Why growth rate tells a different story than a single height
A child's height at any one point in time is a snapshot. Growth velocity — how fast that height is changing — adds the dimension of trend, which is often more informative for spotting a developing issue early than a single measurement against a percentile chart.
Growth velocity (cm/year) = (height2 − height1) ÷ (months between ÷ 12)
What typical growth looks like
Growth velocity isn't constant across childhood. Infants grow extremely fast in the first year, growth slows to a steadier pace through early and mid-childhood (commonly cited around 5-6 cm/year), then accelerates again during the pubertal growth spurt before leveling off as adult height is reached.
A tool for tracking, not diagnosing
This calculator is useful for understanding a growth trend between two specific measurements. It isn't a diagnostic tool — a pediatrician evaluating growth velocity across an established growth chart, with full context on a child's age and health history, is the appropriate resource for any genuine concern.