What Age Do Growth Plates Stop? Find Out When You Stop Growing

Understanding Growth Plates: What Are They?

Well, if you've ever wondered why your height seemed to change more rapidly when you were younger, or why it slows down as you get older, it all comes down to something called growth plates. These are the areas of cartilage located at the ends of long bones, and they play a major role in determining how tall you’ll grow. It’s fascinating, honestly, because our bodies have this built-in system to help us grow. But you might be wondering, "When do growth plates stop?" or "How do you know if your growth plates are still open?" Let’s dive in.

What exactly happens in growth plates?

Growth plates, also known as epiphyseal plates, are responsible for bone growth. When you’re a kid or teenager, they’re soft and flexible, allowing bones to grow longer as you get taller. Eventually, these growth plates close when you reach adulthood, and that’s when your height stops increasing. But there’s a bit more to it than just closing, and I think it’s worth exploring.

When Do Growth Plates Stop?

Honestly, the question of when growth plates stop is one that’s often asked by teenagers and parents alike. The answer varies slightly for different individuals, but typically, growth plates close between the ages of 16 and 21. Girls tend to experience closure a bit earlier than boys, usually around 16-18 years old, while boys typically stop growing a little later, around 18-21 years old.

Why does this age range exist?

I remember chatting with a friend who was frustrated because he had stopped growing at 17. He thought he might have more potential, but his growth plates had already closed. It got me thinking—why do these ages vary? Genetics, nutrition, and overall health all play a role in how fast or slow your growth plates close. The timing can also be influenced by your gender, and even if you had growth spurts during puberty or not.

Signs Your Growth Plates Are Closing

Okay, so how can you tell if your growth plates are still open or closed? This is something I’ve been curious about for a while, and there are a few signs that can give you a clue, although a visit to the doctor will give you the most accurate answer.

1. X-rays

Honestly, the only definitive way to check whether your growth plates are still open is by getting an X-ray. Doctors can look at the bones in the X-ray and determine if the growth plates are still active or if they have fused. It sounds a bit intimidating, but if you're wondering about your height potential, this might be something you discuss with a healthcare professional.

2. Changes in Height

I recall during my teen years, I would suddenly notice that my pants were getting shorter or that my shoes felt tighter. These little growth spurts were signals that my growth plates were still active. Once I stopped seeing changes like that, I knew my growth plates were likely closing, and any increase in height was going to be minimal.

Can You Still Grow After Your Growth Plates Close?

I get this question all the time—“Can I still grow taller after my growth plates close?” The short answer is no. Once those growth plates fuse, your bones stop getting longer, and your height is pretty much set. However, there are a few things that can affect how your body presents its height, like posture and muscle development.

1. Posture and Bone Health

I was surprised to learn that, although you can’t grow taller once your growth plates are closed, maintaining a good posture and keeping your bones healthy can make you appear taller. Stretching and strengthening your core muscles can help you stand taller and give you that taller appearance. I’ve noticed a difference in how I carry myself—standing up straight really does make me look a bit taller than slouching.

2. Growth Hormone Treatment

Okay, here's a bit of a twist. Some people who have growth hormone deficiencies might be given hormone treatment to stimulate growth, even after the typical age of growth plate closure. But this only works under specific conditions and isn't generally effective once the plates are fully fused. I once read about someone who underwent this treatment well into their teenage years, but it’s not a common or guaranteed solution.

Conclusion: Embrace Your Height Journey

Honestly, understanding when your growth plates stop can be a bit of a mixed bag. While it might seem like a limit to growth, it’s really a natural part of your body’s process of maturing. The fact that growth plates close around 16-21 years old signals that your body is done growing taller, but that doesn’t mean you stop developing in other ways—strength, endurance, and flexibility can all continue to improve well into adulthood. So whether you’ve just hit a growth spurt or you’re coming to terms with your final height, embrace where you are and keep working on being the best version of yourself!

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

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.