Body Surface Area (BSA) Calculator

Calculate your Body Surface Area using multiple formulas.

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What is the Body Surface Area (BSA) Calculator?

The Body Surface Area (BSA) Calculator allows you to calculate the total surface area of the human body. BSA is an important metric used in various clinical purposes, such as calculating doses of chemotherapy and determining the cardiac index.

We provide calculations based on the most widely recognized formulas, including Du Bois, Mosteller, Haycock, Gehan and George, Boyd, Fujimoto, Takahira, and Schlich.

Practical Examples & Reference Guide

Example Output for a Standard Adult

For an average adult male with a height of 180 cm (5' 11") and a weight of 75 kg (165 lbs), the results from different formulas are:

FormulaBSA (m²)BSA (ft²)
Du Bois1.9420.84
Mosteller1.9420.85
Haycock1.9521.03
Gehan & George1.9521.04
Boyd1.9721.21
Fujimoto1.9020.50
Takahira1.9520.97
Schlich (Male)1.9621.14

Note: Results may slightly vary based on the specific formula used.

In-Depth Technical Guide

Why Calculate Body Surface Area?

Body Surface Area (BSA) is a better indicator of metabolic mass than body weight because it is less affected by abnormal adipose mass. It is commonly used in medicine to determine:

  • Safe chemotherapy dosages.
  • Glucocorticoid dosages.
  • Renal function assessments (e.g., estimating GFR).
  • Cardiac index.

Formulas Used

  1. Du Bois Formula: A widely used standard dating back to 1916.
  2. Mosteller Formula: Simplest and most commonly used today due to ease of calculation.
  3. Haycock Formula: Recommended for children and infants.
  4. Boyd Formula: An intricate formula developed for precise measurements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most accurate formula for BSA?
The Mosteller formula is widely accepted as one of the simplest and most consistently accurate formulas across all age groups and body types. The Du Bois formula is also very common in clinical practice.
What is the normal Body Surface Area (BSA)?
The average BSA for an adult male is about 1.9 m², and for an adult female, it is about 1.6 m².
Is BSA different from BMI?
Yes, Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure of body fat based on weight in relation to height, whereas Body Surface Area (BSA) measures the total surface area of the body. BSA is considered more accurate for medical dosing than BMI.
Why are there so many different formulas for BSA?
Different formulas were developed over time using various population samples. While the Du Bois formula is older, the Mosteller formula is simpler to calculate. Specialized formulas like Haycock are often preferred for infants and children to provide more tailored accuracy.