Average Height for a 11-Year-Old Boy
Age 11 is where the variance opens up. A small number of boys have already started puberty and are pulling ahead of classmates. Most 11-year-olds are still pre-puberty. Both patterns are normal. This makes the raw percentile less useful at 11 than at 10, and the family-height context more useful.
The 50th-percentile height for a 11-year-old boy in the U.S. is 143.3 cm (4' 8.4"). Here is what that number actually means, and where your son fits.
Full percentile table for 11-year-old boys
| Percentile | Feet & inches | Centimeters |
|---|---|---|
| 5th | 4' 4.1" | 132.4 |
| 10th | 4' 5.0" | 134.7 |
| 25th | 4' 6.6" | 138.7 |
| 50th (median) | 4' 8.4" | 143.3 |
| 75th | 4' 10.3" | 148.0 |
| 90th | 4' 12.0" | 152.3 |
| 95th | 5' 1.0" | 155.0 |
Where does your son fall?
Enter his current height. See his percentile against CDC data for 11-year-old boys.
Reading the number when some classmates started puberty and yours has not
The average (50th percentile) height for a 11-year-old boy in the U.S. is 143.3 cm (4' 8.4"). That means about half of 11-year-old boys are taller than this, and half are shorter. It does not mean anything is wrong with a 11-year-old who is taller or shorter, every percentile from about the 3rd to the 97th falls within the range of typical variation.
Two patterns you might be seeing right now
At age 11, a small percentage of boys have started puberty. Most haven't yet. This is when the height gap between kids in the same grade starts to widen, early developers pull ahead, and late developers stay in the pre-puberty growth pattern of 2 to 2.5 inches per year.
Puberty timing is the main variable. A boy who started puberty at 10 can already be 2-3 inches ahead of a boy who won't start until 13. Both are normal.
When 11 is the right age to bring it up
Height alone is rarely diagnostic. What pediatricians look for at age 11:
- Height below the 3rd percentile with no family history to explain it.
- Sustained crossing of percentile lines downward.
- Growth velocity below 2 inches per year.
- No signs of puberty is still normal at 11, but the pediatrician may check bone-age imaging if percentile has been declining.
If any of these apply, that is a conversation to bring to his next visit, ideally with 6-12 months of measurements in hand.
Frequently asked questions
Is my 11-year-old short?
4' 6" (137 cm) puts an 11-year-old around the 15-20th percentile. Shorter side, but often just late puberty timing.
What if my 11-year-old is tall?
5' 0" (152 cm) at age 11 is roughly the 95th percentile, tall, usually a signal of early puberty or tall family.
Do boys still grow after 11?
Yes, most 11-year-old boys have 5+ years of growth ahead. Peak height velocity typically hits between 13 and 15.
How much should a 11-year-old grow in a year?
2 to 2.5 inches per year pre-puberty; 3-4 inches per year if he's hit the growth spurt.
Height data comes from the CDC 2000 Growth Charts (stature-for-age for boys). This page is parent education, not medical advice or diagnosis. If you have concerns about your 11-year-old's growth, talk to his pediatrician, ideally with 6-12 months of measurements. © 2026 The Growth Path.