When do Girls Stop Growing

Parents often notice that girls seem to grow quickly during the early teenage years and then suddenly slow down. This leads to a common question:

When do girls stop growing?

Most girls experience their fastest height growth during puberty and reach most of their adult height by the mid-to-late teenage years. Because girls typically begin puberty earlier than boys, they also usually stop growing in height earlier.[1,2]

However, there is no exact age when every girl stops growing.

The timing depends on several factors, including:

• Genetics
• Age puberty begins
• Timing of the first menstrual period
• Growth velocity
• Nutrition and overall health
• Hormone function
• Bone age and growth plate maturity

A girl who begins puberty relatively early may finish growing earlier, while a late bloomer may continue gaining height longer.

Understanding the normal female growth timeline can help parents distinguish typical development from a growth pattern that may deserve closer evaluation.

Key Takeaways

• Girls usually experience their major growth spurt earlier than boys.[1]
• Puberty in girls normally begins between approximately ages 8 and 13.[2]
• The fastest height growth generally occurs before the first menstrual period.
• Girls typically continue growing somewhat after their first period, but the rate usually slows considerably.[1]
• Most girls have completed the majority of their height growth by approximately ages 15–16, although individual variation is normal.
• Feet may stop growing before overall physical development is complete.
• Breast development continues through puberty and does not follow an exact age cutoff.
• Chronological age alone cannot determine whether growth has finished.
• Growth velocity, puberty stage, and bone age can help assess remaining growth potential.
• Once the growth plates completely fuse, additional natural long-bone height growth is no longer possible.

Understanding the Growth Timeline in Girls

Growth occurs in stages rather than at a constant rate.

A girl's body grows rapidly during infancy, more steadily during childhood, and then accelerates again during puberty.

Birth Through Early Childhood

The first years of life are characterized by rapid growth.

Growth then gradually slows as children enter the school-age years.

Childhood Before Puberty

During middle childhood, girls generally experience relatively steady growth.

The CDC recommends tracking height using age- and sex-specific growth charts throughout childhood and adolescence.[3]

A girl's exact percentile is less important than whether she is following an appropriate growth pattern over time.

Puberty

Puberty creates another major acceleration in growth.

For girls, puberty typically begins between approximately ages 8 and 13.[2]

One of the earliest signs is usually breast development.

Height then accelerates, producing the adolescent growth spurt.

When Do Girls Stop Growing in Height?

For many girls, height growth slows substantially around ages 14–16, although some girls may continue gaining a small amount of height afterward.

Rather than thinking of age 15 or 16 as a universal cutoff, it is better to consider the girl's pubertal stage.

A girl who began puberty at age 8 may approach adult height much earlier than a girl who did not begin puberty until age 12 or 13.

Therefore, when asking “when do girls stop growing in height?”, the answer depends largely on when puberty began and how far skeletal development has progressed.

When Do Girls Have Their Biggest Growth Spurt?

Girls typically experience their fastest height growth relatively early during puberty.

This growth acceleration usually occurs before the first menstrual period.

The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that the peak growth period in girls generally occurs before menarche, after which growth begins slowing.[1]

This explains why a girl may suddenly grow several inches during early adolescence and then grow much more slowly over the following years.

Do Girls Stop Growing When They Get Their Period?

No.

This is one of the most common misconceptions about female growth.

Getting a first period does not mean height growth immediately stops.

Girls usually continue gaining some height after menarche.

However, the majority of the pubertal growth spurt has typically already occurred by this point, and growth usually slows considerably afterward.[1]

How much height remains varies from person to person.

Factors include:

• Age at first period
• Bone age
• Genetics
• Puberty timing
• Growth velocity
• Overall health

So rather than viewing the first menstrual period as the moment growth stops, it is better viewed as a sign that a girl is progressing toward the later stages of skeletal development.

How Much Do Girls Grow After Their First Period?

Many girls gain additional height after their first menstrual period, but there is considerable individual variation.

Girls who experience menarche relatively early may sometimes have more remaining growth than girls who begin menstruating later in skeletal development.

This is why predicting final height from menstruation alone can be misleading.

A more complete growth potential assessment considers:

• Recent height changes
• Current height percentile
• Parental height
• Puberty stage
• Bone age

Can Girls Still Grow at 14?

Yes.

Many 14-year-old girls are still gaining height.

For some, growth may already be slowing substantially.

For others—particularly later-developing girls—meaningful growth may remain.

Chronological age alone does not determine whether the growth plates are still active.

Can Girls Still Grow at 16?

Possibly.

