Average Height for a 16-Year-Old Boy
By 16, most on-time developers are within an inch or two of their adult height. Late developers may still have 2 to 4 inches to gain. This is a useful year to run the family-height math and compare where he is against his target range.
The 50th-percentile height for a 16-year-old boy in the U.S. is 173.5 cm (5' 8.3"). Here is what that number actually means, and where your son fits.
Full percentile table for 16-year-old boys
| Percentile | Feet & inches | Centimeters |
|---|---|---|
| 5th | 5' 3.2" | 160.4 |
| 10th | 5' 4.3" | 163.3 |
| 25th | 5' 6.2" | 168.0 |
| 50th (median) | 5' 8.3" | 173.5 |
| 75th | 5' 10.5" | 179.1 |
| 90th | 6' 0.5" | 184.3 |
| 95th | 6' 1.8" | 187.4 |
Where does your son fall?
Enter his current height. See his percentile against CDC data for 16-year-old boys.
The 16-year-old growth window
The average (50th percentile) height for a 16-year-old boy in the U.S. is 173.5 cm (5' 8.3"). That means about half of 16-year-old boys are taller than this, and half are shorter. It does not mean anything is wrong with a 16-year-old who is taller or shorter, every percentile from about the 3rd to the 97th falls within the range of typical variation.
How much growth is likely still ahead
At 16, most boys are on the back half of their growth curve. Early developers are within an inch or two of their final adult height. Late developers still have 2-4 inches to go. Family height becomes the strongest signal of where he'll end up.
By 16, the puberty timing gap starts to close. Most boys are within a few inches of their final adult height. The biggest determinant now is genetic ceiling.
When bone-age imaging can settle the question
Height alone is rarely diagnostic. What pediatricians look for at age 16:
- Growth velocity below 1 inch per year is worth mentioning if he still shows growth-plate activity.
- Height below the 3rd percentile with no family explanation.
- Bone-age imaging can help predict remaining growth if there's concern.
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 16-year-old short?
5' 4" (163 cm) at age 16 is around the 5-10th percentile. Late developer likely still has 1-3 inches ahead.
What if my 16-year-old is tall?
6' 2" (188 cm) at age 16 is above the 95th percentile, tall, likely very close to his adult ceiling.
Do boys still grow after 16?
Yes, most 16-year-old boys still have 1-3 inches of growth remaining.
How much should a 16-year-old grow in a year?
1-2 inches per year is typical. Growth is winding down for most.
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 16-year-old's growth, talk to his pediatrician, ideally with 6-12 months of measurements. © 2026 The Growth Path.