When we see a young, talented basketball player, we often try to figure out how tall he/she will get.

 

So often, people focus on how tall the father is. According to the following method, mom's height plays a big part as well:

 

1. Add both mom and dads height. (inches)

2. Add 5 inches for boys. Subtract 5 inches for girls.

3. Divide by 2.

 

Most children will reach an adult height within 4 inches (10 centimeters) of this estimation.

 

Another way to estimate a child's adult height is to double a boy's height at age 2 or a girl's height at age 18 months.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/childrens-health/expert-answers/child-growth/faq-20057990

 

How does this formula work out for you and your kids?

Edited July 9, 201511 yr by hoops5
Added more info

Off by 70 inches.

4 adults kids…this formula was not even close. Not surprising, I've read where this is not an accurate formula. Running this formula a few different times inputting different parent heights, the male child gets shorter, the female gets taller, every time.

Off an inch on my son and will probably be really close on my daughter, she is 14 and close to her estimated height.

Should have added using this formula the male child gets shorter then his father, the female child gets taller then her mother, every time.

Should have added using this formula the male child gets shorter then his father, the female child gets taller then her mother, every time.

 

Only if the Mom is short...6'1'' dad and 5'11'' mom would give you a 6'2 1/2" son and a 5'9 1/2" daughter

Look at height of the child at age 2 and multiply by 2. Almost exact with my kids.

Should have added using this formula the male child gets shorter then his father, the female child gets taller then her mother, every time.

 

That's not correct. If the father is more than 5 inches taller than the mother then your statement holds true. If the father is less than 5 inches taller than the mother, then it is the opposite of what you said. At exactly 5 inches different the son would equal the father and daugher would equal the mother

My oldest is 6'4". My wife is 6'3" and I'm 6'2". So he is 1" shorter than the formula says. Pretty close. My daughter is 6'. It is dead on for her.

No kids, but i beat the average by about 2 inches.

Hoops formula would put my boys at 6' 1-1/2" Off a few inches.

One thing that seems a certainty in players or kids in general I have known or know is that if the Mom is 5'9 or taller, the boys are 6'1 or taller always. Most are taller than their Dads. This is only based on maybe a couple of dozen couples that I can think of, so not a science, maybe a coincidence.

I'm 6'1". My oldest son is 6'3". My youngest son is 5'11".

Oldest can barely dunk a tennis ball, youngest can throw down a regulation basketball. There is no formula for genetics.

I'm 6'1". My oldest son is 6'3". My youngest son is 5'11".

Oldest can barely dunk a tennis ball, youngest can throw down a regulation basketball. There is no formula for genetics.

 

How tall is their Mother?

How tall is their Mother?

 

Mother is 5'5". Which according to "formula" is correct for youngest son.

 

Daughter is 5'9". Not into hoops though.