Car Seat Stage Checker
Find the right car seat stage — rear-facing, forward-facing harness, booster or seat belt — from your child's age, height and weight, following AAP guidance.
For general information only — not medical advice. Results are estimates; talk to a doctor or qualified health professional about your own health.
How to use
- 1Enter your child's age, height and weight.
- 2Always check the limits on your specific seat's label and manual.
How it's calculated
AAP: rear-facing as long as possible (until the seat's rear-facing limit, at least age 2 in most states); then forward-facing with a harness to the seat's limit; then a belt-positioning booster until the adult belt fits (usually 4′9″ / 145 cm, age 8–12). Back seat until 13.
Frequently asked questions
When can my child face forward?
When they outgrow the rear-facing height or weight limit of their convertible seat — many seats allow rear-facing to 40–50 lb, often past age 3 or 4.
When can my child stop using a booster?
When the lap belt sits on the upper thighs and the shoulder belt crosses the chest and collarbone — usually at 4′9″ (145 cm), between 8 and 12 years old.
Do laws differ from these recommendations?
Yes — state and national laws set minimums; AAP recommendations are safer best practice. Follow whichever is stricter.