Average Height for a 14-Year-Old Boy
At 14, on-time developers are usually in their peak growth year. That is 3 to 4 inches gained over twelve months. Late developers are still roughly where they were at 13. If your son is in the late group, tracking the trend matters more than the current percentile.
The 50th-percentile height for a 14-year-old boy in the U.S. is 163.2 cm (5' 4.3"). Here is what that number actually means, and where your son fits.
Full percentile table for 14-year-old boys
| Percentile | Feet & inches | Centimeters |
|---|---|---|
| 5th | 4' 10.9" | 149.6 |
| 10th | 5' 0.1" | 152.6 |
| 25th | 5' 2.0" | 157.5 |
| 50th (median) | 5' 4.3" | 163.2 |
| 75th | 5' 6.6" | 169.0 |
| 90th | 5' 8.7" | 174.4 |
| 95th | 5' 10.0" | 177.7 |
Where does your son fall?
Enter his current height. See his percentile against CDC data for 14-year-old boys.
On-time versus late developer at age 14
The average (50th percentile) height for a 14-year-old boy in the U.S. is 163.2 cm (5' 4.3"). That means about half of 14-year-old boys are taller than this, and half are shorter. It does not mean anything is wrong with a 14-year-old who is taller or shorter, every percentile from about the 3rd to the 97th falls within the range of typical variation.
Peak growth velocity: what to expect if he is mid-spurt
At 14, most boys are somewhere in puberty. Some have already had their peak growth spurt; others are just entering it. This is one of the widest years for height variation between boys the same age.
Peak height velocity (the fastest growth year in puberty) hits at wildly different ages across boys. A 14-year-old who peaked at 13 may only have 2 inches left; a 14-year-old who peaks at 15 has 5+ inches ahead.
When "he will catch up" is right, and when it is not
Height alone is rarely diagnostic. What pediatricians look for at age 14:
- No signs of puberty by 14 is worth a pediatrician visit, this is the age it starts to become a real clinical question, not just late.
- Height below the 3rd percentile with no family explanation.
- Sustained downward percentile crossing.
- Growth velocity below 2 inches per year during what should be peak growth.
If any of these apply, that is a conversation to bring to his next visit, ideally with 6-12 months of measurements in hand.
Frequently asked questions
Is my 14-year-old short?
5' 0" (152 cm) at age 14 is around the 10th percentile. Shorter, but often just late puberty timing, worth a conversation with the pediatrician if no signs of puberty are showing.
What if my 14-year-old is tall?
5' 8" (173 cm) at age 14 is around the 90th percentile, tall, typically driven by earlier puberty timing and family height.
Do boys still grow after 14?
Yes, most 14-year-old boys have 3-4 more years of growth ahead. Some finish by 16, others grow into their early 20s.
How much should a 14-year-old grow in a year?
3-4 inches per year during peak growth velocity; 1-2 inches per year in the tail years of puberty.
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 14-year-old's growth, talk to his pediatrician, ideally with 6-12 months of measurements. © 2026 The Growth Path.