These questions are frequently asked by female readers. This table is here to provide information for girls and their parents. A lot of people seem so overly concerned about what is “normal” for themselves or for their child. If you think something is wrong, consult with your health care provider.
Puberty in girls is a process that varies from person to person. There is a wide range of ‘normal’ starting times, and the onset time varies in different ethnic groups. For example, it may occur between the ages of 8 and 14 in Caucasian girls, and may begin as early as 7 years of age in African American girls.
Puberty is outwardly manifested by two main sets of changes: Rapid increases in height and weight, referred to as the height and weight spurts. The development of breasts, and pubic and underarm (axillary) hair.
Health care providers stage the physical changes of puberty on a scale of 1 to 5 known as Tanner staging, named after James Mourilyan Tanner, who first identified and named these stages.
The Stages of Development of Puberty in Girls
by Jennifer Johnson, MD, MS
The table below summarizes the events at each stage of development. The average age listed here can vary widely; about 2 years either side of these listed ages will usually be considered normal.
| Sexual Maturity Rating | Average Age (Years) | Features | What Happens |
| 1 | 8 2/3 | Growth, breasts and pubic hair | Height spurt begins. Body fat at 15.7%. Breasts are prepubertal; no glandular tissue. No pubic hair. |
| 2 | 11 1/4 | Breasts | The areola (pigmented area around the nipple) enlarges and becomes darker. It raises to become a mound with a small amount of breast tissue underneath. This is called a bud . |
| 2 | 11 3/4 | Pubic hair and growth | A few long, downy, slightly darkened hairs appear along the labia majora. At the end of this stage, the body fat has increased to 18.9%. |
| 3 | 11 2/3 | Growth | Peak height velocity(maximum growth rate) is reached. Body fat is now 21.6%. |
| 3 | 12 | Breasts | Development of breast tissue past the edge of the areola. |
| 3 | 12 1/3 | Pubic hair | Moderate amount of more curly, pigmented, and coarser hair on the mons pubis (the raised, fatty area above the labia majora). Hair begins to spread more laterally. Menarche (first menstrual period) occurs in 20% of girls during this pubic hair stage |
| 4 | 12 3/4 | Pubic hair | Hair is close to adult pubic hair in curliness and coarseness. Area of pubis covered is smaller than adults, and there are no hairs on the middle surfaces of the thighs. Menarche occurs in 50% of girls. |
| 4 | 13 | Breasts | Continued development of breast tissue; in side view, areola and nipple protrude. |
| 4 | 13 | Growth | End of growth spurt. Body fat reaches mature proportion: 26%. After menstruation begins, girls grow at most 3 -4 inches usually less. |
| 5 | 14 1/2 | Pubic hair and Body fat | Adult. It is normal for some long pigmented hairs to grow on the inner thighs. Body fat remains at 26.7%. |
| 5 | 15 1/4 | Breasts | Adult breasts. |