InfantChart

Which Growth Chart Should I Use?

With so many growth chart standards available — WHO, CDC, Olsen preterm, Down syndrome, Chinese national — it can be confusing to know which one fits your child. Use this decision guide to find the best match based on age, health conditions, and data standard.

Quick Answer

Start with the Growth Dashboard

Enter measurements once to see every matching WHO and CDC chart, with the AAP-recommended chart highlighted.

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Special situations, including prematurity, Down syndrome, and Chinese national standards, are covered below.

Find Your Chart by Age

0-24 months (under 2 years)

WHO (recommended)

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), CDC, and WHO all recommend WHO standards for children 0-24 months — based on breastfed infants as the growth norm.

WHO Weight-for-Age →WHO Length-for-Age →WHO Head Circumference →WHO Weight-for-Length →

CDC (alternative, 0-36 mo)

CDC 0-36 month charts are still widely available if your pediatrician prefers them, and are the only option covering the 24-36 month window.

CDC Weight-for-Age →CDC Length-for-Age →CDC Head Circumference →CDC Weight-for-Length →

2-5 years

United States (CDC)

US pediatricians typically switch to CDC charts at age 2. CDC 2-20 charts cover weight, stature, and weight-for-stature in this age band.

CDC Weight-for-Age (2-20) →CDC Stature-for-Age (2-20) →CDC Weight-for-Stature →

International (WHO)

WHO growth standards for ages 2-5 are the global default, based on the Multicentre Growth Reference Study.

WHO Weight-for-Age (0-5) →WHO Stature-for-Age (2-5) →WHO Weight-for-Height (2-5) →

5-19 years (school-age and teens)

United States (CDC)

CDC charts cover weight and stature through age 20. For BMI, the CDC now recommends the Extended BMI-for-Age chart, which better captures severe obesity above the 95th percentile.

CDC Weight-for-Age (2-20) →CDC Stature-for-Age (2-20) →CDC Extended BMI-for-Age →

International (WHO)

WHO 5-19 references cover height, weight (to age 10), and BMI-for-age — the standard for children and teens outside the US.

WHO Height-for-Age (5-19) →WHO Weight-for-Age (5-10) →WHO BMI-for-Age (5-19) →

Looking for a BMI chart?

BMI-for-age is the right metric for screening a child over 2 for under- or overweight. In the US, use the CDC Extended BMI-for-Age chart (covers the full 2-20 range and handles BMI values above the 95th percentile accurately). Internationally, use the WHO BMI-for-Age 5-19 reference. For a 12-year-old specifically, either chart works — choose based on which standard your clinician prefers.

Not Sure Between WHO and CDC?

The WHO recommends their charts for all children worldwide under 2 years of age. The AAP and CDC also recommend using WHO charts for children 0-24 months, even in the United States. After age 2, US pediatricians typically transition to CDC growth charts. When in doubt, ask your pediatrician which charts they use.

Special Cases

Premature baby (born before 37 weeks)?

Use Olsen preterm charts (Pediatrics 2010), designed for infants based on gestational age rather than chronological age. Use Olsen from birth until roughly 40 weeks post-menstrual age, then transition to WHO 0-24 with a corrected age until about 24 months.

Olsen Weight-for-Age →Olsen Length-for-Age →Olsen Head Circumference →

Child with Down syndrome?

Use the Zemel 2015 Down syndrome-specific charts, which reflect the unique growth patterns of children with trisomy 21. The AAP recommends plotting Down syndrome children on these charts alongside standard CDC/WHO charts.

DS Weight-for-Age (0-36 mo) →DS Length-for-Age →DS Head Circumference →DS Weight-for-Length →DS Height-for-Age (2-20 yr) →DS BMI-for-Age →

Using Chinese national growth standards?

The Chinese National charts are based on the 2005 Capital Institute of Pediatrics national survey and reflect growth patterns specific to children in China. Commonly used by pediatricians in mainland China.

Chinese Weight-for-Age →Chinese Length-for-Age →Chinese Stature-for-Age →Chinese Head Circumference →Chinese Weight-for-Length →Chinese Weight-for-Stature →

Predicting Adult Height?

If you want to estimate how tall your child will be as an adult, use the Khamis-Roche Height Predictor — a well-validated method that estimates adult height from the child’s current height and weight plus both parents’ heights.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between WHO and CDC growth charts?

WHO charts describe how children should grow under optimal conditions (healthy, breastfed, non-smoking-mother environments across six countries). CDC charts describe how US children actually grew, based on national survey data collected from 1963-1994. For children under 2, WHO charts are preferred because they use breastfed infants as the standard — breastfed babies grow differently than formula-fed ones, and CDC data has too many formula-fed infants to be an accurate norm.

Which growth chart do US pediatricians use?

Most US pediatricians use WHO charts for children 0-24 months, then switch to CDC charts after age 2, following AAP and CDC guidelines published in 2010.

Should I use WHO or CDC BMI charts for my teenager?

In the US, the CDC Extended BMI-for-Age chart is now preferred — it extends the curves above the 95th percentile so severely obese children can be tracked accurately. Outside the US, the WHO 5-19 BMI-for-Age reference is the standard. Either is acceptable for routine screening; the Extended CDC chart is better when BMI is very high.

Do I correct for prematurity on WHO or CDC charts?

Yes. Once a preterm infant reaches 40 weeks post-menstrual age, most clinicians transition from Olsen preterm charts to WHO 0-24 charts using a corrected age (chronological age minus weeks of prematurity) through roughly 24 months. After age 2-3, correction is usually discontinued.

What chart should I use for a child of mixed ancestry?

Use the standard chart for the country you live in — WHO under age 2, then CDC or WHO after. WHO charts are explicitly designed to be applicable across ethnicities. The Chinese national and Down syndrome charts are specialty references, not ancestry-matched alternatives to WHO/CDC.

What are growth percentiles?

A percentile shows where your child falls compared to other children of the same age and sex. For example, the 50th percentile means your child is at the median — half of children weigh more and half weigh less. Being above or below the 50th percentile is usually normal. What matters more is whether your child tracks consistently on their own curve over time.

When should I be concerned about my child’s growth?

Talk to your pediatrician if your child’s percentile changes dramatically (crossing two or more major percentile lines on the chart), or if they consistently fall below the 3rd or above the 97th percentile. A single measurement is less important than the trend over time.

Can I use these charts instead of seeing a doctor?

No. Growth charts are a screening tool, not a diagnostic one. They help you and your pediatrician spot trends worth discussing. Any concern about growth, nutrition, or development should be evaluated by your child’s healthcare provider.

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