Puberty Stage: Where am I in the process of becoming an adult?

Doctors use a scale called Tanner Staging to chart each individual's puberty stage -- the progress through puberty from childhood to sexual maturity.

Doctors use a scale called Tanner Staging to chart each individual’s puberty stage — the progress through puberty from childhood to sexual maturity.

Dr. Greene:

Puberty can be very confusing. For boys and girls, bodies develop in response to an ocean of surging hormones. There is a wide range of normal ages for puberty, which can make it even more confusing — especially when you’re the one going through the process. Doctors have a way of charting where, in the process of moving from a child’s body to that of an adult, each individual is by assessing several factors. This is called Tanner Staging (named after James Tanner, the doctor who invented the scale) or Sexual Maturity Rating in Adolescents. It is what doctors use to determine the pubertal stage of a patient.  There are five stages in total, and each patient will move through the stages at slightly different rates. 

Darrel, take a look at these charts to see where you are in the process. As you can see, there is a wide range of ages in which each stage occurs. When you start puberty, and how fast you move through it, is dependent on many factors. The greatest factor is your genetics. Talk to your mom and dad about their experiences and timing of puberty. And, of course, if you have questions or concerns, please talk to your pediatrician. We are always willing to explain these stages. They can be confusing!  

Tanner Staging for Boys

From: ANNEX H, SEXUAL MATURITY RATING (TANNER STAGING) IN ADOLESCENTS

Stage

Age range (years)

Testes growth

 

Penis growth

Pubic hair growth

Other changes

I

 0–15 Pre-adolescent testes
(≤2.5 cm)		 Pre-adolescent None Pre-adolescent

II

 10–15 Enlargement of testes; pigmentation of scrotal sac Minimal or no enlargement Long downy hair, often appearing several months after testicular growth; variable pattern noted with pubarche Not applicable

III

 11.5–16.5 Further enlargement Significant enlargement, especially in diameter Increase in amount; curling Not applicable

IV

 Variable: 12–17 Further enlargement Further enlargement, especially in diameter Adult in type but not in distribution Development of axillary hair and some facial hair

V

 13–18 Adult in size Adult in size Adult in distribution (medial aspects of thighs; linea alba) Body hair continues to grow and muscles continue to increase in size for several months to years; 20% of boys reach peak growth velocity during this period

Tanner Staging for Girls

Stage

Age range (years)

Breast growth

Pubic hair growth

Other Changes

I

 >0–15 Pre-adolescent None Pre-adolescent

II

 8–15 Breast budding (thelarche); areolar hyperplasia with small amount of breast tissue Long downy pubic hair near the labia, often appearing with breast budding or several weeks or months later Peak growth velocity often occurs soon after stage II

III

 10–15 Further enlargement of breast tissue and areola, with no separation of their contours Increase in amount and pigmentation of hair Menarche occurs in 2% of girls late in stage III

IV

 10–17 Separation of contours; areola and nipple form secondary mound above breasts tissue Adult in type but not in distribution Menarche occurs in most girls in stage IV, 1–3 years after thelarche

V

 12.5–18 Large breast with single contour Adult in distribution Menarche occurs in 10% of girls in stage V.

 

 

Updated: June 14, 2023

Dr. Greene is a practicing physician, author, national and international TEDx speaker, and global health advocate. He is a graduate of Princeton University and University of California San Francisco.

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56 Comments

Add a Comment
  1. Swati

    Dear Dr. Greene , we just found that our house maids son donot haves testis . They took him to urologist and in MRI , they did not find it . How I can help the child. Please let us know if can do anything for child.

    Added:
    • Cheryl Greene

      Swati,

      What tough news for this family. Certainly, this child’s life will be changed forever, but there are medical options. Likely the family will find the most help at academic or teaching hospitals.

      It is wise to seek treatment as soon as our current COVID situation allows. The younger a child is when choices are considered and treatment is started, the better the outcome.

      I hope that helps.
      Best, @MsGreene
      Note: I am the co-founder of DrGreene.com, but I am not Dr. Greene and I am not a doctor. Please keep that in mind when reading my comments and replies.

      Added:
  2. Geo.