By age 16, many girls are close to their adult height, but not every girl has completed skeletal development.

Girls who entered puberty later may continue growing longer.

If determining remaining growth potential is important, a bone age assessment can provide additional information about skeletal maturity.

Why Do Girls Stop Growing Earlier Than Boys?

Girls generally enter puberty earlier than boys.

Because the adolescent growth spurt and eventual growth plate maturation are linked to puberty, girls typically experience both processes earlier.

Sex hormones play a central role.

In both girls and boys, estrogen signaling contributes importantly to skeletal maturation and eventual growth plate fusion.[4]

Girls typically experience these pubertal hormonal changes earlier, shifting their entire adolescent growth timeline forward.

This is why girls may temporarily be taller than boys of the same age during early adolescence, while boys often experience their major growth spurt later.

What Are Growth Plates?

Growth plates are areas of developing cartilage located near the ends of long bones.

They allow bones to lengthen during childhood and adolescence.

As puberty progresses, these areas gradually mature.

Eventually, the growth plates fuse and are replaced by mature bone.

Once this process is complete:

Natural long-bone height growth is no longer possible.

This is why growth plate status is more important than chronological age when assessing whether additional height may remain.

When Do Girls' Growth Plates Close?

There is no exact age when all female growth plates close.

Closure occurs progressively as puberty and skeletal maturation advance.

For most girls, this process occurs during the teenage years.

Rather than assuming growth plates are closed because a girl reaches a particular birthday, clinicians may consider:

• Growth velocity
• Menstrual history
• Puberty stage
• Bone age
• Previous height measurements

A girl who is no longer gaining measurable height and has advanced skeletal maturity is more likely to be approaching or to have reached final height.

When Do Girls' Feet Stop Growing?

Another common question is:

When do girls' feet stop growing?

Feet often undergo rapid growth relatively early in puberty.

The hands and feet may enlarge before the rest of the body completes its pubertal growth spurt.[1]

For many girls, foot growth slows considerably by the mid-teenage years.

However, there is no universal age when every girl's feet stop growing.

A girl who begins puberty early may reach her adult shoe size earlier than a late bloomer.

Does Shoe Size Tell You How Tall a Girl Will Be?

No.

Foot size and height are related to overall skeletal development, but shoe size cannot accurately predict adult height.

Large feet do not guarantee that a girl will become tall.

Likewise, feet stopping growth does not prove that every growth plate in the body has fused.

Shoe size is only one physical clue within a much larger developmental picture.

Average Foot Size for Girls at Different Ages

Parents sometimes search for average shoe sizes by age, but these measurements vary considerably.

Foot size is affected by:

• Genetics
• Height
• Body proportions
• Puberty timing
• Individual skeletal development

For that reason, shoe size charts should not be used as a medical assessment of growth.

Tracking changes in shoe size over time may be more informative than comparing a girl's feet with a population average.

When Do Girls' Breasts Stop Growing?

Parents and teenagers also commonly wonder when girls' breasts stop growing.

Breast development is one of the earliest visible signs of female puberty.

Development usually begins between approximately ages 8 and 13, although normal variation exists.[2]

Breasts then continue developing throughout puberty.

There is no specific age at which breast development suddenly stops.

For many girls, the majority of pubertal breast development is completed during the later teenage years, but breast size and shape can continue changing into adulthood.

Understanding the Breast Development Timeline

Doctors often describe female pubertal development using Tanner stages.

Breast development generally progresses through five stages:

Tanner Stage 1

No pubertal breast development.

Tanner Stage 2

Breast budding begins. This is often one of the first signs of puberty.

Tanner Stage 3

Breast tissue continues enlarging.

Tanner Stage 4

Further development of the breast and areola occurs.

Tanner Stage 5

Mature adult breast contour is reached.

The speed of progression varies considerably among girls.

When Do Girls Stop Growing Breasts?

There is no exact age.

Breast development generally continues throughout puberty and may continue changing even after height growth has largely finished.

This distinction is important.

Stopping height growth does not necessarily mean breast development or overall body maturation has completely stopped.

Breast size may also change later because of:

• Weight changes
• Hormonal changes
• Menstrual cycles
• Pregnancy
• Medications
• Aging

Therefore, searches such as “when do girls stop growing boobs?” and “when do girls stop growing breasts?” do not have one universal age-based answer.

What Factors Affect Breast Development?

Genetics

Family patterns strongly influence breast size and body development.

Hormones

Estrogen and other hormones influence breast development during puberty.

Body Composition

Breasts contain fatty tissue, so changes in body composition can affect breast size.

