Pedemy All toolsTap the answers about your child and their seat. You’ll see the safest car seat stage right away.
This tool helps parents find the safest car seat stage for their child right now. It asks simple questions about whether your child still fits their current seat instead of relying on age alone.
First, it asks whether your child is still within the rear-facing weight and height limits on the seat's label; most convertible seats allow rear-facing up to 40 to 50 pounds, usually 2 years or longer. If not, it asks whether your child still fits a forward-facing seat with a harness. If the harness is outgrown, you check three points of adult seat belt fit: the shoulder belt across the chest, the lap belt low on the thighs, and sitting all the way back with knees bent at the seat edge for the whole trip. Most children pass at about 4 feet 9 inches tall, between 8 and 12 years old.
The result names the stage — rear-facing, forward-facing with harness, booster, or adult seat belt — with tips for getting it right, and reminds you that all children under 13 should ride in the back seat. It is based on AAP HealthyChildren.org car seat information (updated April 16, 2026) and the AAP 2018 child passenger safety policy.
Keep your child rear-facing as long as possible, until they reach the highest rear-facing weight or height your seat allows. Most convertible seats allow rear-facing up to 40–50 pounds, usually 2 years or longer. Bent legs touching the vehicle seat are fine.
When the adult seat belt fits by itself: the shoulder belt crosses the chest and shoulder, the lap belt is low on the upper thighs, and your child sits back with knees bent at the seat edge for the whole trip. This is usually at 4 feet 9 inches, between 8 and 12 years.
All children under 13 years should ride in the back seat. Never place a rear-facing seat in front of an active airbag.
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