    I’ve tried to comment and email but haven’t gotten a response

    Added:
  3. Geo

    My comments/questions aren’t posting and no one responds to my emails…

    Added:
    • Cheryl Greene

      Hi Geo,

      Sometimes our software tags comments and emails as spam. This typically happens if there are URLs embedded in the comment or email, if they appear to be selling a product, if they use potentially offensive language or perceived hate speech. Of course,software can make mistakes — especially regarding intent.

      Care to resend keeping the above general rules in mind?

      Best, @MsGreene
      Note: I am the co-founder of DrGreene.com, but I am not Dr. Greene and I am not a doctor. Please keep that in mind when reading my comments and replies.

      Added:
  4. Anonymous 712#

    Hello, i am 11 years old. My stretched penis length is [redacted], i have a little amount of pubic hair and i am southeast asian. What is the global average penile length for my age and is it normal?

    Added:
    • Cheryl Greene

      Hello Anonymous,

      There aren’t good global averages for penis length — during puberty or afterward. Additionally, penis length is directly correlated to age. Puberty can begin early, at an average age, or late. There is a standard set of criteria that doctors use to determine the stage of puberty. Dr. Greene has written about it here –> Puberty Stage: Where am I in the process of becoming an adult? It includes chart that you may find helpful

      Likely no matter what age growth starts, the end result will be similar.

      I hope that helps.
      Best, @MsGreene
      Note: I am the co-founder of DrGreene.com, but I am not Dr. Greene and I am not a doctor. Please keep that in mind when reading my comments and replies.

      Added:
  5. Nathan

    what is redacted?

    Added:
    • Cheryl Greene

      Hi Nathan,

      Thanks for your question. “Redacted” is a term used in journalism to indicate that the text has been edited and some has been removed. It is our policy that we don’t reveal personal details that are shared in comments. We use the [redacted] to indicate that there was additional text in the original comment that has been removed.

      If you have further questions, please reply.

      Best, @MsGreene
      Note: I am the co-founder of DrGreene.com, but I am not Dr. Greene and I am not a doctor. Please keep that in mind when reading my comments and replies.

      Added:
  6. Wyatt Bradbury

    Hi I’m 17, currently 3 months from 18. Around the time I was 11 years old my voice changed, and maybe a year before that I had started to grow pubic hair and before I was 13/12-ish I had grown under arm hair and I have been fairly tall compared too other guys for a long time my age because I had growth spurts and I started shaving when I was 14. I even have fairly broad shoulders that I’ve received comments about before. However when I measure my my penis like you said it’s around 4 inches. Why is it that this is so far behind the rest of my body in terms of maturation? I understand that our bodies all grow at different rates, but can it really be that drastic of a difference?

    Added:
  7. Alex

    I have a few concerns about my development, but I think I’m just a late bloomer. My penis is about [redacted] inches stretched and has short downy hairs around the base. My testicles are hairless and quite small and haven’t dropped yet. I’ve never had a wet dream or ejaculated. Is this normal at 14 and 3 months?

    Added:
    • Cheryl Greene

      Alex,

      Have you seen the post Penis Size During Puberty? The information in that post may be helpful.

      Best, @MsGreene
      Note: I am the co-founder of DrGreene.com, but I am not Dr. Greene and I am not a doctor. Please keep that in mind when reading my comments and replies.

      Added:
  8. Anon

    I am 16 nearing 17 and my penis erected is only [redacted]… should I be worried?

    Added:
    • Cheryl Greene

      Hey Anon,

      A couple of thoughts:
      — In medicine, the penis length is compared in the stretched* condition.
      — Here’s info on stretched size that might help answer your question:

      Before Puberty – The average stretched length of the penis before puberty is somewhere between 2.1 and 2.9 inches*.

      Adult – The average stretched length of the adult penis (after puberty is complete) is between 4.6 and 5.8 inches (though a more recent study of 6200 boys, mostly white, from Bulgaria, put the average at 3.1 to 4.3 inches. There’s a lot of variation between studies!)

      During Puberty – It depends.
      Penis growth depends more on Tanner Stage than it does on age.

      * To measure your penis size, stretch the penis gently and measure from the bone at the base all the way to the tip. Be sure to depress the surrounding fat pad to get all the way to the base. Using a wooden, metal or ridged plastic ruler is helpful to be able to depress the fat pad and get an accurate measurement.