Puberty Timing

Girls who begin puberty earlier generally begin breast development earlier.

Variation in breast size and development between girls is extremely common.

What Is the Average Height for Girls?

Parents frequently compare their daughter's height with classmates, but standardized growth charts provide a more useful comparison.

According to CDC stature-for-age growth charts, the average height for girls changes rapidly throughout childhood and adolescence.[3]

Approximate median heights include:

Age	Approximate Median Height
8	~4'2"
10	~4'6"
12	~4'11"
14	~5'3"
16	~5'4"
18	~5'4"

These figures are approximations from U.S. growth-chart data and should not be interpreted as the height a particular girl should be.

Healthy girls can be considerably shorter or taller.

What matters clinically is the combination of:

• Height percentile
• Growth velocity
• Family height
• Puberty timing
• Overall health

Genetics and a Girl's Final Height

Genetics is one of the strongest influences on adult height.

Tall parents are more likely to have taller children, while shorter parents are more likely to have shorter children.

Clinicians can use parental heights to estimate a target height range.

However, this is only an estimate.

Final height is also influenced by:

• Puberty timing
• Nutrition
• Hormonal health
• Chronic illness
• Skeletal development

Two sisters with the same parents can still reach different adult heights.

Does Nutrition Affect How Tall a Girl Grows?

Adequate nutrition is essential for normal growth.

Growing girls need sufficient:

• Calories
• Protein
• Calcium
• Vitamin D
• Iron
• Zinc
• Other micronutrients

Nutritional deficiencies or inadequate calorie intake can interfere with normal growth and puberty.

However, extra vitamins or supplements do not generally make a well-nourished girl grow beyond her genetic potential.

The goal is to provide the body with what it needs for normal development, not to artificially force additional height.

Can Sleep Affect Growth?

Healthy sleep supports normal childhood and adolescent development.

Growth hormone is secreted in pulses, with significant secretion associated with sleep.

Chronic sleep deprivation or untreated sleep disorders may interfere with overall health.

However, sleeping longer than necessary does not make someone exceed their genetically influenced height potential.

Consistent, age-appropriate sleep is the goal.

Why Growth Velocity Matters More Than One Height Measurement

A girl can be shorter than average and completely healthy.

What often matters more is how she is growing over time.

Growth velocity measures the change in height over a particular period.

For example:

A girl who remains near the 10th percentile while growing steadily may simply be naturally shorter.

A girl who was previously near the 50th percentile and progressively falls toward the 10th percentile may deserve closer evaluation.

This is why doctors review the entire growth chart rather than focusing on a single height measurement.

What Is Bone Age?

A bone age X-ray is commonly performed using the hand and wrist to estimate skeletal maturity.

Bone age may help determine whether development is:

• Appropriate for chronological age
• Delayed
• Advanced

It can also provide additional information about remaining growth potential.[5]

For example, two girls who are both 14 years old may have different skeletal maturity.

One may be approaching adult height.

The other may have delayed bone age and more time remaining for growth.

What Causes Girls to Grow More Slowly Than Expected?

There are many possibilities.

Some are normal variations.

Others deserve medical evaluation.

Potential explanations include:

Familial Short Stature

The girl is naturally shorter because of family genetics but grows at an appropriate rate.

Constitutional Growth Delay

Puberty and skeletal maturation occur later than average.

Nutritional Problems

Insufficient calorie or nutrient intake may impair growth.

Thyroid Disorders

Low thyroid hormone can slow linear growth.

Growth Hormone Deficiency

Growth hormone deficiency can reduce growth velocity and may require endocrine evaluation.

Chronic Medical Conditions

Celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, kidney disease, and other chronic illnesses can affect growth.

The purpose of evaluation is to determine why growth is occurring at its current rate, not simply whether a child is shorter than average.

When Should Parents Be Concerned About a Girl's Growth?

Consider discussing growth with a healthcare professional if your daughter:

• Is falling progressively through height percentiles
• Has persistent poor growth velocity
• Is substantially shorter than expected based on family height
• Has not shown signs of puberty by approximately age 13
• Has unexplained weight loss or poor weight gain
• Has chronic gastrointestinal symptoms
• Has significant fatigue or other symptoms
• Has abnormal thyroid, IGF-1, or other growth-related testing

Being short by itself does not necessarily indicate a medical problem.

The pattern of growth is what matters.

How Doctors Assess Remaining Growth Potential

A comprehensive growth potential assessment may include:

Growth Chart Review

Previous measurements show whether the girl has maintained her growth trajectory.

Growth Velocity

Doctors calculate how quickly height is changing.

