Can Girls Grow After 15? What You Need to Know About Late Growth Spurts
The short answer: Yes, but it depends
Let’s just cut to it — yes, girls can grow after 15, but the amount and pace of growth really vary. Some may grow a few centimeters, while others might be done already. It all comes down to genetics, hormones, and timing of puberty.
(And no, drinking a gallon of milk overnight won't make you taller by morning — trust me, I tried.)
How does growth actually work in girls?
Girls typically hit their biggest growth spurt about 1 to 2 years after starting their period (aka menarche). That’s usually around age 11–13, but can vary wildly. By 15, many girls have already gone through the rapid-growth phase.
Growth plates and their role
Bones grow at specific parts called growth plates (epiphyseal plates). These are soft areas of cartilage that gradually harden as puberty progresses. Once they close — it’s game over for height.
So if a girl’s growth plates are still open at 15? There's still a chance for growth.
But if they’ve fused? Then no amount of stretching, yoga, or dangling from monkey bars will help (sad but true).
How much growth is possible after 15?
Okay, here’s the part you want numbers.
Typical range
Most girls might grow 1 to 5 cm (around half an inch to 2 inches) after 15. Some may grow slightly more, especially if they hit puberty later than average.
For example, I had a friend who barely scraped 5 feet at 15. By 17, she’d shot up to 5'5" — thanks to late puberty. Meanwhile, I stopped growing at 14. Life’s unfair like that.
Factors that affect growth after 15
1. Genetics
If your parents are tall, you’ve probably got a good shot — but it’s not guaranteed. And if you have tall relatives (uncle, aunt, grandparents), you might still inherit those genes.
2. Nutrition
Your body needs calcium, vitamin D, protein, and zinc to build bone and grow. Junk food diets full of sugar and processed stuff? Not gonna help much. Think: leafy greens, eggs, lean meats, legumes.
Also: get some sunlight. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium — crucial for bone growth.
3. Sleep and hormones
Your body releases growth hormone mostly during sleep. So yeah, staying up till 3 a.m. binge-watching Netflix every night might not be the best move for your height goals.
Aim for 8–10 hours of sleep per night. Not always easy, I know, but it makes a difference.
4. Exercise
Certain activities help stimulate bone health and possibly enhance growth — especially if your growth plates aren’t closed.
Try:
Jumping rope
Swimming
Cycling
Yoga (for posture more than actual height)
Posture matters too! Standing straight can literally make you look taller, instantly.
Can you check if you’re still growing?
Yep — it’s called a bone age test. It’s a simple X-ray of your hand/wrist that shows whether your growth plates are still open. Doctors often use it to predict final height.
Not something you need unless you’re really curious — but it can give you clarity.
Final thoughts: It’s not just about height
So, can girls grow after 15? Absolutely — but usually just a little bit more.
The key is to support your body with sleep, food, movement, and patience. But hey — height isn’t everything. Confidence, posture, and energy often speak louder than centimeters.
And whether you’re 5'1" or 5'9", own it. Because honestly? How you carry yourself matters way more than the number on a chart.
How much height should a boy have to look attractive?
Well, fellas, worry no more, because a new study has revealed 5ft 8in is the ideal height for a man. Dating app Badoo has revealed the most right-swiped heights based on their users aged 18 to 30.
Is 172 cm good for a man?
Yes it is. Average height of male in India is 166.3 cm (i.e. 5 ft 5.5 inches) while for female it is 152.6 cm (i.e. 5 ft) approximately. So, as far as your question is concerned, aforesaid height is above average in both cases.
Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?
The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.
Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?
How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).
How tall is a average 15 year old?
Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years
| Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 14 Years | 112.0 lb. (50.8 kg) | 64.5" (163.8 cm) |
| 15 Years | 123.5 lb. (56.02 kg) | 67.0" (170.1 cm) |
| 16 Years | 134.0 lb. (60.78 kg) | 68.3" (173.4 cm) |
| 17 Years | 142.0 lb. (64.41 kg) | 69.0" (175.2 cm) |
How to get taller at 18?
Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.
Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?
Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).
Can you grow between 16 and 18?
Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.
Can you grow 1 cm after 17?
Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.