The adolescent years are a period of rapid physical change, making height a common point of interest for many teenagers and their families. At age 17, most individuals are nearing the completion of their pubertal growth spurt and are close to reaching their final adult height. Understanding the average measurements provides a reliable benchmark. It is also important to recognize the wide range of heights considered typical for this age, which is informed by health survey data.
Current Average Heights by Gender
Health data from national surveys provides a clear picture of the typical height for 17-year-olds in the United States. For males, the average height is approximately 69.2 inches (5 feet, 9.2 inches), or 175.8 centimeters. This figure represents the 50th percentile, meaning half of 17-year-old males are taller and half are shorter.
Seventeen-year-old females generally have an average height of 64.2 inches (5 feet, 4.2 inches), corresponding to 163.0 centimeters. The difference in average height between genders is primarily due to the timing and intensity of growth hormones and the longer duration of the male growth period.
Typical Height Variation and Percentiles
Height naturally varies significantly across the population, which is best illustrated through percentile charts. Healthcare providers use these charts to determine where an individual’s measurement falls compared to their peers. While the 50th percentile marks the average, a height anywhere between the 3rd and 97th percentile is usually considered a normal pattern of growth.
The 90th percentile represents a height taller than 90 percent of 17-year-olds. For males, the typical range spans from approximately 65.5 inches (166.4 cm) at the 5th percentile to around 73 inches (185.4 cm) at the 95th percentile. For females, the range stretches from about 61 inches (154.9 cm) to roughly 67.5 inches (171.5 cm) across the same percentile lines.
Primary Factors Determining Final Height
Genetic inheritance is the most significant determinant of final adult stature, accounting for up to 80% of height variation. The mid-parental height calculation estimates genetic potential by averaging the parents’ heights. It then adds 5 inches (13 cm) for a boy or subtracts 5 inches (13 cm) for a girl to account for the typical gender difference.
This calculation yields a target height with an expected range of plus or minus 2 to 3 inches. Environmental factors, though secondary, are important in ensuring an individual reaches their full potential. Adequate nutrition, including sufficient intake of protein, calcium, and Vitamin D, supports the bone and tissue development necessary for growth.
The quality and duration of sleep are also important, as the body releases the majority of its growth hormone during deep sleep cycles. Chronic childhood illnesses or significant nutritional deficiencies can interfere with maximizing genetic height potential.
Adolescent Growth Plate Status
Whether a 17-year-old is still growing depends on the status of their growth plates, technically known as epiphyseal plates. These are layers of cartilage near the ends of long bones where new bone tissue is generated. Growth in height ceases when these plates completely harden into solid bone, a process called epiphyseal fusion or closure.
For most females, growth plates typically close earlier, often between the ages of 13 and 15, meaning their height is almost certainly finalized by age 17. Males generally experience a longer growth period, with plates closing between 15 and 17 years old on average. Some 17-year-old males may still experience minor, residual height gain until their growth plates fully fuse.