What growth plates are
Growth plates are discs of cartilage near the ends of long bones such as the thigh and shin. New bone forms there, which is how children get taller. During puberty, rising sex hormones speed growth up and then gradually turn the cartilage into solid bone. When that is complete the plate is "closed".
Signs you're still growing
| Probably still growing | Probably close to done |
|---|---|
| Height up in the last 6 months | Same height for 6 to 12 months |
| Shoe size still changing | Shoe size stable for a year |
| Boys: voice still breaking, facial hair just starting | Boys: adult voice, shaving regularly |
| Girls: first period within the last year | Girls: first period 2 to 3+ years ago |
| Below the typical closing age | Past 16 (girls) or 18 (boys) |
How doctors check
A bone-age X-ray of the left hand and wrist is compared with reference images to estimate skeletal age. If plates are still open and bone age is behind actual age, there is usually more growth to come. Ask your doctor if you are worried; it is a quick, low-dose X-ray.
Track it yourself
Measure yourself the same way every month: morning, barefoot, against the same wall. Three or more measurements show whether you are still growing more reliably than any single sign. See how tall you're likely to be, or let TallPath log it and update your prediction each month.
