Girls Head chart for Toddlers 16 month old

Head circumference chart for 16-Month-Old girls

Tracking head growth for toddler girls: what the percentiles mean at 16-Month-Old.

Head circumference percentiles for 16-Month-Old girls

The head circumference distribution for toddler girls at 16-Month-Old, based on CDC growth standards:

• 5th percentile: 43.9 cm (17.3 in)

• 25th percentile: 45.1 cm (17.8 in)

• 50th percentile (median): 46.0 cm (18.1 in)

• 75th percentile: 46.9 cm (18.5 in)

• 95th percentile: 48.1 cm (19.0 in)

A percentile shows how your child's measurement compares with toddler girls of the same age and sex. Being at the 50th percentile means exactly half of toddler girls measure more and half measure less.

What to expect at 16-Month-Old

Head circumference growth slows markedly in the second year compared to infancy, though brain development continues rapidly. By 12 months, the brain is approximately 60% of its adult size; by 24 months it is closer to 80%. The anterior fontanelle typically closes between 12 and 18 months, and head circumference gains of 1-2 cm over the full second year are typical.

Routine developmental checks

Head circumference in toddlers is measured less frequently than in infancy, typically at routine developmental checks. By age 2, the brain is approximately 80% of its adult size and the rate of head growth has slowed considerably. Continue attending all scheduled health checks, as these reviews cover development across multiple domains.

Signs that warrant review

If your toddler shows any neurological concerns - regression in speech or motor skills, unusual head shape, or significant changes in behaviour - head circumference measurement is one of several assessments a paediatrician would carry out. Early identification of any developmental concerns leads to earlier support and better outcomes.

Frequently asked questions

What is the fontanelle and when does it close?

The fontanelle is the soft spot on the top of a baby's head where the skull bones have not yet fused. There are two fontanelles: the larger anterior (front) fontanelle, which typically closes between 9 and 18 months, and the smaller posterior (back) fontanelle, which usually closes by 2-3 months. Both allow the skull to expand rapidly as the brain grows during the first years of life.

What is a normal head circumference for this age?

The percentile table on this page shows the full range of typical head circumferences. All values from the 5th to the 95th percentile are within normal limits. As with all growth measurements, the pattern of growth over time is more informative than any single reading - a baby growing consistently at the 15th percentile is growing normally.

How fast does head circumference grow in the first year?

Head circumference grows approximately 10-12 cm in the first year of life - roughly 2 cm per month in the first 3 months, slowing to about 1 cm per month from 3-6 months, and 0.5 cm per month from 6-12 months. By 12 months, the average head circumference has grown from approximately 34-35 cm at birth to around 46-47 cm.

Data sources and methodology

The percentile ranges on this page are drawn from CDC growth chart data from the National Center for Health Statistics and WHO Child Growth Standards (for children under 5). CDC data published May 30, 2000, with 2022 extended BMI tables. Percentiles are modelled using the LMS method (Box-Cox transformation), which accounts for the skewed distribution of measurements at each age. All measurements are given in metric units with imperial equivalents.

Individual variation is normal and expected. A healthcare provider can help interpret these measurements in context with overall health and development.