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    Car Seats and Booster Seats

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      Overview
                      Car seats and boosters provide protection for infants and children in a crash, yet car crashes are a leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 13. That's why it's so important to choose and use the right car seat correctly every time your child is in the car. Follow these important steps to choose the right seat, install it correctly and keep your child safe.

          
                    
          
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                                Safety Facts

                                                  325
      Children under 5 saved by car seats in one year
      Source
                                  40%
      Children killed in car crashes in 2021 who were unrestrained
      Source
                                  46%
      of car seats and booster seats are used incorrectly

        Don’t think you know. Know you know.
              Find the Right Car Seat for Your Child

        Car Seats and Booster Seats
                                                                                                              Find The Right Car Seat
                                                                                                  Installation Help
                                                                                Registration
                                                                                Resources

      The Process
                                      Car Seat Types
                                      Car Seat Recommendations
                                      Find & Compare Seats
                                                        Parts & Tips
                                      Car Seat Installation Instructions
                                      Inspection

        Car Seats and Booster Seats
      Find The Right Car Seat
                      
                                              The Process
                                                          Car Seat Types
                                                          Car Seat Recommendations
                                                          Find & Compare Seats
                                                                              Installation Help
                      
                                              Parts & Tips
                                                          Car Seat Installation Instructions
                                                          Inspection
                                                                              Registration
                                                                              Resources

                    Find The Right Car Seat
                  

                  The Process
          
          
    
  
       
  
Related Topic
		Child Safety
   
  Follow these steps to help you through the process of finding the right car seat, installing it correctly, and keeping your child safe.
Find the right car seat
Learn about the four car seat types
Follow NHTSA’s car seat recommendations based on your child’s age and size
Find and compare car seats and ease-of-use-ratings using NHTSA’s Car Seat FinderInstall your car seat correctly
Understand the parts and tips used for installation
Follow our detailed car seat installation instructions and videos
Get your car seat inspected at a station nearest youKeep your child safe in a car seat
Register your car seat and sign up for recall notices to receive safety updates

 
  

      Car Seat Safety Tips
          How to Choose the Right Seat
              
          Watch the videoFind The Right Car Seat
                  

                  Car Seat Types
          
          
    
  
       
  Learn about the four types of car seats, while keeping in mind the following tips:As children grow, how they sit in your car will change. Make sure you use a car seat that fits your child’s current size and age.Not all car seats fit in all vehicles. Make sure the car seat is the right fit for your vehicle (PDF, 1.77 MB). Test the car seat you plan to buy to make sure it fits well in your vehicle.Buy a car seat that can be installed and used correctly every time.

 
  Rear-Facing Car SeatCar seat rear-facingThe best seat for your young child to use. It has a harness and, in a crash, cradles and moves with your child to reduce the stress to the child's fragile neck and spinal cord.

 
  **Types****Infant Car Seat (Rear-Facing only)****:** Designed for newborns and small babies, the infant-only car seat is a small, portable seat that can only be used rear-facing. Most babies outgrow their infant seats before their first birthday. When that happens, we recommend that parents purchase a convertible or all-in-one car seat and use it rear-facing.**Convertible Seat****:** As a child grows, this seat can change from a rear-facing seat to a forward-facing seat with a harness and tether. Because it can be used with children of various sizes, it allows for children to stay in the rear-facing position longer.**All-in-One Seat****:** This seat can change from a rear-facing seat to a forward-facing seat (with a harness and tether) and to a booster seat as a child grows. Because it can be used with children of various sizes, it allows for children to stay in the rear-facing position longer.

 
  Forward-Facing Car SeatCar seat forward-facingHas a harness and tether that limits your child's forward movement during a crash.

 
  **Types****Convertible Seat****:**As a child grows, this seat can change from a rear-facing seat to a forward-facing seat with a harness and tether.**Combination Seat****:**As a child grows, this seat transitions from a forward-facing seat with a harness and tether into a booster.**All-in-One Seat****:**This seat can change from a rear-facing seat to a forward-facing seat (with a harness and tether) and to a booster seat as a child grows.

