Growth spurt

A growth spurt is a period during puberty when you grow taller quite quickly — sometimes several centimetres in just a few months. It's one of the most visible changes of puberty. Girls tend to have their growth spurt earlier (usually between 10 and 14), while boys tend to have theirs later (usually between 12 and 16). Everyone's timing is different.

• A growth spurt is a rapid increase in height during puberty.
• Girls typically hit theirs earlier than boys — which is why girls are often taller than boys for a while in early secondary school.
• You might grow 5-10cm or more in a single year during a growth spurt.
• It's driven by hormones — mainly growth hormone, oestrogen, and testosterone.
• Your final height is mostly genetic, but nutrition, sleep, and general health play a role too.

When it happens

Growth spurts are triggered by the same hormonal changes that kick off the rest of puberty. For girls, the growth spurt usually happens relatively early in puberty — often one of the first noticeable signs, alongside breast development. It typically peaks around age 11-12 and slows down after the first period starts.

For boys, the growth spurt tends to come later — usually after other puberty changes like voice breaking and genital development have begun. It typically peaks around age 13-14. This is why boys and girls of the same age can look very different in height during early secondary school — the girls have had their spurt while the boys haven't yet.

What it feels like

Growth spurts can be physically uncomfortable. "Growing pains" — aching in the legs, especially at night — are common during rapid growth. You might feel clumsy or uncoordinated because your body is changing faster than your brain's sense of where your limbs are. Clothes and shoes might stop fitting seemingly overnight. You might be hungrier than usual — your body needs extra fuel to grow.

It's not just height, either. Your hands and feet often grow first (which is why they can seem disproportionately big for a while), followed by arms and legs, and then the trunk catches up. This uneven growth is completely normal, even if it feels awkward.

Things people get wrong

"If you haven't had your growth spurt yet, you'll be short forever." Not necessarily. People grow at different rates and on different timelines. Late growers can end up just as tall — or taller — than people who grew early. How tall you end up is mostly about your genes.

"Boys always end up taller than girls." On average, yes, but there's a huge range of variation. Plenty of women are taller than plenty of men. Height isn't a competition.

"You stop growing at a specific age." Most people reach their adult height by about 16-18 (girls usually a bit earlier than boys), but some people continue growing slowly into their early twenties. [CHECK: typical age ranges for growth plate closure]

Things people ask about growth spurts

Why am I so much shorter (or taller) than everyone else my age?

Because growth spurts happen at different ages. At 12 or 13, the range of heights in a single year group can be huge — that's normal. By 16-18, things even out a lot.

Can I do anything to grow taller?

Your height is mostly determined by your parents' genes. Good nutrition, enough sleep, and staying active help your body reach its genetic potential, but nothing can make you grow beyond that. Products or exercises that claim to make you taller are scams.

Why do my knees and legs ache?

Growing pains are common during growth spurts. The exact cause isn't fully understood, but they tend to happen at night and in the legs. They're annoying but harmless and usually go away on their own.

Is it normal to be really hungry during a growth spurt?

Yes. Your body is building bone, muscle, and tissue at a rapid rate. It needs more energy than usual. Eating regular, balanced meals and snacks is important during this time.

A growth spurt is when you grow taller quite fast during puberty. You might grow several centimetres in just a few months.

Girls usually have their growth spurt between about 10 and 14. Boys usually have theirs between about 12 and 16. That's why girls are often taller than boys for a while at school — the girls have grown first and the boys haven't caught up yet.

During a growth spurt, your hands and feet often grow first, then your arms and legs, then the rest of your body catches up. This is why you might feel a bit awkward or clumsy for a while. Your body is changing shape faster than you can get used to it.

Growing pains are common too — aching in your legs, especially at night. They're annoying but not harmful.

You might feel much hungrier than usual. That's because your body needs extra food to fuel all that growing.

How tall you end up is mostly down to your parents and genes. Good food and enough sleep help, but nothing can make you grow taller than your body is meant to be. If you haven't had your growth spurt yet, don't worry. People grow at different speeds. Late growers can end up just as tall as early ones.