The Frame Score (FS) system of measurement was developed to help assess the growth potential of feeder cattle and to help predict the mature height of young cattle. A calf is measured over the hip, and its height in inches is used with its age in months, in a formula adjusted for age & sex, to determine what frame score it is. Theoretically, an animal has the same frame score its entire life.
      The Frame Score system for cattle was first developed in the 1970s at the University of Missouri under the guidance of Drs. John Massey and G.B. Thompson. The frame score system quickly became used nationwide. It was adopted by the Beef Improvement Federation, and became used by most beef cattle breed registries. Today it is used by many breeders across the world as a universal comparative measurement for height in cattle.
      The frame score system and the adjusted formula used, was designed for cattle from frame score 1 to frame score 10. Frame scores less than 1 have not been studied or proven to work with this same formula. Therefore it is important to realize that frame score charts can only be used as “guesstimates” for miniature cattle. And, standard frame score charts can not be expected to work for cattle that carry dwarfism genes.
      However, since this universal standard is the most accurate that we have, I blended all existing frame score charts used since the 1970s, and added in all smaller frame scores down to FS000000 (6-aught), to help breeders predict mature height in young miniature cattle.
      To figure out an animal's frame score, measure your cattle (when 5 months of age or older) over their back, above the hip (hook bone). Compare their height & age to these charts for a quick easy estimate of their frame score. You can also use the frame score formulas (printed on the charts) to figure a FS that should be as close to accurate as possible. Identifying your young cattle's FS is helpful when selecting, registering and marketing your cattle. As you gain years of experience breeding miniature cattle, with pr0per record keeping, you may be able to further modify these charts to more accurately predict mature height in your young cattle.
      Scroll down for several BIF compliant beef cattle frame score charts. Each one opens into a separate window. Scroll down to read more about dairy cattle stature, 12 things to understand about Frame Scores in Homestead & Miniature breeds of cattle, and some cattle Frame Score trivia.

1. Official North American beef cattle industry Frame Score charts are maintained by the Beef Improvement Federation (BIF), which was founded in 1968. FS charts use a difference in height at the same age by 2 inches per number score. Chart numbers for 5 to 21 month old growing cattle are computed with a mathematical formula (one for bulls and one for heifers) that represents the researched average growth patterns recorded in 1000s of cattle across many breeds (although NOT any miniature cattle!) over many years of record keeping.
2. Cattle theoretically have the same Frame Score (FS) throughout their life.
3. FS charts help owners estimate the expected mature height of their young cattle at any age after 5 months. Frame Scores help ranchers monitor and describe the mature cow size of their herd. FSs are used by miniature registries to determine height divisions.
4. Miniature cattle breeds use a cutoff height of 42-43 inches, measuring 3YO cows over the hip when 36 mos of age.
5. Bulls of the same frame score mature taller than cows; however in miniature cattle, the difference may be proportionately less.
6. Different miniature cattle registries set slightly different height limits in their herdbook divisions, but most are fairly similar.
7. Most registries require measurements of their cattle over the hip. One miniature registry measures to the top of the hook bone, and a few registries measure right behind the shoulder. If you have cattle that qualify for more than one registry, check their requirements and include all measurements to cover your bases.
8. Height is usually not a factor for eligibility in most cattle registries other than miniature breeds and a few small frame breeds.
9. Measuring yearlings when exactly 12 months (365 days) of age, using the actual FS formula (not just the FS chart numbers) provided on the charts, should provide the most reliable frame score and mature height prediction in normal growing, healthy, young cattle.
10. Frame Score Charts are only a guide. Individual animals will vary while growing. FS chart numbers show a (smooth) gradual average growth curve. In real life, many animals have a "bumpier" growth curve full of growth spurts, changing conformation (angles), type (early or later maturing) and environment (nutrition, climate, long feet, even thickness of hair, etc).
11. Grassfed vs Grain: Don't forget: Frame scores can vary in animals that mature earlier or later compared with average animals. Cattle on pasture grow slower than cattle pushed for maximum gain (fed high levels of grain in feedlots), or even calves fed grain earlier in life when developing their endocrine system. Grassfed cattle that receive supplements should gain at rates somewhere in the middle. Calves weaned earlier or later will be affected in growth & height.
12. Although smaller breeds tend to mature earlier, many heritage breeds of cattle actually keep growing up to 7 years of age.