 
  Booster SeatCar seat boosterRaises and positions a child so the vehicle’s lap-and-shoulder belt fits properly over the stronger points of a child’s body, the hips and across the chest.

 
  Types**Booster Seat With High Back****:** This type of booster seat is designed to boost the child’s height so the seat belt fits properly. It also provides neck and head support and is ideal for vehicles that don’t have head rests or high seat backs.**Backless Booster Seat****:** A backless booster seat is designed to boost the child’s height so the seat belt fits properly. It does not provide head and neck support. It is ideal for vehicles that have head rests.**Combination Seat****:** As a child grows, this seat transitions from a forward-facing seat with a harness into a booster.**All-in-One Seat****:** This seat can change from a rear-facing seat to a forward-facing seat (with a harness and tether) and to a booster seat as a child grows.

 
  Seat BeltSeat BeltShould lie across the upper thighs and be snug across the shoulder and chest to restrain your child safely in a crash. It should not rest on the stomach area or across the neck or face.Find The Right Car Seat
                  

                  Car Seat Recommendations
          
          
    
  
       
  There are many car seat choices on the market. Use the information below to help you choose the type of car seat that best meets your child’s needs or print out NHTSA’s car seat recommendations for children (PDF, 370 KB).
Select a car seat based on your child’s age and size, then choose a seat that fits in your vehicle, and use it every time.
Always refer to your specific car seat manufacturer’s instructions (check height and weight limits) and read the vehicle owner’s manual on how to install the car seat using the seat belt or lower anchors and a tether, if available.
To maximize safety, keep your child in the car seat for as long as possible, as long as the child fits within the manufacturer’s height and weight requirements.
Keep your child in the back seat at least through age 12.

 
  **Recommended car seats based on your child's age and size**

 
  


 
  **Rear-Facing Car Seat**Car seat rear-facing

 
  Birth-12 MonthsYour child under age 1 should always ride in a rear-facing car seat. There are different types of rear-facing car seats:Infant-only seats can only be used rear-facing.Convertible and all-in-one car seats typically have higher height and weight limits for the rear-facing position, allowing you to keep your child rear-facing for a longer period of time.1 – 3 YearsKeep your child rear-facing as long as possible. It’s the best way to keep him or her safe. Your child should remain in a rear-facing car seat until he or she reaches the top height or weight limit allowed by your car seat’s manufacturer. Once your child outgrows the rear-facing car seat, your child is ready to travel in a forward-facing car seat with a harness and tether.

 
  **Forward-Facing Car Seat**Car seat forward-facing

 
  1 – 3 YearsKeep your child rear-facing as long as possible. It’s the best way to keep him or her safe. Your child should remain in a rear-facing car seat until he or she reaches the top height or weight limit allowed by your car seat’s manufacturer. Once your child outgrows the rear-facing car seat, your child is ready to travel in a forward-facing car seat with a harness and tether.4 – 7 YearsKeep your child in a forward-facing car seat with a harness and tether until he or she reaches the top height or weight limit allowed by your car seat’s manufacturer. Once your child outgrows the forward-facing car seat with a harness, it’s time to travel in a booster seat, but still in the back seat.

 
  Booster SeatCar seat booster

 
  4 – 7 YearsKeep your child in a forward-facing car seat with a harness and tether until he or she reaches the top height or weight limit allowed by your car seat’s manufacturer. Once your child outgrows the forward-facing car seat with a harness, it’s time to travel in a booster seat, but still in the back seat.8 – 12 YearsKeep your child in a booster seat until he or she is big enough to fit in a seat belt properly. For a seat belt to fit properly the lap belt must lie snugly across the upper thighs, not the stomach. The shoulder belt should lie snugly across the shoulder and chest and not cross the neck or face. Remember: your child should still ride in the back seat because it’s safer there.

