3-year-old weight, height and head size
On the WHO growth charts, the median weight at 3 years is 14.3 kg (31.6 lb) for boys and 13.9 kg (30.5 lb) for girls. Most children of this age, between the 3rd and 97th percentiles, weigh 11.4–18.0 kg (25.2–39.8 lb) if they are boys or 11.0–17.8 kg (24.2–39.3 lb) if they are girls.
The median height at 3 years is 96.1 cm (37.8 in) for boys and 95.1 cm (37.4 in) for girls; between the 3rd and 97th percentiles it ranges over 89.1–103.1 cm (35.1–40.6 in) for boys and 87.9–102.2 cm (34.6–40.2 in) for girls. The median head circumference is 49.5 cm (19.5 in) for boys and 48.5 cm (19.1 in) for girls.
Since the age of 24 months, the median boy has gained about 2.2 kg (4.8 lb) and grown 9.0 cm (3.5 in), and the median girl about 2.4 kg (5.2 lb) and 9.3 cm (3.7 in).
WHO percentiles at 3 years
| P3 | P15 | P50 | P85 | P97 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight (kg) Boys | 11.4 | 12.7 | 14.3 | 16.3 | 18.0 |
| Weight (kg) Girls | 11.0 | 12.1 | 13.9 | 15.9 | 17.8 |
| Height (cm) Boys | 89.1 | 92.2 | 96.1 | 99.9 | 103.1 |
| Height (cm) Girls | 87.9 | 91.1 | 95.1 | 99.0 | 102.2 |
| Head circumference (cm) Boys | 46.8 | 48.0 | 49.5 | 50.9 | 52.1 |
| Head circumference (cm) Girls | 45.9 | 47.0 | 48.5 | 50.0 | 51.2 |
These are WHO reference values, not targets: a healthy child can sit anywhere on the chart, and growth over time matters more than one measurement. Values outside the 2nd and 98th percentile lines are worth discussing with a doctor.
Work out your child's exact percentile
Frequently asked questions
How much should a 3-year-old weigh?
On the WHO charts, the median weight at 3 years is 14.3 kg (31.6 lb) for boys and 13.9 kg (30.5 lb) for girls; the 3rd to 97th percentiles span 11.4–18.0 kg (25.2–39.8 lb) for boys and 11.0–17.8 kg (24.2–39.3 lb) for girls.
How long should a 3-year-old be?
The median height at 3 years is 96.1 cm (37.8 in) for boys and 95.1 cm (37.4 in) for girls; the 3rd to 97th percentiles span 89.1–103.1 cm (35.1–40.6 in) for boys and 87.9–102.2 cm (34.6–40.2 in) for girls.
What head circumference is normal at 3 years?
The WHO median head circumference at 3 years is 49.5 cm (19.5 in) for boys and 48.5 cm (19.1 in) for girls, with 3rd to 97th percentiles of 46.8–52.1 cm (18.4–20.5 in) and 45.9–51.2 cm (18.1–20.1 in).
Other ages
- Newborn
- 1 month
- 2 months
- 3 months
- 4 months
- 5 months
- 6 months
- 7 months
- 8 months
- 9 months
- 10 months
- 11 months
- 12 months
- 13 months
- 14 months
- 15 months
- 16 months
- 17 months
- 18 months
- 19 months
- 20 months
- 21 months
- 22 months
- 23 months
- 24 months
- 3 years
- 4 years
- 5 years
Sources
- WHO: Child growth standards (weight-for-age, length/height-for-age, head circumference-for-age)
- Grummer-Strawn LM, Reinold C, Krebs NF. Use of World Health Organization and CDC growth charts for children aged 0–59 months in the United States. MMWR Recomm Rep 2010;59(RR-9)
- NHS: Your baby's weight and height