      I hope that helps.
      Best, @MsGreene
      Note: I am the co-founder of DrGreene.com, but I am not Dr. Greene and I am not a doctor. Please keep that in mind when reading my comments and replies.

      Added:
  9. Matthew

    Hi I just turned 14 and my penis is is 6 inches(self reported but conservative) I have no chest hair and just tiny side burns I’m also 6 foot I’m worried that I’ve grown too early and something is wrong is tthis common also I had a surgery when I was 11 to put my left testicle back into my scrotum after it moved to my upper thigh after an injury could this have triggered my growth and messed me up for life please answer? ?

    Added:
    • aMom

      You may just be done with puberty. But it sounds like you should take your concerns about your surgery back to your doctors. Likely nothing, but you need peace of mind.

      Added:
      • Jeb

        Have you discussed this with your parents? That’s a good place to start.

        Added:
  10. Denzel

    I’m 14 years of age and I believe I hit puberty about a year ago and I have grown some pubic hair under my armpits and over my genitals, my voice hasn’t changed I still sound like a 9-year-old and my penis hasn’t grown much, still at around [redacted] inches and hasn’t changed for the past year, will it stay like this? or am I over exaggerating, thanks?

    Added:
    • Cheryl Greene

      Denzel,

      As you can see from this post, puberty is a series of changes that take place over a number of years and at a different rate for different people.

      There’s more information for you specifically about penis size during puberty here.

      Note: I am the co-founder of DrGreene.com, but I am not Dr. Greene and I am not a doctor. Please keep that in mind when reading my comments and replies.

      Added:
  11. David

    I’m 15yrs. old and i’m like really worried about my size because(Note: i’m not gay) but i got flashed a “D” pic (at different times) by my friend and when i saw them they were like huge and it made me very sad and feel like i’m not getting any bigger than this. My size is a tade bit bigger than 4.5″ but not 5″. I looked at the Tanner Scale and i’m stage two, but that makes me doubt myself on whether i’ll get bigger or not. So, can you please help me out Dr.Greene?

    Added:
    • Lenni Doyel

      Just because someone flashes a “D” pic, doesn’t mean it’s real. Probably grabbed it from the internet or something.

      Added:
  12. John

    Hi doc I am 16 and my penis is still very small i have 1-2 inches of thin hair around the base of my penis but it is small and skinny my voice has deepened and i have small armpit hair. Am i just a late starter or is there something wrong with me. I am also skinny and about 5 foot 4.

    Added:
  13. Anthony

    Dr. Greene,

    I’m enjoying reading through your website. After reading about the stages of puberty and learning about the tanner effect / staging, I started to wonder: What exactly is happening at this point in the body….increased testosterone, elastin production, etc…? At this point, while the secondary sexual characteristics are coming into play…why do some grow more than others?? Some women have large breast and others small….some men have short thick penises and others have long thin ones….are there studies that address these questions?? I’ve looked and looked and find penis pumps, pills and surgical advertisements…but, I’m looking for answers. Can you provide any guidance?

    Thanks,
    Anthony

    Added:
  14. James

    I’m 18 years old and am 6’0, 200 pounds. I am also pretty active as I play hockey and soccer. My situation is that I’m a bit everywhere on the tanner scale. I have hit my major growth spurt although I have not seen significant muscle growth or facial hair growth and my voice is higher pitched in comparison to my peers and upon doing an SPL mesurment my penis size is about 4.75 inches. But I do have armpit hair and have pubic hair growth of adult proportions on my inner thighs. I’m wondering if I am just a late bloomer in some aspects or is something wrong. If I am just a late bloomer, around what age should i be seeing more results?

    Added:
  15. John

    Hi, my name is John and I just turned 12. My penis size when it is stretched it is about [redacted]. My penis has some pubic hairs but not many. There are not so much that it is noticeable that I’m going through puberty. I have red hair and my pubic hairs are not very dark. My scrotum sack is a little pigmented and sometimes hangs down low. I don’t know what ‘Often Erections’ means but I have them when I’m excited. I also wake up with them. I have not had a wet dream and am wondering, am I going through puberty? If so, what stage am I at and when do you think I’ll be in the next stage. Please answer as soon as possible, John.