 
  Seat BeltSeat Belt

 
  8 – 12 YearsKeep your child in a booster seat until he or she is big enough to fit in a seat belt properly. For a seat belt to fit properly the lap belt must lie snugly across the upper thighs, not the stomach. The shoulder belt should lie snugly across the shoulder and chest and not cross the neck or face. Remember: your child should still ride in the back seat because it’s safer there.Find The Right Car Seat
                  

                  Find & Compare Seats
          
          
    
  
       
  


Car Seat Finder

            **Find the right car seat**Car Seat Finder
        
                    
          Search BrandsSearch car seats by brand name and model
                          Find car seats for your child by brand, or look up the details of a specific car seat model.

 
  Ease-of-Use Ratings ExplainedThe Car Seat Finder is an easy-to-use tool that lets you compare seats and ease-of-use ratings to find the right car seat for your child. Just fill out your child’s age, height and weight above, and you’ll be provided car seat types that fit your child. Before you get started, make sure you're familiar with the four types of car seats and NHTSA’s recommendations for choosing the right type of seat for your child.
                Installation Help
                  

                  Car Seat Installation Parts and Tips
          
          
    
  
       
  Car Seat Installation TipsYour child’s safety could be in jeopardy if your car seat is not installed correctly. Before you install your car seat, make sure you’re familiar with vehicle and car seat parts used in the installation process and these important installation safety tips.

 
  Vehicle and Car Seat Parts ExplainedEvery car seat needs to be installed using either the lower anchors **or** a seat belt to secure it in place, never both. If you choose to use a seat belt to install your car seat, pay close attention to how to  “lock” your seat belt according to the vehicle’s owner manual. With a forward-facing car seat, use a tether if one is available. Before installing your car seat make sure you understand the function and location of the vehicle and car seat parts that are used in installation.

 
  Car Seat GlossaryVehicle PartsLower Anchors**Used for installing a car seat using its lower anchor attachments**The lower anchors are found in a minimum of two rear seating positions in a vehicle. Each lower-anchor-equipped seating position has two small horizontal bars found in the space between the vehicle seat’s back and bottom cushion (the “seat bight”).Tether Anchor**Used for attaching a car seat's tether to the vehicle**Typically there are a minimum of three tether anchors in a vehicle. In sedans, these are usually located above/behind the vehicle’s back seat on the rear shelf. In some larger vehicles such as vans, pickup trucks, and SUVs, these tether anchors may be found on the back of a vehicle seat, on the floor, the ceiling, or other location.To avoid confusing tether anchors with other hardware such as luggage tie-downs, be sure to read your vehicle’s owner manual carefully to find out where they are located in your particular vehicle.

 
    
  Car Seat Parts
              

            Attach top tether from the car seat to the tether anchor in the vehicle.
Fasten lower anchor attachments on the car seat to the lower anchors in the vehicle.
      Lower Anchor Attachments**Used to install the car seat in a vehicle with lower anchors****Tether****Used to secure a forward-facing car seat and limit forward head movement in a crash**The tether is located on the top rear of convertible, combination, and all-in-one car seats. It’s adjustable and has a hook and strap that connects to one of your vehicle’s tether anchors. Most rear-facing car seats in the United States do not use a tether for installation. However, installations vary from model to model, so you must review your particular car seat’s instructions and your vehicle’s owner manual carefully.Follow your car seat manufacturer’s instructions regarding when and how to use the tether for your particular seat. NHTSA recommends always using a tether with a forward-facing car seat—installed with your vehicle’s seat belt OR the lower anchors—as long as it is permitted by both the car seat and vehicle manufacturers. IMPORTANT: Both installation methods are designed to work with the tether to achieve the highest level of safety for child passengers restrained in forward-facing car seats.**Lower Anchor Weight Limits**Lower anchors have weight limits set by the vehicle and car seat manufacturers. You can determine the lower anchor weight limit by checking the warning label or installation diagrams located on the side of the car seat. If your car seat does not have a label, you can determine the maximum allowable child weight for lower anchor use by subtracting the weight of the car seat (usually available in the car seat’s instruction manual) from 65 pounds.Lower anchor weight limit = 65 lbs – weight of car seat**Know the Facts**Once your child outgrows the vehicle or car seat manufacturer’s established limits for the lower anchors, stop using the lower anchor attachments and reinstall the car seat using the vehicle’s seat belt.Installation Help
                  

