CDC Growth Chart Calculator
Bedside CDC growth chart calculator for children and adolescents aged 2 to 20 years. Enter age, sex, stature, and weight to get z-scores and percentiles, with optional AAP blood pressure reference context from height percentile.
Educational reference for pediatric residents. For infants 0–60 months, use the WHO growth chart calculator.
How to interpret CDC growth percentiles
CDC 2000 growth charts convert stature, weight, and BMI into z-scores and percentiles for age and sex. A z-score of 0 is the 50th percentile. Extreme values, rapid crossing of percentile lines, or BMI that is high or low for the child’s trajectory should be interpreted with serial measurements and the clinical picture.
This page is for children and adolescents 2–20 years. It is not a fetal percentile calculator and it is not the WHO 0–60 month standard. Use the WHO growth chart calculator for infants and toddlers, and the fetal weight percentile calculator for estimated fetal weight.
When to use CDC vs WHO charts
AAP guidance commonly uses WHO Child Growth Standards from birth to 2 years and CDC charts from 2 to 20 years. CDC charts are descriptive of U.S. survey populations. Stay consistent across visits when you plot a child’s curve.
Sources and Reference Basis
Use this CDC growth chart calculator for bedside screening and documentation support. Confirm unusual values with serial measurements and local pediatric growth policy.
- CDC Growth Charts Primary reference for 2–20 year stature, weight, and BMI charts.
- WHO Child Growth Standards Preferred early-childhood standard; use the WHO calculator on this site for 0–60 months.
- AAP pediatric blood pressure guideline Height percentile informs pediatric blood pressure interpretation.
Related Pediatric Resident Tools
Frequently Asked Questions
What ages does this CDC growth chart calculator cover?
This page calculates CDC z-scores and percentiles for children and adolescents aged 2 to 20 years. For 0 to 60 months, use the WHO growth chart calculator.
What is a pediatric z-score on a CDC growth chart?
A z-score is how many standard deviations a measurement is from the CDC median for age and sex. Zero is the 50th percentile. Unusual values should be reviewed with serial measurements.
Should one CDC percentile be treated as diagnostic?
No. Interpret CDC growth chart results with measurement quality, trend over time, nutrition, chronic disease, and the rest of the clinical assessment.