Head Circumference for Girls, Birth to 36 Months

Charts, Graphs, & Diagrams > Health Charts > Head Circumference for Girls, Birth to 36 Months

Head Circumference for Girls, Birth to 36 Months

Find your child's growth percentile based on age and height.

Description and comments

This chart shows the head circumference percentiles for girls from birth to 36 months.

How to read the percentile chart

The curved lines show head circumference percentiles. For example, the top curved line shows the 95% percentile, which means that 95% of girls are at or under that value.

The bottom of the chart shows ages, from birth to 36 months. The left and right sides of the chart show head circumference measurements.

The chart shows that at birth 95% of girls have a head circumference less than 15 inches (about 38 centimeters) and 5% are less than 12.5 inches (32 cm). At 36 months (3 years) 95% of girls are less than 20.5 inches (about 51 cm) and about 5% are less than 18 inches (46 cm).

Find your child's head circumference on either side, and read horizontally across until you reach the vertical line for your child's age. Then see where that point is among the percentile lines.

For example, a girl with a head circumference of 18.5 inches (47 cm) tall and 21 months old is just above the 50% percentile.

Consult your physician if you are concerned about your child's growth.

About this chart

The chart is taken directly from the Centers for Disease Control National Center for Health Statistics. We converted it from a PDF file into a web graphic. You can view and print the PDF version here if you would like to record your child's growth.

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