WHO Growth Chart Calculator
Bedside WHO growth chart calculator for children aged 0 to 60 months (0–5 years). Enter age, sex, height or length, and weight to get z-scores and percentiles for weight-for-age, length/height-for-age, BMI, and optional head circumference (OFC).
Educational reference for pediatric residents. A single percentile is not a diagnosis. Interpret serial measurements with gestational history, measurement quality, and local growth policy. For ages 2–20 years, use the CDC growth chart calculator.
How to interpret WHO z-scores and percentiles
A z-score is the number of standard deviations a measurement sits from the WHO median for that age and sex. A z-score of 0 is the 50th percentile. Values near −2 or +2 are about the 2nd and 98th percentiles and usually prompt a closer clinical look, not an automatic diagnosis.
Trend matters more than one visit. Crossing two major percentile lines, disproportionate weight vs length, or measurements that do not match the child’s history should be checked against serial data, prematurity, nutrition, chronic disease, and measurement technique (recumbent length vs standing height).
This calculator is for postnatal child growth using WHO Child Growth Standards (0–60 months). It is not a fetal weight percentile tool. For estimated fetal weight percentiles, use the fetal weight percentile calculator.
WHO vs CDC growth charts
WHO charts describe how healthy, breastfed children grow under standard conditions and are the usual reference from birth through 24 months. CDC 2000 charts describe how U.S. children grew in national surveys and are the usual reference from age 2 to 20 years. This page uses WHO standards through 60 months. Switch to the CDC growth chart calculator for older children and adolescents.
Sources and Reference Basis
Use this WHO growth chart calculator for fast bedside screening and documentation support. Abnormal values should be interpreted with clinical context, serial measurements, gestational history, and local growth policy.
- WHO Child Growth Standards Reference basis for early-childhood growth standards and z-score interpretation.
- CDC Growth Charts Related US growth chart resource for older pediatric age ranges.
- AAP pediatric blood pressure guideline Reference context for blood pressure interpretation alongside height percentile.
Related Pediatric Resident Tools
Frequently Asked Questions
Which growth standards does this WHO growth chart calculator use?
This page calculates WHO Child Growth Standards z-scores and percentiles for children aged 0 to 60 months, including weight, length or height, BMI, and optional head circumference.
What is a pediatric z-score on a WHO growth chart?
A z-score is how many standard deviations a measurement is from the WHO median for age and sex. Zero is the 50th percentile. Values below −2 or above +2 generally warrant clinical review with serial measurements.
Should a single growth percentile be treated as diagnostic?
No. Growth interpretation should consider serial measurements, measurement quality, prematurity, nutrition, chronic disease, and the child clinical picture.
When should I use CDC charts instead of WHO?
AAP guidance commonly uses WHO charts from birth to 2 years and CDC charts from 2 to 20 years. Use the CDC growth chart calculator on this site for older children and adolescents.
Why include blood pressure reference context?
Blood pressure interpretation in children depends partly on height percentile, so growth and BP review often belong together during resident assessment.