your son fall?
Enter his current height. See his percentile against CDC data for 13-year-old boys.
Why 13 has the widest height spread of any age
The average (50th percentile) height for a 13-year-old boy in the U.S. is 156 cm (5' 1.4"). That means about half of 13-year-old boys are taller than this, and half are shorter. It doesn't mean anything is wrong with a 13-year-old who is taller or shorter , every percentile from about the 3rd to the 97th falls within the range of typical variation.
The puberty-timing question underneath the number
Age 13 is one of the most variable years for boys' height, because puberty timing differs dramatically. Some 13-year-old boys are already midway through their pubertal growth spurt; others haven't started yet. Two boys born the same week can be six inches apart at 13 and still both grow into normal adult heights.
The three biggest reasons for variation:
- Puberty timing. Boys typically start puberty between 9 and 14, and each year of difference in timing means a significant height difference at 13.
- Family height. Genetics accounts for roughly 80% of adult height variation. Tall families produce tall 13-year-olds on average.
- Growth-plate biology. Some boys have already had their peak growth velocity; others haven't hit it yet. This is why trend matters more than any single measurement.
What a pediatric endocrinology referral looks like at 13
A 13-year-old boy's height alone isn't usually diagnostic. What pediatricians look for:
- Height below the 3rd percentile (below about 4' 8" at age 13) if family history doesn't explain it.
- Sustained crossing of percentile lines downward over 6-12 months.
- Very slow growth velocity (less than 2 inches per year during pre-puberty).
- No signs of puberty by age 14.
If any of these apply, that's a conversation to bring to his next visit, ideally with 6-12 months of measurements in hand.
Frequently asked questions
Is 5' tall short for a 13-year-old?
5' 0" (152 cm) puts a 13-year-old at roughly the 20th percentile , on the shorter side, but well within the range of typical variation. Many boys at this height at 13 grow into a completely normal adult height. Family height and pubertal stage matter more than the number itself.
What if my 13-year-old is 5' 6"?
5' 6" (168 cm) is around the 97th percentile at age 13 , taller than about 97% of boys his age. That's not automatically "too tall" , it usually means his family is tall, or he's an early developer, or both.
Do boys still grow after 13?
Yes, most 13-year-old boys have several inches of growth left. Peak height velocity in boys typically hits between 13 and 15, and boys usually finish growing between 16 and 18. Some grow into their early 20s.
How much should a 13-year-old grow in a year?
A pre-pubertal 13-year-old boy typically grows 2-2.5 inches per year. A 13-year-old boy at peak height velocity can grow 3-4 inches in a year. Both are normal.
Height data comes from the CDC 2000 Growth Charts (stature-for-age for boys). This page is parent education, not medical advice or diagnosis. If you have concerns about your 13-year-old's growth, talk to his pediatrician, ideally with 6-12 months of measurements. © 2026 The Growth Path.