Toddler percentile calculator (2–5 years)
Track your toddler's growth against WHO or CDC references from 24 to 60 months. At 24 months
the measurement convention changes: length (lying) becomes stature (standing), and many US
clinics switch from the WHO to the CDC reference. This calculator handles both automatically.
The Standard dropdown defaults to "Auto" (WHO under 24mo, CDC from 24mo), which matches the
approach used in most pediatric guidelines. Select WHO or CDC explicitly if you want to lock
to one reference.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the reference switch at 24 months?
Two reasons: at 24 months we switch from measuring length (lying down) to stature (standing), which affects the numbers by roughly 0.5–1 cm; and the WHO charts end at 60 months while CDC continues to 240 months. In the US, most pediatricians switch from WHO to CDC at the 2-year visit.
Should I use WHO or CDC for my toddler?
Between 24 and 60 months, both are valid. WHO describes a 'prescriptive' ideal growth trajectory; CDC describes how US children actually grew in the 1960s–1990s. WHO percentiles tend to run slightly lower for US toddlers. If your clinician uses a specific reference, stick with that; otherwise, either is fine.
What age range does this cover?
24 to 60 months (2 to 5 years). Before 24 months, see the baby calculator. After 60 months, only CDC reference data is available — use the child growth percentile page.
My toddler's height percentile is much lower than their weight percentile — is that a problem?
A large gap between weight and height percentiles can indicate over- or underweight, but toddler body composition is highly variable. If you're concerned, ask your pediatrician — they'll usually track BMI-for-age (a separate chart) from 24 months onward.