Is it normal to be in stage 4 at age 19?

Last updated on September 7, 2024

Question:

Hello!

Recently, I’ve been studying body development during puberty and came across the Tanner scale test on this website. I found it interesting and took it, but I encountered something I didn’t expect. According to the test, I am at stage 4.5, which I found pretty unusual given that I am 19 years old. From there, I noticed some really funny things about my body, like my feet not growing (I’m 5’10” tall and wear a size seven shoe). My voice has remained the same since I was 12 years old, which is one of my main concerns. So, would being at this stage at this age be considered normal? 

Answer:

The Tanner Stage Calculator depends on your answers. Confusion over what is being asked can potentially cause incorrect conclusions.

Shoe size varies widely between people. Your foot size is smaller than average but not beyond the normal range. The vocal range also varies widely. There is also the problem of an individual having difficulty judging changes that come gradually. You would need to compare recordings of your voice when you were 12 with current recordings to determine if there were changes in your voice. However, vocal changes come during stage 4; since you are in that stage, your voice may deepen more.