Have I hit my growth spurt yet? It can be hard to see the signs of the teenage growth spurt, but they are there during the teenage years.
While teens grow fast and their bodies change tremendously during puberty, knowing what to expect about those changes can ease the constant questions and worry.
Learn the common signs of the teenage growth spurt, including typical height patterns during growth and the classic symptoms.
What is a Growth Spurt?
A growth spurt is a rapid phase of physical maturation in infants or teens, generally, where intense linear growth (height) and weight gain occurs in a short span of time.
For example, in infancy, babies triple their weight by one year. In adolescence, boys and girls grow taller and put on weight in the form of muscle and fat tissue.
As a mom of four teens, I have been through the teen growth spurt a few times.
With three teen daughters, I have watched and endured the physical and emotional changes.
Now, I am watching my fourth, and only son, morph before my eyes.
While the growth spurt symptoms are different this time around, some things are the same.
From disengaging responses like “I don’t want to talk about it,” to pushing away the spontaneous embraces and morning wake-up kisses, the growth spurt is not for the weary of heart.
The world turns differently when you’re a teen and you’re growing fast.
Asa pediatric nutritionist, I get all kinds of questions about this topic, so I thought I’d answer a few of them here, before I dig into the the typical growth spurt symptoms.
You’ll learn the teen growth spurt signs and symptoms, when it begins and how long it lasts, and the common signs indicating a growth spurt is happening.
How Long Does this Rapid Growth Last?
Puberty is a period of growth during which bodies change and the teen growth spurt happens.
The whole process can last a while, but the typical growth spurt — or the peak growth phase when all the noticeable growth happens — lasts aboutthree yearsor so.
Of course, everyone is different and they experience the growth spurt at different rates. Some start early and others start later.
In my experience, there are early bloomers and late growth spurts, so it can be hard to predict the individual patterns of growth.
Growth Spurt Ages for Boys and Girls
The teenage growth spurt varies by gender, with different timing of onset and rates of growth.
Girls tend to experience their growth spurt earlier than boys, nearly two years earlier.
Boys Growth Spurt
Many resources will tell you that peak growth in boys begins at aroundage 9 and stops at age 16. That’s a wide range! This accounts for the variability of when puberty starts and ends.
Interestingly, some boys continue to grow in college. These boys tend to have late growth spurts.
Growth Spurts in Girls
What about girls? Generally, girls begin the pubertal growth spurt aroundage 8.When do girls stop growing?
Like boys, it varies with each child, but generally, girls are done growing at aroundage 15.
How Many Inches Do You Grow During the Adolescent Growth Spurt?
Typically, in that intense phase of the growth spurt, or that three years between ages 12 and 15 years for boys (generally speaking) and between ages 10 and 13 for girls, a child’s height gains are about 4 inches per year for boys and 3 to 3.5 inches per year for girls.
Even though the teen growth spurt is an inevitable phase of growth during the teen years, knowing this doesn’t make the adjustment any easier, on parents or teens.
Growth Spurts: Average Height in Boys (Based on Age)
Here’s a sample of average heights for boys. Remember, these are simply a translation of the growth chart average:
- Average Height for a 9 year old boy 52”
- Average Height for a 10 year old boy 54.5”
- Average Height for a 11 year old boy 56.5”
- Average Height for a 12 year old boy 58 2/3”
- Average Height for a 13 year old boy 61.5”
- Average Height for a 14 year old boy 64.5”
- Average Height for a 15 year old boy ~67”
- Average Height for a 16 year old boy 68 1/3”
- Average Height for a 17 year old boy 69”
- Average Height for a 18 year old boy 69 1/3”
[Read more:When Do Boys Stop Growing?]
Growth Spurts: Average Height for Teenage Girl (Based on Age)
And here’s a sample of the average heights for girls. Again, remember, this is a growth chart translation of the 50%ile median for age:
- Average Height for a 9 year old girl 52”
- Average Height for a 10 year old girl 54.5”
- Average Height for a 11 year old girl 56.5”
- Average Height for a 12 year old girl 59.5”
- Average Height for a 13 year old girl 62”
- Average Height for a 14 year old girl 63.5”
- Average Height for a 15 year old girl 64”
Read more:When Do Girls Stop Growing?
Signs of Growth Spurts: 13 Tell-Tale Signs of Physical Development
How do you know if your teen is in a growth spurt?
Or, if you’re a teen, how to tell if you’re growing?
The signs of a growth spurt make it quite obvious.
Signs of maturity are a big piece of the growth spurt.
Girls become hippy, leggy and buxom, while boys boast more muscles and hair. For both boys and girls, the rate of changes will be individualized, and mostly be influenced by genetic inheritance.
The following are some typical signs that your teen is in a growth spurt:
- High Waters: Pants are Too Short
- Big Feet: One of the First Signs
- Long Bones: Growth and Development
- Hair: Everywhere!
- What’s that Odor?
- The Emotional Roller-Coaster: Emotional Changes
- Man-Hunger: High Appetite
- More Snacking: Hungry Teens
- Plus-size Portions
- Pimples: Acne and Skin Changes
- Voice: Changes
1. High Waters: Pants are Too Short
Back-to-school shopping and all the new clothes are exciting to add to the wardrobe.
What’s decidedlynotexciting is when those new clothes don’t last. They don’t fit well anymore.