                  Car Seat Installation Instructions
          
          
    
  
       
  Once you've become familiar with vehicle and car seat parts used for installation and NHTSA's tips to install your car seat, you're ready to follow these detailed car seat installation instructions and videos by type.

 
    
  How to Install Rear-Facing Car Seats
              Rear-Facing-Only Infant Car Seat
Convertible Car Seat
All-in-One Car Seat
                      
            How to Install Forward-Facing Car Seats
              Convertible Car Seat
Combination Car Seat
All-in-One Car Seat
                      
            How to Install Booster Seats
              High-Back Booster Seat
Backless Booster Seat
Combination Car Seat as a Booster Seat
All-in-One Car Seat Used as a BoosterInstallation Help
                  

                  Car Seat Inspection
          
          
    
  
       
  Get your car seat inspected
Whether you’ve just installed a car seat or need help installing or using one, get help at a car seat inspection station near you. Certified technicians will inspect your car seat free of charge, in most cases, and show you how to correctly install and use it. Some locations now offer virtual inspections.

 
  


 
  *Can’t find an inspection station near you? You may be able to find a tech through**Safe Kids Worldwide**.*
                Registration
                  

                  Register Your Car Seat
          
          
    
  
       
  Congratulations — you chose the right car seat and installed it correctly. Now it’s time to register your car seat with the manufacturer to receive recalls and safety notices so your child can remain safe. Also, you can sign up with NHTSA to receive e-mail alerts about car seat and booster seat recalls.

 
    Register your car seat to receive important safety updates
                **Registering your car seat makes sense**
The car seat manufacturer can contact you directly about recalls and safety notices.
**Registering your car seat is easy**
Send in the card that came with your car seat or complete a quick registration on the manufacturer’s website. Your child’s safety could depend on it.


                SELECT MANUFACTURERDorelEvenfloGracoRecaroDiono (formerly Sunshine Kids)ClekChiccoRegal Lager/CybexOrbitTomyBritaxBaby TrendDream on Me/Mia ModaSummer InfantCombiPeg PeregoKids EmbraceUPPABabyBubbleBumHarmonyKiddy USATriple Play ProductsMerritt ManufacturingNunaSnug Seat/R824momsGB Child USAHauck, Icoo, Fisher-PriceSafe Traffic System
Go to Website
              **Need help?**If you are unable to register your child’s seat with the manufacturer, contact NHTSA at NHTSA.ODI.ced@dot.gov.**Also, get recall notices from NHTSA**In addition to registering your car seat to receive recalls and safety notices from your car seat manufacturer, you can sign up to receive e-mail alerts from NHTSA about car seat and booster seat recalls.
                Resources
          
          
    
  
       
  Car Seat Glossary of TermsLearn about vehicle and car seat parts and more.Training Contacts by State for Child Passenger SafetyFind your state's Child Passenger Safety Training Contacts.Car Seat Use After a CrashMake sure you know the difference between a minor crash and a moderate to major one before deciding to use a car seat after a crash.NHTSA’s Car Seat Recommendations for ChildrenUse these recommendations to help you choose the type of car seat that best meets your child’s needs.Keeping Kids Safe - A parent’s guide to protecting children in and around cars (PDF)This booklet will help you better understand today’s vehicle safety features, car seats and how to keep kids safe in and around vehicles.Used Car Seat Safety ChecklistThinking about using a second-hand car seat? If you can check off each one of these statements, then it may be okay to use one.FAA's Flying With ChildrenKeep children safe no matter how you are traveling – find more information on flying safely with children from the Federal Aviation Administration.

 
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