Predicted Adult Height: Mid-Parental Height Formula

The mid-parental height method estimates a child’s genetic height potential:

• Boys: (Father’s height + Mother’s height + 13 cm) / 2
• Girls: (Father’s height + Mother’s height – 13 cm) / 2

Example: Father 164 cm (5'4"), Mother 160 cm (5'3") → Boy: (164 + 160 + 13) / 2 = 168.5 cm (~5'6.3"). The article’s calculation (5'8") appears to use inches with a +2.1 inch adjustment; metric is standard.

Limitations

• ±5–8 cm (2–3 in) prediction interval.
• Assumes no major endocrine, nutritional, or chronic disease.
• Genetic variance, secular trends, epigenetics modify outcome.

Serial height measurements on growth charts are more informative than a single prediction.