Family Height

Parental height helps estimate genetic expectations.

Puberty Assessment

Pubertal development provides information about where the child is in her growth timeline.

Menstrual History

The timing of menarche provides additional context.

Bone Age

Skeletal maturity can help estimate whether additional growth remains.

Laboratory Testing

Depending on the clinical situation, testing may include:

• IGF-1
• IGFBP-3
• Thyroid function
• Celiac screening
• Blood count
• Metabolic testing

Not every child needs every test.

Can HGH Make a Girl Taller After She Stops Growing?

No.

Human growth hormone can support linear growth in appropriately selected children while active growth plates remain.

Once growth plates have completely fused, HGH cannot reopen them or restart normal long-bone growth.

Growth hormone treatment is also not appropriate simply because a healthy child wants to become taller.

When treatment is considered, diagnosis, growth velocity, skeletal maturity, expected benefit, and potential risks should all be evaluated.

The Bottom Line: When Do Girls Stop Growing?

So, when do girls stop growing?

Most girls experience their fastest height growth during puberty and complete most of their linear growth by the mid-to-late teenage years.

However, there is no universal age.

The most important factors include:

• Genetics
• Puberty timing
• Age at first menstrual period
• Growth velocity
• Bone age
• Growth plate maturity
• Nutrition
• Hormonal health
• Overall health

Girls typically stop growing earlier than boys because puberty and skeletal maturation generally begin earlier.

Feet may finish growing before overall physical development is complete, while breast development can continue changing even after height has stabilized.

For parents wondering whether their daughter has more height remaining, the most useful questions are not simply:

“How old is she?”

Instead, consider:

How much has she grown over the past year?

Where is she in puberty?

When did she begin menstruating?

What does her bone age show?

Are her growth plates still active?

Together, these provide a much clearer picture of remaining growth potential.

Concerned About Your Daughter's Growth?

If your daughter is growing more slowly than expected, falling on her growth chart, experiencing delayed puberty, or is significantly shorter than expected from family height, a pediatric growth evaluation can help determine whether her development is within a normal pattern.

At HGH for Children, a growth evaluation may consider:

• Height percentile
• Growth velocity
• Family height
• Puberty timing
• Menstrual history
• Bone age
• IGF-1
• Growth hormone deficiency
• Predicted adult height
• Remaining growth potential

The goal is not to assume that a shorter girl needs treatment. It is to determine whether she is growing normally for her individual developmental timeline or whether an underlying issue deserves additional evaluation.

Medically Reviewed By

Dr. Devin Stone, ND

Dr. Devin Stone, ND is a licensed naturopathic doctor and founder of HGHforChildren.com. His clinical focus includes pediatric growth evaluation, short stature assessment, delayed puberty, bone age analysis, growth hormone deficiency screening, IGF-1 interpretation, skeletal maturity assessment, and individualized growth planning for children and adolescents.

Through HGHforChildren.com, Dr. Stone educates families about childhood growth patterns, height prediction, growth velocity, bone age, puberty, growth plate development, and treatment options when medically appropriate.

Medical References

1. American Academy of Pediatrics. Physical Development in Girls: What to Expect During Puberty. HealthyChildren.org. American Academy of Pediatrics. Reviews female puberty, the adolescent growth spurt, menarche, and normal physical development.

2. Pediatric Endocrine Society. Delayed Puberty in Girls: A Guide for Families. Pediatric Endocrine Society. Reviews normal timing of puberty in girls, delayed puberty, breast development, menstruation, and growth patterns.

3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC Growth Charts: United States. National Center for Health Statistics. Provides stature-for-age reference data for U.S. girls and boys from ages 2 through 20.

4. Weise M, De-Levi S, Barnes KM, Gafni RI, Abad V, Baron J. Effects of estrogen on growth plate senescence and epiphyseal fusion. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 2001;98(12):6871–6876. Reviews estrogen's role in growth plate maturation and epiphyseal fusion.

5. Satoh M. Bone age: assessment methods and clinical applications. Clinical Pediatric Endocrinology. 2015;24(4):143–152. Reviews bone-age assessment, skeletal maturity, puberty, growth disorders, and clinical evaluation of remaining growth potential.

6. Collett-Solberg PF, Ambler G, Backeljauw PF, et al. Diagnosis, genetics, and therapy of short stature in children: a Growth Hormone Research Society International Perspective. Hormone Research in Paediatrics. 2019;92(1):1–14. Reviews the clinical evaluation of childhood short stature, growth velocity, skeletal maturation, and endocrine causes of impaired growth.