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When do girls stop growing?
Updated 13 October 2026 · Educational guide, not medical advice
Most girls stop growing between 14 and 16, usually one to two years after their first period. Their fastest growth is earlier, typically between 10 and 12.
When girls grow fastest
Girls usually start puberty between 8 and 13. The first sign is normally breast development, and the growth spurt follows soon after. For most girls it peaks around 11 to 12, when they can grow 6 to 8 cm in a single year.
That's why many girls are taller than boys the same age at 11 or 12. Boys start their growth spurt about two years later and usually catch up and overtake them by 14 or 15.
How much do girls grow after their first period?
Periods usually start a little after the fastest growth has passed. Most girls grow about 5 to 7 cm more after their first period, spread over the next one to two years. Growth slows steadily during that time until it stops.
In the UK the average age for a first period is around 12 to 13, but anywhere from 8 to 16 can be normal. A girl whose periods start later often keeps growing for longer.
Signs a girl is close to her adult height
- It's been one to two years since her first period.
- Her height has barely changed over the last 6 to 12 months.
- Her shoe size has stopped changing. Feet usually stop growing before height does.
- Her body shape looks more adult, with hips and breasts largely developed.
Typical heights for girls in their teens
| Age | Average height (UK) |
|---|---|
| 10 | 138 cm (4'6") |
| 12 | 151 cm (4'11") |
| 14 | 160 cm (5'3") |
| 16 | 163 cm (5'4") |
| Adult | about 163 cm (5'4") |
These are approximate middle (50th centile) values from UK growth charts. Half of girls are taller and half are shorter. See the full table in our average child height by age guide.
Will my daughter be tall or short?
Parents' heights are the best single guide. A quick estimate for girls is (Dad's height + Mum's height − 13 cm) ÷ 2, give or take about 8.5 cm. Our free height calculator does the maths for you in cm or feet and inches.
What helps a girl reach her natural height
- Sleep: 9 to 12 hours for primary-age girls and 8 to 10 for teenagers. Growth hormone is mostly released in deep sleep.
- Enough food: regular meals with protein and calcium, especially during the growth spurt when appetite rises.
- Activity: around an hour a day keeps bones and muscles strong.
None of these will make a girl taller than her genes allow, but they help her grow to her own potential.
When to see a GP
- Signs of puberty before 8, or none by 13.
- No first period by 15.
- Growth seems to have stopped well before her periods start.
- She's dropping across growth chart lines or is much shorter than family members.
How tall will your child be?
Enter Mum's and Dad's heights for an estimated adult height range. Free, takes 10 seconds.
Try the height calculatorFrequently asked questions
Do girls grow after 16?
Most girls are at or very close to their adult height by 16. Some, especially those whose periods started late, grow a little more, usually less than 2 cm.
How much do girls grow after their first period?
Usually about 5 to 7 cm in total, over roughly one to two years.
At what age do girls have their growth spurt?
Typically between 10 and 14, with the fastest growth around 11 to 12.
More guides
Sources
- RCPCH: UK-WHO growth charts, 2–18 years
- NHS: Early or delayed puberty
- CDC: Growth charts
- Tanner JM, Whitehouse RH. Clinical longitudinal standards for height, weight, height velocity and stages of puberty. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 1976.
This guide is for general information only and isn't medical advice. If you're worried about your child's growth or development, speak to your GP or health visitor.