Free tool · Pregnancy
Car Seat Stage & Fit Finder
See which car-seat stage fits your child and which seats match their size.
Enter your child's age, weight and height to see the right seat type and models whose limits fit.
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Enter your child’s age, weight and height to see their stage and seats that fit.
Always follow your car seat manual and local law. This tool doesn't replace a professional fit check.
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Results use each manufacturer's published limits. Every result links to the manufacturer's manual — always follow it.
The four car seat stages
1. Rear-facing
From the first ride home, babies ride rear-facing. Keep your child rear-facing for as long as possible, up to the highest weight or height your seat allows — most convertible seats allow rear-facing for 2 years or more.
Move on when: When your child reaches the rear-facing weight or height limit of their seat.
2. Forward-facing with a harness
Once your child has outgrown rear-facing, use a forward-facing seat with a harness for as long as possible, up to the seat’s top weight or height. The AAP says a harness is best for as long as possible, at least to 4 years of age.
Move on when: When your child reaches the harness weight or height limit of their seat.
3. Booster seat
After the harness, use a belt-positioning booster with the car’s lap and shoulder belt until the adult seat belt fits — typically at 4 feet 9 inches (145 cm) and between 8 and 12 years old.
Move on when: When the seat belt fits correctly without the booster (see the seat belt stage).
4. Seat belt
The seat belt fits when the shoulder belt crosses the middle of the chest and shoulder (not the neck), the lap belt sits low across the upper thighs (not the belly), and your child can sit back with knees bent over the seat edge. Most children fit a seat belt alone between 10 and 12 years. All children under 13 should ride in the back seat.