    Added:
    • John

      You don’t have to respond I figured it out.

      Added:
      • Cheryl Greene

        John,

        Thanks for writing in — both times.

        It’s great you were able to figure out the answer to your question. Our goal is to provide enough information that people can typically get the answer they’re looking for by reading what Dr. Greene has written. Sometimes that means following a few links, but there’s so much information on the site, that usually people can find their answer.

        Best, @MsGreene
        Note: I am the co-founder of DrGreene.com, but I am not Dr. Greene and I am not a doctor. Please keep that in mind when reading my comments and replies.

        Added:
  16. Lorenzo Pirozzi

    Dear Dr Greene,

    I’m Lorenzo and I am 12.5 years old. I practice sport regularly and I have a good diet. I know I’m in puberty, because my testicles enlarged and my penis is really hairy. Also, i have some hair in the chest area and some beard. I was wondering if my penis length was average. My penis is [redacted] I know that in puberty it’s really hard to get an “average” size of everything, but I still hope there is, at least, a partial answer.

    Added:
    • Cheryl Greene

      Dear Lorenzo,

      Thanks for writing in. You did a great job providing information. It shows that you’ve read, understood, and followed the instructions above and in some of the comments.

      As you point out, during puberty, it’s very hard to determine what is normal. In fact there do not appear to be detailed, academic guidelines that would cover changes in penis size through the puberty stages. This is likely due to the unique rate each individual growths so what is a normal trajectory for one boy is not for another. In other words, besides the general guidelines provided above, there isn’t more information I can provide for you.

      I wish I could be more helpful.

      Best, @MsGreene
      Note: I am the co-founder of DrGreene.com, but I am not Dr. Greene and I am not a doctor. Please keep that in mind when reading my comments and replies.

      Added:
  17. James

    Hey doc Greene I am 12 years 8 months and my height is 175 cm and weigh 48 kgs. My penis is [redacted] and I am worried if my penis is too big and I am slowing down my growth. I only grew 5 cm. will I ever grow my height or is it the final

    Added:
  18. Private

    Hi, I’m 12 and I already hit puberty,I have a lot amount of hair in my penis and underarm, but my voice is very high and I still didn’t get my growth spurt, is there a way a can get my voice to get deeper and for me to get taller?

    Added:
    • Alexandra Carmichael

      Thanks so much for writing in! Everyone develops slightly differently, so I wouldn’t worry. Sometimes voice deepening and growth spurts happen after age 13.
      Hope that helps!
      Alexandra (caring helper at drgreene.com, not a doctor)

      Added:
  19. Brenda

    My 15.5 year old son is about 5’6″ and 130 pounds… lean from running cross country and track. He has an oval dime sized lump beneath his right nipple, which makes the areola protrude (left is flat or sunken). He squeezed it very hard and discharge came from his right nipple. Doctor said it is an enlarged breast bud; has ultrasound 3 weeks ago. Lump is larger now, still feels encapsulated. He is very worried about this lump. What’s my next step? I’m not so sure it is just an enlarged breast bud. Please advise.

    Added:
    • Cheryl Greene

      Brenda,

      It sounds like your son’s doctor is taking a great approach. He doesn’t think there’s anything to worry about, but wants to check it out just in case. I know three weeks is a long time to wait, but it actually means the doctor isn’t very concerned.

      Best, @MsGreene
      Note: I am the co-founder of DrGreene.com, but I am not Dr. Greene and I am not a doctor. Please keep that in mind when reading my comments and replies.

      Added:
  20. Ethan

    Dear Dr Greene,
    Hello my name is Ethan and I am 16 years old and I am very active i love to workout and play basketball and I have a good diet. I’ve been really worried about the size of my penis when erect it is [redacted]. I’m worried that I am done growing and I was wondering if there is anything I can do for it to grow and if I am done growing. Please respond.