Those brand new school pants quickly become “high waters.” Ill-fitting—too tight in the bum and too short, evidenced by the white sports socks peeking out between the hem and shoe.
This is a sign your teen is growing taller and filling out.
2. Big Feet: One of the First Signs
The feet are one of the first indicators of an uptick in growth. Toes may press through sneaker fabric and threaten to bust through at any moment!
Gone are the days of the annual shoe purchase—you’re probably buying new shoes every four months or so when your teen is in a growth spurt.
By the way, when will someone invent an expanding shoe?
3. Big Joints: Knobby Knees & Bony Hips
Knees, elbows, shoulders, and shoulder blades look abnormally robust, painfully knobby, and may poke out of shirts and pants.
The muscle and fat stores have not caught up yet.
Teens don’t usually “fill out” until they’ve gained some height.
Below, I have a height predictor tool that will help you assess where your teen is along the growth spectrum.
4. Long Bones: Growth and Development
Gangly is the word to describe what used to be a compact child who looked proportionate.
Now your teen’s bones are growing longer, which shows up in height and longer arms.
If you notice the wrists are popping out of those long sleeves, it’s a pretty good indicator that the bones are growing.
5. Hair Growth
The downy blond or light brown hair dusting the arms and legs of your child becomes darker and coarser during puberty and the teen growth spurt.
Hair sprouts under the armpits, in the groin area, and boys experience facial hair.
6. Shape Changes: Shoulders Wider & Hips Broader
The frame (and body shape) of your teenager changes.
Boys see a broadening of their shoulders and girls start seeing a widening of their hips.
7. What’s that Body Odor?
I don’t have to say much more about this, other than the smell of a growing teen is decidedlydifferent.
I suggest an air freshener for the bedroom, and periodic window opening to allow fresh air to circulate!
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8. The Emotional Roller-Coaster: Emotional Changes
From raised voices, disagreeableness, eye rolling and ignoring your questions and requests, to loud, crazy happiness and sullen, un-engaged quietness, the teen tends to be emotionally labile.
Who knows what’s going on inside? I sure don’t.
I remember wanting to be left alone, feeling annoyeda lot, and wanting to engage my siblings and my parents on my terms– when I wanted to.
I’ve experienced this emotional roller-coaster with my own teens, and each one has their “tendencies.”
A few were eye-rollers, one was a big back-talker, and another, quiet and more distant than usual.
I blame these behavioral changes on all kinds of hormones andthe developmental stage of the teen…it’s just part of the process.
(However, if changes are dramatic and lasting, as well as disturbing and disruptive, talk with your health care provider, as many more teens today experience high levels of anxiety and depression.)
9. Man-Hunger: High Appetite
Due to the physical changes and overall growth,your teen’s appetite will change.
You may see what was once a good appetite turn voracious.
The good news is there may be more of an “eat anything” attitude, meaning your teen may be more adventurous and less picky.
On the other hand, this uptick in appetite may show up as a constantly hungry kid, which will keep you on your toes. Make sure you keep a nutritious diet a priority.
10. More Snacking: Hungry Teens
The phrase, “hollow leg,” describes the phenomenon of being hungry on the hour, almost every hour.
Frequent hunger translates to frequent eating, which is a sign of growth.
If your teen is hangry (hungry and angry), you’ll want to havea strategy for handling the hangry teenso it doesn’t get out of control.
11. Plus-size Portions
Piles of food on the plate, especially food that is well-liked, is tied to the larger appetite associated with growing.
12. Pimples: Acne and Skin Changes
A side effect of hormonal changes, oily skin and pimples are signs that the teen growth spurt (and puberty) is marching along.
13. Voice Changes
No more high-pitched screams from little boys. Instead, squeaks and a voice that isn’t quite child-like or manly.
Girls have voice changes too, but they are more subtle.
14. Sexual Maturation
Boys will experience penis enlargement and girls will have breast development.
15. Body Hair
Both genders will experience pubic hair development, or hair growth in the genital area. Males will start to grow soft hair on their faces which will turn to more coarse, adult hair. Shaving will commence! Both girls and boys will grow hair under their armpits, too.
Does Sleeping Make You Taller?
I’m always talking about quality sleep. One very important thing happens during sleep time, and that’s the rise in the level of growth hormone.
Growth hormone is needed to grow. And, it’s at its highest point in the day when teens are sleeping.
While I can’t guarantee sleep will make you taller (remember, genetics are a strong predictor of how tall you will be), there’s definitely a connection between getting enough sleep and maximizing growth during the teen growth spurt.
Additional Resources for the Growing Teen
If you’re in the throes of dealing with a growth spurt or pretty sure your teen is going through a growth phase, I’ve got more tips and advice about what you can do here:7 Ways to Support Your Teen’s Growth Spurt.
Here are some more articles to help you navigate the growth spurt:
- High Protein Breakfasts Your Teen Will Love
- Teenage Weight Gain: What You Can Do
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- TNC 102: Children’s Growth 101
- 10 Foods Teen Athletes Should Eat
- Late Puberty: Should You Worry about the Late Bloomer?
- Is Prime Drink Okay for Kids?
- Emotional Eating in Kids: A Primer for Parents
Height Predictor Tool
Lastly, I’ve created a Height Predictor Tool.
This will help you estimate your child’s ultimate height, however, genetics, lifestyle and nutrition will play a factor in the end result.
This article was originally published in 2012; it was updated August, 2023 to include more resources and data on height growth per year.
