Body Surface Area Calculator
Calculate your body surface area using various medical formulas.
Body Measurements
BSA Result
Body Surface Area
1.85
square meters (m²)
Formula Used
Du Bois
Typical BSA Ranges:
Women: 1.6-1.8 m²
Men: 1.8-2.0 m²
About This Calculator
The Body Surface Area (BSA) Calculator helps you calculate your body surface area, which is used in medical settings for dosing medications, calculating cardiac index, and other clinical measurements. BSA is a better indicator of metabolic mass than body weight alone.
The calculator provides multiple formulas (Du Bois, Mosteller, Haycock, etc.) to estimate BSA. The Du Bois formula is the most commonly used, while the Mosteller formula is simpler and often used in clinical practice. Different formulas may give slightly different results.
Formula & Calculation Method
Body Surface Area Calculation Formulas:
Du Bois: BSA = 0.007184 × Height(cm)^0.725 × Weight(kg)^0.425
Mosteller: BSA = √[Height(cm) × Weight(kg) / 3600]
Haycock: BSA = 0.024265 × Height(cm)^0.3964 × Weight(kg)^0.5378
Gehan & George: BSA = 0.0235 × Height(cm)^0.42246 × Weight(kg)^0.51456
Boyd: BSA = 0.0003207 × Height(cm)^0.3 × Weight(g)^(0.7285 - 0.0188 × log(Weight(g)))
The Du Bois formula is the most widely used and was developed in 1916. The Mosteller formula is simpler and often preferred in clinical practice. All formulas provide estimates of body surface area in square meters (m²).
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter Height: Input your height in centimeters.
- Enter Weight: Input your weight in kilograms.
- Select Formula: Choose a BSA formula (Du Bois is most common).
- View Results: See your calculated body surface area in square meters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is body surface area used for?
BSA is used in medicine for calculating drug dosages (especially chemotherapy), determining cardiac index, estimating burn surface area, and other clinical measurements. It's considered a better indicator of metabolic mass than weight alone.
Which BSA formula is most accurate?
The Du Bois formula is the most widely used and validated. The Mosteller formula is simpler and often preferred in clinical practice. Different formulas may give slightly different results, but they're generally within 1-2% of each other.
What is a normal BSA?
Normal BSA varies by height and weight. Average BSA for adults is approximately 1.6-1.8 m² for women and 1.8-2.0 m² for men. BSA increases with height and weight.
Can BSA be used for children?
Yes, BSA formulas work for children and are often used for pediatric drug dosing. Some formulas may be more accurate for certain age groups, but the standard formulas are generally applicable.
Expert Reviewed
This calculator was reviewed by NumCalculators Editorial Team, Multi-disciplinary Expert Team