    Sincerely Ethan

    Added:
    • Cheryl Greene

      Ethan,

      You can determine if your size is normal for your stage of development and if you are likely to grow more by following these steps:

      1. The average stretched length of the penis before puberty is somewhere between 2.1 and 2.9 inches.
      2. The average stretched length of the adult penis, after puberty is complete, is between 4.6 and 5.8 inches (though a more recent study of 6200 boys, mostly white, from Bulgaria, put the average at 3.1 to 4.3 inches).
      3. During puberty it is normal for the stretched length to range between 3 and 4.5 inches.
      4. It can be normal in our culture to begin puberty as early as 10 years old or as late as 14.9 years old.
      5. Puberty is NOT set by your age, but by your Tanner Stage (the system doctors use to evaluate development during puberty).
      6. If you are not in the normal range for your stage of development, or if your development is before age 10 or after age 14.9, it’s wise to discuss this with your pediatrician.
      7. During puberty it is recommended that you have a physical exam once a year. Unless you particularly concerned or are far outside the guidelines above, you can bring this up at your annual exam.

      Best, @MsGreene
      Co-founder & Executive Producer DrGreene.com, Mom
      Note: I answer a lot of questions on DrGreene.com, I am the co-founder of DrGreene.com, Dr. Greene’s business partner and wife, but I am a not doctor. Please keep that in mind when reading my comments and replies.

      Added:
  21. William

    I am 15, I don’t know if my penis is growing or not it hasn’t changed size since the beginning of my 10th grade year…. Is there something wrong with my penis

    Added:
  22. Cam

    Compared to all my friends I am a late bloomer. In middle school (7-8th grade) all the boys I knew were going through puberty. Some began in 6th and some began in 7th. They would always brag about their penis sizes or whatever and I would feel uncomfortable. Towards the end of 8th grade my voice began getting deeper and I could tell I began puberty because I began getting pubic hairs. Now I’m a 15 year old in the 10th grade. I just want to know when my penis will stop growing. It is currently [redacted]. If you can, can you estimate how much bigger it’ll get?

    Added:
    • Cheryl Greene

      Cam,

      You will stop growing when you end puberty. If you started late, you will likely end late.

      Here are the steps you can use to determine where you are in the process:

      1. The average stretched length of the penis before puberty is somewhere between 2.1 and 2.9 inches.
      2. The average stretched length of the adult penis, after puberty is complete, is between 4.6 and 5.8 inches (though a more recent study of 6200 boys, mostly white, from Bulgaria, put the average at 3.1 to 4.3 inches).
      3. During puberty it is normal for the stretched length to range between 3 and 4.5 inches.
      4. It can be normal in our culture to begin puberty as early as 10 years old or as late as 14.9 years old.
      5. Puberty is NOT set by your age, but by your Tanner Stage (the system doctors use to evaluate development during puberty).
      6. If you are not in the normal range for your stage of development, or if your development is before age 10 or after age 14.9, it’s wise to discuss this with your pediatrician.
      7. During puberty it is recommended that you have a physical exam once a year. Unless you particularly concerned or are far outside the guidelines above, you can bring this up at your annual exam.

      @MsGreene
      Co-founder & Executive Producer DrGreene.com, Mom
      Note: I answer a lot of questions on DrGreene.com, I am the co-founder of DrGreene.com, Dr. Greene’s business partner and wife, but I am a not doctor. Please keep that in mind when reading my comments and replies.

      Added:
  23. Jj

    Im almost 12 I think I’m going to puberty I’m growing a little beard 1 aleady my penis isn’t growing is it bad or I still didn’t hit puberty?

    Added:
  24. Pete

    Hello, I’m 17 years old and my penis is around [redacted]. Will I still grow?

    Added:
    • Cheryl Greene

      Pete,

      That’s a pretty big range. You might consider re-measuring using these guidelines:

      “In determining size, the “stretched penile length” is far more important than the “relaxed length.” To evaluate penis size, stretch the penis gently and measure from the bone at the base all the way to the tip. Be sure to depress the surrounding fat pad to get all the way to the base.”

      Dr. Greene has more information at this URL –> Penis Size.

      Best, @MsGreene
      Co-founder & Executive Producer DrGreene.com, Mom
      Note: I answer a lot of questions on DrGreene.com, I am the co-founder of DrGreene.com, Dr. Greene’s business partner and wife, but I am a not doctor. Please keep that in mind when reading my comments and replies.

