Puberty Onset: Average Age & Early Puberty in Boys & Girls

The age at which puberty starts can vary widely from person to person. There is a range of ages that are considered to be normal for puberty to begin, but any child who enters puberty before the specified age is considered to have precocious puberty.

- For males: On average, puberty begins between the ages of 9 and 14 years. However, some boys may start as early as 8 years or as late as 16 years of age. Precocious puberty is diagnosed in boys who show signs of puberty before the age of 9.

- For females: On average, puberty starts between the ages of 8 and 13 years. However, some girls may start as early as 7 years of age or as late as 14 years of age. Precocious puberty is diagnosed in girls who show signs of puberty before the age of 8.