CDC Growth Charts (0-36 Months)
Weight-for-Age (CDC 0-3)
z = (W − μ) / σ
Weight percentile against CDC 0-36 month reference.
Calculate Percentile →Length-for-Age (CDC 0-3)
z = (L − μ) / σ
Recumbent length percentile against CDC reference.
Calculate Percentile →Head Circ-for-Age (CDC 0-3)
z = (HC − μ) / σ
Head circumference percentile against CDC reference.
Calculate Percentile →Weight-for-Length (CDC 0-3)
z(W | L)
Size-adjusted weight screen — age-independent.
Calculate Percentile →The CDC 0-36 month growth charts are the U.S.-historical reference for infants and toddlers, based on growth patterns observed in a U.S. sample. The CDC charts are widely used in U.S. clinical practice though the WHO standards (also on this site) are now recommended for 0-24 months.
Each calculator returns a CDC-referenced percentile and z-score, plus the visual placement on the CDC percentile curves.
When to use these calculators
The CDC charts describe how U.S. children have grown; the WHO standards describe how children should grow under optimal conditions. For 0-24 months WHO is preferred per AAP and WHO joint guidance; for 24+ months CDC is conventional in U.S. practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why use CDC if WHO is recommended?
- Many U.S. EMRs, public-health programs, and clinical references still use CDC charts as the default. The CDC charts are valid; they're descriptive rather than prescriptive. Use whichever your institution prescribes.
- What's the practical difference between CDC and WHO percentiles?
- Breastfed infants tend to track higher percentiles on the WHO charts than on the CDC charts, especially in the first 6 months. This is because the WHO sample was composed of optimally-fed (largely breastfed) infants, while the CDC sample reflects mixed feeding.
- Why does the CDC chart only go to 36 months?
- From age 2-3, U.S. practice transitions to the CDC 2-20 year chart (also on this site). The 0-36 month chart overlaps with the 2-20 chart from 24-36 months for a smooth handoff.