What Is the 37 Rule for Marriage? The Math Behind Love

What exactly is the 37% rule?

The 37% rule (sometimes called the “optimal stopping rule”) is a mathematical strategy that suggests the best way to make a decision when you’re faced with many options — like finding a life partner. Yep, someone actually tried to apply math to love. Crazy? Maybe. But kind of brilliant too.

Here’s how it works:
If you're looking for "the one" among a number of possible partners, the idea is to spend the first 37% of your dating time just evaluating — not committing. Then, once you pass that “sample phase,” you pick the next person who's better than everyone you've met before.

That’s it. Sounds simple, right? But it gets more interesting...

Where does the 37% come from?

A quick dive into the math (don't worry, it's painless)

The 37% comes from a branch of math called optimal stopping theory. Basically, it helps you decide when to stop looking and start choosing to get the best result.

Imagine you want to get married between the ages of 20 and 35 (so, 15 years of dating). According to the 37% rule, you’d use the first 5.5 years (37% of 15) to just observe and not settle down. After that, you go all in on the next person who seems better than all the others before them.

Weirdly enough, this gives you the statistically best chance of picking the best match — not guaranteed, of course, but the odds are highest. Wild, huh?

How does the 37 rule apply to real relationships?

It’s not just about numbers — it’s about perspective

Okay, okay — no one’s actually walking around with a stopwatch saying, “Welp, I’m 5.5 years in, better propose to the next amazing person I see.” That would be… odd.

But the spirit of the rule is useful. It tells us to take time to learn what we really want. Don’t commit too early out of pressure or fear. Sample, reflect, then decide.

I’ve got a buddy who dated like 10 people in his twenties and swore off commitment. Then, around 30, he met someone and said, “You know what? Now I actually know what I’m looking for.” That’s kind of the 37% rule in action — even if he didn’t know it.

It helps avoid two extremes

• Settling too soon: Marrying the first person who seems decent (and later regretting it).

• Waiting forever: Hoping for someone “perfect” who never shows up.

The rule kinda guides you through that tricky middle ground.

Is the 37 rule just a gimmick?

Well… yes and no

Let’s be real — love isn't math. People aren’t data sets. You can’t “calculate” the perfect partner.

But still, the 37% rule gives you a framework. A pause. A reminder to not jump too fast, but also to not freeze up with indecision. Think of it less like a formula and more like a vibe. A guideline to help you not screw things up too early (or too late).

Besides, who doesn’t love a little logic in a messy world?

When the rule doesn't work

Life is messy. Maybe you marry your high school sweetheart and live happily ever after. Maybe you meet the love of your life at 40. Or maybe you're on Tinder, 38% in, and still swiping through madness.

The point? The 37% rule isn’t gospel. But it can be a fun (and strangely helpful) way to rethink how we approach big decisions — especially the big L-word one.

Final thoughts: should you follow the 37 rule for marriage?

If you want to make smart, mindful choices in love — sure, use it as a compass. Don’t rush, don’t stall forever, and learn from experience.

But don’t forget: no formula can guarantee a perfect relationship. Chemistry, timing, communication — these don’t fit into equations.

Still, next time someone asks you about your dating strategy, just say: “I’m at 37%, baby.”
Sounds mysterious. And kinda cool.

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.