One hundred four (2 to 5 d old) individually fed Holstein heifer calves (39.5 ± 0.69 kg BW) were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatments to evaluate pre- (d 1–42) and postweaning (d 43–56) calf performance when fed texturized calf starters varying in crude protein (CP) level. Texturized calf starter (CS) treatments were 1) 15% CP; 2) 18% CP; 3) 21% CP, and 4) 24% CP, as-fed. All calves were fed 0.28 kg of milk replacer (MR; 20% protein:20%fat) in 1.99 L water twice daily for the first 35 d and once daily from d 36 to 42. From d 1 to 14, 1:1 neomycin:oxytetracycline was added to the MR solution to provide 22 mg/kg BW/d. Calf starter and water were fed free choice throughout the trial. Linear (L) and quadratic (Q) contrasts were used to differentiate effects of CS CP level on growth performance. There were no differences among treatments in average daily gain pre- or postweaning. There was a Q effect of treatment on daily gain for d 1 to 56 (P < 0.01). Daily gains were 0.71, 0.76, 0.76, and 0.70 kg for the 15%, 18%, 21% and 24% CP CS treatment, respectively. There was a Q effect for hip height gain (P = 0.02). Hip height gains were 10.2, 11.1, 11.0 and 9.9 cm for the 15%, 18%, 21% and 24% treatments, respectively. Preweaning CS intake was similar across treatments. Postweaning CS intake linearly decreased with increasing CP levels, d 43 to 56 (P < 0.01) and overall (P < 0.03). Preweaning gain/feed increased with CS CP level up to 21% CP then decreased (Q; P = 0.04). A similar overall 56 d response in gain/feed occurred (Q; P = 0.05). Gain/feed d 1 to 56 was 0.53, 0.55, 0.56, and 0.55 kg for 15%, 18%, 21% and 24% CP treatments, respectively. Fecal scores, scouring days and treatment costs were similar among treatments. β-Hydroxybutyrate levels at 42 d were the lowest in calves fed the 15% CP CS. Calf starter intake decreased with increasing CP levels but did not directly relate to calf performance. Under the conditions of this stud, there was no benefit of feeding CS CP levels above 21%.