Mother measuring her toddler's height against a growth chart on the wall
Weight-for-age percentile
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Length-for-age percentile
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Head circumference-for-age percentile
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Calculated from the official WHO Child Growth Standards reference tables (0–24 months). Your pediatrician's chart accounts for your baby's full growth history and is always the authoritative source — this tool is for general information, not diagnosis.

What does a percentile actually mean?

A percentile compares your baby to a reference population of babies the same age and sex. A baby at the 60th percentile for weight weighs more than roughly 60% of babies their age — it's a relative comparison, not a grade. The 50th percentile is the median, not a "correct" target, and a baby can be perfectly healthy anywhere from the 3rd to the 97th percentile.

Should I worry about a low or high percentile?

A single percentile number matters far less than the trend over time. A baby who's consistently tracked around the 20th percentile since birth is likely growing exactly as they should — for them. What pediatricians watch for is a sudden, sustained shift across two or more major percentile lines in either direction, which can (though doesn't always) signal something worth a closer look.

Weight, length and head circumference — why three numbers?

Each measurement tracks something different. Weight-for-age reflects overall body mass and can shift quickly with illness, feeding changes or growth spurts. Length-for-age reflects skeletal growth and tends to be steadier over time. Head circumference-for-age tracks brain and skull growth and is watched closely in the first two years. A baby can sit at different percentiles on each of the three — that's normal, and doctors typically look at all three together rather than any one in isolation.

WHO vs. CDC growth charts

The WHO Child Growth Standards used in this calculator are based on breastfed infants from multiple countries and are recommended for children under 2 in the US and most other countries. The CDC charts, used more often from age 2 onward, are based on a US reference population. Your pediatrician will typically use whichever is standard for your baby's age.

Reading the percentile bands

Growth charts are usually drawn with curves at the 3rd, 15th, 50th, 85th and 97th percentiles. The chart above plots your baby's point against the 3rd, 50th and 97th percentile lines for their age, so you can see at a glance whether a measurement sits near the middle of the range or closer to an edge — either of which can be entirely normal for an individual baby.

Frequently Asked Questions

A percentile compares your baby's measurement to the WHO reference population of babies the same age and sex. A baby at the 60th percentile for weight weighs more than roughly 60% of babies their age. It is a relative comparison, not a grade, and the 50th percentile is simply the median, not a target.
A single percentile matters far less than the trend over time. A baby who consistently tracks around the 20th percentile since birth is likely growing exactly as they should. What pediatricians watch for is a sudden, sustained shift across two or more major percentile lines.
The WHO Child Growth Standards, used in this calculator, are recommended for children from birth to 2 years in the US and most other countries. The CDC growth charts are the standard reference from age 2 onward. Your pediatrician will typically use whichever is standard for your baby's age.
This calculator uses the official WHO Child Growth Standards LMS reference parameters (the same statistical method used in clinical growth charts) rather than a rough approximation. It is intended for general information and tracking, not diagnosis — your pediatrician's chart, which accounts for your baby's full growth history, is always the authoritative source.
Yes. Boys and girls grow at different average rates, so WHO publishes separate reference tables for each sex. Always select the correct sex for an accurate percentile.
These are three separate WHO growth indicators. Weight-for-age tracks overall body mass, length-for-age tracks linear growth (height while lying down, used under age 2), and head circumference-for-age tracks brain and skull growth. Each has its own percentile because a baby can track differently on each measurement.
This calculator covers 0 to 24 months, matching the WHO Child Growth Standards' birth-to-2-years reference tables, which is the age range where WHO standards are internationally recommended over CDC references.
A modest shift like this is common and often not a concern, especially around growth spurts or after starting solids. A sharp, sustained drop across two or more major percentile lines is what typically prompts a pediatrician to investigate further. Either way, it's always a good idea to mention it at your next check-up — your pediatrician knows your baby's individual history best.

Sources & methodology

Percentiles are calculated using the official WHO Child Growth Standards LMS parameter tables (L, M and S values by month, sex and measurement), converted to a percentile with the standard Box-Cox method used across clinical growth charts. Growth charts are a screening aid, not a standalone diagnostic tool — always discuss your baby's growth with your pediatrician.

TRACK THE TREND, NOT JUST TODAY

One measurement is a snapshot. BabyQuil shows the trend.

Log every weight, length and head circumference check — BabyQuil plots your baby's personal growth curve over time. You can also track feeding, sleep and milestones alongside it.

Get BabyQuil — free on iOS