Average Height for a 17-Year-Old Boy
For most 17-year-old boys, height is essentially set. Growth plates are closing. Any remaining growth for late developers is typically an inch or less, spread across the next 6 to 12 months. This is when the family-height target range matters most as context.
The 50th-percentile height for a 17-year-old boy in the U.S. is 175.9 cm (5' 9.3"). Here is what that number actually means, and where your son fits.
Full percentile table for 17-year-old boys
| Percentile | Feet & inches | Centimeters |
|---|---|---|
| 5th | 5' 4.3" | 163.3 |
| 10th | 5' 5.4" | 166.0 |
| 25th | 5' 7.2" | 170.6 |
| 50th (median) | 5' 9.3" | 175.9 |
| 75th | 5' 11.4" | 181.3 |
| 90th | 6' 1.3" | 186.2 |
| 95th | 6' 2.5" | 189.2 |
Where does your son fall?
Enter his current height. See his percentile against CDC data for 17-year-old boys.
The 17-year-old height number is close to final
The average (50th percentile) height for a 17-year-old boy in the U.S. is 175.9 cm (5' 9.3"). That means about half of 17-year-old boys are taller than this, and half are shorter. It does not mean anything is wrong with a 17-year-old who is taller or shorter, every percentile from about the 3rd to the 97th falls within the range of typical variation.
The last inches: growth plate timing at 17
At 17, most boys are within an inch or two of their final adult height. A small minority, usually late developers, still have significant growth ahead. Family height is now the dominant predictor.
The variance at 17 is mostly genetics catching up. Early developers stopped growing a year or two ago. Late developers may still be climbing. Both end up in the range predicted by family height.
How to read the number against his family-height target
Height alone is rarely diagnostic. What pediatricians look for at age 17:
- If growth has stopped and adult height is significantly below the mid-parental target (more than 2 inches under), it's worth a pediatrician review to confirm growth plates have fully closed.
- Height below the 3rd percentile with no family explanation warrants investigation.
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 17-year-old short?
5' 5" (165 cm) at age 17 is around the 10-15th percentile. Growth is likely mostly done, final adult height probably within an inch of this.
What if my 17-year-old is tall?
6' 3" (191 cm) at age 17 is around the 97th percentile, tall, and likely at or very close to his final adult height.
Do boys still grow after 17?
A small percentage of 17-year-old boys still have 1-2 inches of growth left, especially late developers. Most are done or nearly done.
How much should a 17-year-old grow in a year?
0-1 inch per year for most 17-year-olds. Growth is essentially complete for many by this age.
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 17-year-old's growth, talk to his pediatrician, ideally with 6-12 months of measurements. © 2026 The Growth Path.