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Are bowlegs and knock-knees normal in kids?
Bowlegs and knock-knees in kids follow a normal pattern by age. Here's when legs straighten, why braces rarely help, and the signs that need a doctor's check.
The short answer
Usually yes. Many children are bowlegged until about age 2, then look knock-kneed until about age 6, and some don't have straight lower legs until 9 or 10. These shapes are normally variations of normal that straighten on their own. Talk to the pediatrician if the curve is extreme, only one leg is affected, bowing gets worse after age 2, knock-knees last past 7, or your child is unusually short for their age.
Bowlegs and knock-knees are usually normal stages, not problems. The American Academy of Pediatrics says many children have bowed legs until about age 2, then look knock-kneed until about age 6, and a few don't have straight lower legs until 9 or 10 (Bowlegs and Knock-Knees, HealthyChildren.org, accessed November 13, 2026). In most kids the legs straighten by the teen years without any treatment.
The normal timeline
Leg shape changes in a predictable swing:
| Age | Typical leg shape | What you might notice |
|---|---|---|
| Newborn to about 2 | Bowed (knees apart when ankles touch) | A wide, rolling toddler walk |
| About 2 to 6 | Knock-kneed (knees touch, ankles apart) | Knees brushing as they run |
| About 6 to 10 | Gradually straighter | Legs line up more evenly |
| Teen years | Usually straight | The swing is finished |
Babies are curled up in the womb for months, which is part of why the legs start out bowed. As children stand, walk and grow, the bones remodel and the angle swings the other way before settling.
How to look at your child's legs
Have your child stand barefoot on a hard floor with feet pointing forward.
- For bowlegs: gently bring the ankles together. Is there a gap between the knees? A small one is common under 2.
- For knock-knees: bring the knees together. Is there a gap between the ankles? A modest gap is common between 2 and 6.
Take a phone photo from the front every few months. Comparing pictures over time is more helpful than worrying about a single day.
Why braces and special shoes aren't the answer
It's natural to want to "fix" a curve. But the AAP says bracing, corrective shoes and exercise are rarely helpful for these normal shapes, and they may get in the way of a child's physical development and cause needless emotional stress. For the usual pattern, the best plan is to let your child run, climb and play and check the legs at routine visits.
When the curve is a sign of something else
Rarely, bowlegs or knock-knees come from a disease. The AAP lists arthritis, injury to the growth plate around the knee, infection, tumor, Blount's disease (a growth disorder of the shinbone) and rickets as possible causes.
Warning signs the AAP says should prompt a talk with your pediatrician:
- The curve is extreme.
- Only one side is affected.
- Bowlegs get worse after age 2.
- Knock-knees persist after age 7.
- Your child is also unusually short for their age.
If any of these fit, the pediatrician may order X-rays or blood tests and may refer you to a pediatric orthopedist.
A note on rickets and vitamin D
Rickets is a softening of the bones, most often from not getting enough vitamin D. It's uncommon today but still seen. If your child drinks very little milk or fortified alternatives, has a restricted diet, or gets little sunlight, ask the pediatrician whether a vitamin D supplement makes sense. Don't start supplements on your own without checking the dose.
Blount's disease in brief
Blount's disease affects the growth plate at the top of the shinbone, so the bowing gets worse instead of better after the toddler years. It's one of the reasons the AAP flags bowing that increases after 2. Early treatment can include bracing in young children, which is a different situation from bracing a normal curve.
Questions for the checkup
If you're unsure, bring these to the next well visit:
- When did you first notice the curve, and has it changed since?
- Is it the same on both legs?
- Does your child complain of pain in the knees, hips or ankles?
- Is your child growing along their usual height curve?
- What does your child eat and drink most days, especially milk or fortified alternatives?
Your photos from the front, taken a few months apart, answer the first two questions better than any description. Most of the time the pediatrician will look, measure and reassure you that the swing is on track, with a plan to look again at the next visit.
Everyday activity is fine
Children with normal bowlegs or knock-knees can do every activity their friends do. Running, ballet, soccer, swimming and climbing all build strong legs. If your child complains of knee or hip pain, limps, or tires much faster than friends, mention it, because pain isn't part of the normal swing.
What to say if other kids notice
Kids sometimes comment on a friend's legs. Keep your child's answer short and confident: "My legs are still growing straight. Everybody's do." Most children don't notice their own leg shape until someone else points it out, so a calm adult response helps it pass.
Catching the growing-up years
The bowlegged toddler waddle and the knock-kneed preschool sprint are gone before you know it. A personalized milestones book keeps those stages, first steps to first race, in one story. See the milestones book, a finished example, and milestone gifts.
Related reading
FAQ
My 18-month-old's legs look very bowed. Should I worry?
Bowing is normal at that age. Ask the doctor if it's extreme, uneven between legs, or getting worse after 2.
Will knock-knees affect my child's sports?
Usually not. Normal knock-knees don't limit activity; pain or limping is the thing to report.
Do baby walkers or early standing cause bowlegs?
Bowing is a normal stage of growth. Walkers are discouraged for safety reasons, not leg shape.
