Most 5-year-olds weigh between 33 and 49 pounds, with the average right around 40 pounds. Boys and girls at this age are close in size, though boys tend to weigh slightly more. Where your child falls in that range depends on genetics, nutrition, activity level, and their individual growth pattern.
Average Weight for 5-Year-Old Boys and Girls
Based on the CDC growth charts, the 50th percentile (the statistical midpoint) for a 5-year-old boy is about 40.5 pounds. For a 5-year-old girl, it’s about 39.5 pounds. That means half of all children weigh more and half weigh less.
Here’s a broader picture of the range at age 5:
- 10th percentile: roughly 33 to 34 pounds
- 25th percentile: roughly 36 to 37 pounds
- 50th percentile: roughly 39 to 41 pounds
- 75th percentile: roughly 43 to 45 pounds
- 90th percentile: roughly 48 to 50 pounds
A child at the 25th percentile is not “too thin,” and a child at the 75th percentile is not “too heavy.” Percentiles describe where a child sits relative to other kids the same age. What matters most is whether they’re growing consistently along their own curve over time.
What Percentiles Actually Tell You
Pediatricians track your child’s weight on a growth chart at every well-child visit. The number they care about isn’t any single measurement. It’s the pattern. A child who has always followed the 25th percentile is growing normally for their body. A child who drops from the 60th percentile to the 15th over six months, or jumps from the 50th to the 95th, may need a closer look.
For children ages 2 through 19, the CDC uses BMI-for-age percentiles (which factor in both height and weight) to categorize weight status:
- Underweight: below the 5th percentile
- Healthy weight: 5th percentile up to the 85th percentile
- Overweight: 85th percentile up to the 95th percentile
- Obesity: 95th percentile or above
Because children are still growing, a BMI number alone doesn’t mean much without comparing it to age and sex norms. A BMI of 17 means something very different in a 5-year-old than in a 15-year-old. That’s why pediatricians plot it on age-specific charts rather than using the adult BMI categories you might be familiar with.
Why Kids the Same Age Can Weigh So Differently
A 33-pound 5-year-old and a 50-pound 5-year-old can both be perfectly healthy. Several factors explain the wide range.
Genetics plays the biggest role. Taller parents tend to have taller, heavier children. A child’s body frame, whether naturally stocky or lean, is largely inherited. Ethnicity also influences growth patterns, as children from different backgrounds may follow slightly different trajectories while still being completely healthy.
Height matters a lot at this age. A 5-year-old who is 45 inches tall will naturally weigh more than one who is 40 inches tall, even if both are proportional and fit. That’s why BMI-for-age is a better measure of weight status than weight alone. Nutrition, sleep, physical activity, and overall health all contribute too, but genetics and height account for most of the normal variation you see among kindergartners.
Growth Patterns at Age 5
Five-year-olds are past the rapid weight gain of infancy and toddlerhood. Between ages 2 and 5, most children gain about 4 to 5 pounds per year. That pace continues into the early elementary years before picking up again closer to puberty. So if your 5-year-old seems to be growing slowly compared to their baby years, that’s expected.
Children at this age also start to lose the rounded belly and chubby cheeks of toddlerhood. They get leaner and more proportional as they stretch upward. Some kids look noticeably thinner during this phase even though they’re gaining weight steadily. This is sometimes called the “adiposity rebound,” a normal shift where body fat decreases before gradually increasing again through later childhood.
How to Check Your Child’s Growth at Home
If you’re curious where your child falls, you can plot their numbers yourself using the CDC’s online BMI calculator for children and teens. You’ll need their exact age (in years and months), height, and weight. The tool will give you their BMI percentile and weight status category.
For the most accurate weight, weigh your child in light clothing without shoes, ideally in the morning. For height, have them stand flat against a wall with their heels, back, and head touching the surface, and use a flat object like a book pressed against the top of their head to mark the spot.
Keep in mind that a single measurement is just a snapshot. Growth charts are designed to track trends over months and years. If your child’s weight has been consistent relative to their height and they’re active, eating a variety of foods, and hitting developmental milestones, they’re likely right on track regardless of whether the number is 35 pounds or 48.