Most babies have perfectly normal head sizes - don't worry! A newborn's average head circumference (sir ka size) is around 34-35 cm (13.5 inches), and your pediatrician tracks this at every visit to ensure healthy brain development. Minor variations from average are completely normal and often run in families.
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Your baby's head grows rapidly in the first year. Here's what to expect:
| Age (weeks) | Head circumference (cm) | Head circumference (inches) |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 33.9 | 13.35 |
| 1 | 34.6 | 13.62 |
| 2 | 35.2 | 13.86 |
| 3 | 35.8 | 14.1 |
| 4 | 36.4 | 14.33 |
| 5 | 36.8 | 14.49 |
| 6 | 37.3 | 14.69 |
| 7 | 37.7 | 14.84 |
| 8 | 38 | 14.96 |
| 9 | 38.4 | 15.12 |
| 10 | 38.7 | 15.24 |
| 11 | 39 | 15.35 |
| 12 | 39.3 | 15.47 |
| 13 | 39.5 | 15.55 |
| Age (weeks) | Average head circumference (cm) | Average head circumference (inches) |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 34.5 | 13.58 |
| 1 | 35.2 | 13.86 |
| 2 | 35.9 | 14.13 |
| 3 | 36.5 | 14.37 |
| 4 | 37.1 | 14.61 |
| 5 | 37.6 | 14.8 |
| 6 | 38.1 | 15 |
| 7 | 38.5 | 15.16 |
| 8 | 38.9 | 15.32 |
| 9 | 39.2 | 15.43 |
| 10 | 39.6 | 15.59 |
| 11 | 39.9 | 15.71 |
| 12 | 40.2 | 15.83 |
| 13 | 40.5 | 15.95 |
| Age (months) | Head circumference (cm) | Head circumference (inches) |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 34.5 | 13.58 |
| 1 | 37.3 | 14.69 |
| 2 | 39.1 | 15.39 |
| 3 | 40.5 | 15.95 |
| 4 | 41.6 | 16.38 |
| 5 | 42.6 | 16.77 |
| 6 | 43.3 | 17.05 |
| 7 | 44 | 17.32 |
| 8 | 44.5 | 17.52 |
| 9 | 45 | 17.72 |
| 10 | 45.4 | 17.87 |
| 11 | 45.8 | 18.03 |
| 12 | 46.1 | 18.15 |
| 13 | 46.3 | 18.23 |
| 14 | 46.6 | 18.35 |
| 15 | 46.8 | 18.43 |
| 16 | 47 | 18.5 |
| 17 | 47.2 | 18.58 |
| 18 | 47.4 | 18.66 |
| 19 | 47.5 | 18.7 |
| 20 | 47.7 | 18.78 |
| 21 | 47.8 | 18.82 |
| 22 | 48 | 18.9 |
| 23 | 48.1 | 18.94 |
| 24 | 48.3 | 19.02 |
| Age (months) | Head circumference (cm) | Head circumference (inches) |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 33.9 | 13.35 |
| 1 | 36.5 | 14.37 |
| 2 | 38.3 | 15.08 |
| 3 | 39.5 | 15.55 |
| 4 | 40.6 | 15.98 |
| 5 | 41.5 | 16.34 |
| 6 | 42.2 | 16.61 |
| 7 | 42.8 | 16.85 |
| 8 | 43.4 | 17.09 |
| 9 | 43.8 | 17.24 |
| 10 | 44.2 | 17.4 |
| 11 | 44.6 | 17.56 |
| 12 | 44.9 | 17.68 |
| 13 | 45.2 | 17.8 |
| 14 | 45.4 | 17.87 |
| 15 | 45.7 | 17.99 |
| 16 | 45.9 | 18.07 |
| 17 | 46.1 | 18.15 |
| 18 | 46.2 | 18.19 |
| 19 | 46.4 | 18.27 |
| 20 | 46.6 | 18.35 |
| 21 | 46.7 | 18.39 |
| 22 | 46.9 | 18.46 |
| 23 | 47 | 18.5 |
| 24 | 47.2 | 18.58 |
| Age (months) | Average head circumference (cm) | Average head circumference (inches) |
|---|---|---|
| 23.5 | 47.41 | 18.67 |
| 24.5 | 47.54 | 18.72 |
| 25.5 | 47.66 | 18.76 |
| 26.5 | 47.78 | 18.81 |
| 27.5 | 47.89 | 18.85 |
| 28.5 | 48 | 18.9 |
| 29.5 | 48.1 | 18.94 |
| 30.5 | 48.19 | 18.97 |
| 31.5 | 48.28 | 19.01 |
| 32.5 | 48.37 | 19.04 |
| 33.5 | 48.45 | 19.08 |
| 34.5 | 48.52 | 19.1 |
| 35.5 | 48.6 | 19.13 |
| 36 | 48.63 | 19.15 |
| Age (months) | Average head circumference (cm) | Average head circumference (inches) |
|---|---|---|
| 23.5 | 48.60 | 19.13 |
| 24.5 | 48.72 | 19.18 |
| 25.5 | 48.83 | 19.22 |
| 26.5 | 48.94 | 19.27 |
| 27.5 | 49.04 | 19.31 |
| 28.5 | 49.13 | 19.34 |
| 29.5 | 49.22 | 19.38 |
| 30.5 | 49.31 | 19.41 |
| 31.5 | 49.38 | 19.44 |
| 32.5 | 49.46 | 19.47 |
| 33.5 | 49.53 | 19.5 |
| 34.5 | 49.59 | 19.52 |
| 35.5 | 49.65 | 19.55 |
| 36 | 49.68 | 19.56 |
Important: These are approximate ranges. Your baby following their own consistent growth curve matters more than hitting exact numbers.
The head circumference (fronto-occipital circumference or OFC) is a simple way to monitor brain growth. Doctors measure from just above the eyebrows, around the widest part of the head. The brain grows most rapidly in the first two years - that's why this measurement is taken at every well-baby visit.
Reassurance for parents: Most head size variations are genetic. If you or your partner have a larger or smaller head, your baby likely will too - and that's perfectly healthy!
Contact your pediatrician if you notice:
For Healthy Head Development:
Tracking at Home:
A: In most cases, yes! Many Indian babies have heads that appear larger in proportion to their bodies - this is often genetic and perfectly normal. What matters is that your baby's head is growing at a consistent rate on their growth chart. If it's following the same percentile curve, there's usually nothing to worry about.
A: Not necessarily. Being in the 95th percentile simply means your baby's head is larger than 95% of babies the same age. If your baby has always been around this percentile and is meeting developmental milestones, this is likely just their normal. Family history of larger heads also plays a role. Your pediatrician will monitor the growth pattern, not just one measurement.
A: The front soft spot typically closes between 12-18 months, while the smaller back one closes by 2-3 months. Don't worry - the soft spot is designed to allow brain growth and is protected by a tough membrane. You can gently touch and clean it.
A: Positional flattening (plagiocephaly) is very common and usually improves as babies start sitting up and spending less time on their backs. Tummy time, repositioning, and sometimes a special helmet can help in more noticeable cases. Most babies' heads round out beautifully by age 1-2.
A: Your pediatrician will measure at every well-baby visit - typically at birth, 1 week, 1 month, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, 15 months, 18 months, and 24 months. After age 2, measurements are less frequent unless there are concerns.
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This article was reviewed by a pediatrician. Last updated: January 2026*
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