This version was machine-translated from German and has not been medically reviewed. The authoritative version is the German version.

WHO 0–24 months

Weight, Length, Head circumference, BMI and weight-for-length according to WHO 2006

Child

Sex

male female

Gestational age at birth (optional, preterm infants)

Age

Birth and measurement date Age directly

Date of birth

Measurement date

Years

Months

Weeks

Days

Use corrected age – for preterm infants the weeks until term are subtracted (up to an age of 24 months)

Measured values

Weight (kg)

Length (supine) (cm)

Head circumference (cm)

Decimal separator comma or period. Empty fields are skipped.

Measurement position

Length/height measured

WHO: supine under 24 months, standing from 24 months. Values measured in the other position are converted by 0.7 cm.

Reset Reference range: 0–24 months (weight-for-length 45–110 cm)

About this calculator

Percentiles and z-score (SDS) for weight-for-age, length-for-age, head circumference-for-age, BMI-for-age and weight-for-length according to the WHO Child Growth Standards, 0–24 months. For preterm infants, age is corrected up to 24 months.

In preterm infants, if a gestational age is given, age is corrected up to month 24 of life for the missing weeks up to 40+0. The z-score (SDS) describes the deviation from the median in standard deviations; the percentile the proportion of the reference population with a smaller value.

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Reference and license

WHO 2006 Expanded – 0–5 years.
WHO Multicentre Growth Reference Study Group. WHO Child Growth Standards: Methods and development. Geneva: WHO; 2006 (length/height, weight, BMI) and 2007 (head circumference, mid-upper arm circumference, skinfolds). License: WHO; tables taken from the R package childsds (GPL applies to the software, not to the WHO data). Source
Below 24 months the WHO chart assumes length measured lying down, and from 24 months height measured standing. If measured differently, state the measurement position – the calculator then converts by 0.7 cm (standing → lying +0.7 cm, lying → standing −0.7 cm).
WHO Weight-for-Length – 45–110 cm length.
WHO Multicentre Growth Reference Study Group. WHO Child Growth Standards: Methods and development. Geneva: WHO; 2006 (length/height, weight, BMI) and 2007 (head circumference, mid-upper arm circumference, skinfolds). License: WHO; tables taken from the R package childsds (GPL applies to the software, not to the WHO data). Source

Related calculators

Note

Calculation aid for healthcare professionals. Percentiles and z-scores describe the position of a measured value in the reference population; clinical assessment remains with the treating physician.

Review date of the German original: 2026-11-05 · Methodology

For parents (in German): Percentile calculator (kinderarzt.net)

Frequently asked questions

What does the percentile mean?

The percentile indicates what percentage of healthy reference children of the same age and sex have a smaller value. A weight at P25 is therefore greater than that of 25 % of reference children – this is the normal range, not a deviation.

What is the z-score (SDS)?

The z-score describes the deviation from the median in standard deviations. 0 is the median, −2 corresponds to about P2.3. +2 to P97.7. Percentile. The WHO distinguishes by indicator: Weight-for-age below −2 SD is called underweight, length-for-age below −2 SD stunting, weight-for-length below −2 SD wasting; below −3 SD jeweils schwer.

Why is age corrected in preterm infants?

A child born too early (birth before 37+0 weeks) is assessed until month 24 of life against their corrected age (chronological age minus the time missing up to 40+0 weeks), because the child catches up on growth from term onward. The calculator corrects automatically if a gestational age is entered.

How do the WHO standard and the German reference differ?

The WHO Child Growth Standards describe how breastfed children grow under good conditions (standard). Kromeyer-Hauschild and KiGGS describe how children in Germany have actually grown (reference). Both are available in the portal.