      Added:
  25. Aaron

    Hi i am 15 my penis is [redacted]. I was wondering if I am normal. I have a bit of hait under my arms and an average amount of pubes…please can you help me. Thanks in advance

    Added:
    • Cheryl Greene

      Aaron,

      Here are the guidelines that you can use to track your development now and as you progress through puberty:

      1. The average stretched length of the penis before puberty is somewhere between 2.1 and 2.9 inches.
      2. The average stretched length of the adult penis, after puberty is complete, is between 4.6 and 5.8 inches (though a more recent study of 6200 boys, mostly white, from Bulgaria, put the average at 3.1 to 4.3 inches).
      3. During puberty it is normal for the stretched length to range between 3 and 4.5 inches.
      4. It can be normal in our culture to begin puberty as early as 10 years old or as late as 14.9 years old.
      5. Puberty is NOT set by your age, but by your Tanner Stage (the system doctors use to evaluate development during puberty).
      6. If you are not in the normal range for your stage of development, or if your development is before age 10 or after age 14.9, it’s wise to discuss this with your pediatrician.
      7. During puberty it is recommended that you have a physical exam once a year. Unless you particularly concerned or are far outside the guidelines above, you can bring this up at your annual exam.

      I hope that’s helpful, @MsGreene
      Co-founder & Executive Producer DrGreene.com, Mom
      Note: I answer a lot of questions on DrGreene.com, I am the co-founder of DrGreene.com, Dr. Greene’s business partner, but I am a not doctor. Please keep that in mind when reading my comments and replies.

      Added:
  26. joe

    hi i’m 15 and i am quite small for my age. I am sure that I have not hit puberty yet and my penis size hasn’t grown as I have got older. I believe that I am at tanner stage 1 or 2. Is this normal and just a late bloomer or is it something I need to discuss with my doctor.

    Added:
    • Cheryl Greene

      Joe,

      You are on the cusp of average age for your development. If you are still Stage 1 you are a little late. If you are Stage 2, you can be in the normal range.

      At 15, it’s fine to discuss with your pediatrician, but not urgent.

      Best, @MsGreene
      Co-founder & Executive Producer DrGreene.com, Mom
      Note: Not Dr. Greene, not a doctor. Keep that in mind when reading my comments and replies.

      Added:
  27. Annonamous

    I am 14 with [redacted] and I think it’s small is that normal. I’m I average or over average?

    Added:
  28. Thomas B

    Hello I was just wondering if my penis size is normal for my age and tanner stage group. I am twelve years old and I believe I am in the second stage and my penis erect is probably around a bit over [redacted] in length. Thank you in advance.

    Added:
    • Cheryl Greene

      Thomas B,

      You are asking the exact right question — “for my Tanner Stage, is this normal?”

      Before puberty starts, the average stretched length (not erect) of the penis is somewhere between 2.1 and 2.9 inches. The average stretched length of the adult penis (after puberty is complete) is between 4.6 and 5.8 inches. In Tanner Stage 2, there is only minimal penis enlargement. It can take 3 to 5 years to go through puberty.

      You did give an erect measurement, not a stretched length, so I can say for sure, but it appears that you are right on track for normal.

      Best,
      @MsGreene

      Added:
  29. Devansh

    Hi sir im 12YEAR old and my penis is [redacted by moderator] is this correct size for my age

    Added:
  30. Dee

    My penis is small n skinny im 13 years old n i still dont have armpit hair but I have hair on my penis so when is my penis going to grow n when will i hit purbety n also when am im going 2 grow hair under my arms

    Added:
    • Cheryl Greene

      Hi Dee,

      Typically development follows a set pattern (as outlined above). Once you’ve really started puberty, it will all happen within a few years.

      It’s completely normal for puberty to start as late as 14, so you’re still on track.

      Best,
      @MsGreene
      Co-founder & Executive Producer DrGreene.com, Mom

      Added:
  31. Zak

    I’m 15 years old and I hit puberty about a year ago. I have some armpit hair and pubes my voice changed about 9 moths again but my penis is still really skinny and small. When I’m erect it gets [redacted by moderator] but it’s still skinny. Is it gonna grow any bigger?

    Added:
    • Cheryl Greene

      Zak,

      If you started puberty a year ago, which is within the range of normal timing, it’s very possible that you still have several stages to go through before completing your development.

      Best,
      @MsGreene

      Added:

Comments are closed.