Car seat rules change as your child grows, and clear answers are surprisingly hard to find. These tools give you a direct answer for your own child’s age, height and weight, based on NHTSA and AAP guidance.
Most used
Stage & readiness (8)
Is your child ready to face forward, move up to a booster, or ride without one? Enter their age, height and weight to see which stage they belong in right now.
Installation (4)
Most car seats are fitted wrong in at least one way. Check your installation, and work out whether you should be using the LATCH anchors or the seat belt.
Newborn (2)
Bringing a baby home has its own seat requirements, and they are stricter for babies born early or small. These cover the first ride and the weeks that follow.
Safety & recalls (5)
Car seats expire, get recalled, and have to be replaced after some crashes even when they look perfectly fine. Check yours here.
Travel & away from home (3)
Flying, taking a rideshare, or handing your child off at the school gate. The rules shift as soon as you are not in your own car.
Laws by region (8)
Car seat law is set state by state and country by country, not nationally. Pick where you live, or where you are driving to, and see exactly what is required.
Quizzes (3)
Short quizzes to check what you actually know. Useful for grandparents, babysitters and anyone else who drives your kids.