How old is Ponyboy?

In The Outsiders, Ponyboy is 14 years old. He is the youngest member of the greasers and still has a lot of childhood innocence compared to the older boys. He likes movies, does well in school, and notices things like sunsets, which sets him apart from the tougher, more hardened characters around him. His age makes the violence and pressure he faces—like being attacked by Socs or dealing with family struggles—feel even more intense, since he’s still figuring out who he is.

By the end of the novel, Ponyboy’s experiences force him to grow up quickly, but his youth is also what allows him to stay sensitive and thoughtful, especially when he starts to see both greasers and Socs as human beings rather than just enemies.