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Body Surface Area (BSA) Calculator

Accurately determine the total surface area of the human body for medical dosing and clinical assessment.

Metric (cm, kg) Imperial (in, lbs)
Mosteller BSA Result
0.00 m²
Du Bois Formula: 0.00 m²

What is Body Surface Area (BSA)?

Body Surface Area (BSA) is the measured or calculated surface of a human body. In clinical medicine, BSA is often considered a more accurate indicator of metabolic mass than body weight alone because it is less affected by abnormal adipose tissue (body fat).

This metric is critical for medical professionals when determining dosages for high-potency drugs, such as chemotherapy, and when calculating cardiac index or evaluating renal function.

Most common BSA Formulas

While several formulas exist, this calculator provides results using the two most clinically accepted methods:

  • Mosteller Formula: The most commonly used formula due to its simplicity. It is calculated as the square root of (height in cm × weight in kg) divided by 3600.
  • Du Bois Formula: Developed in 1916, it remains a standard in clinical practice and research settings.

Clinical Significance of BSA

Medical practitioners rely on BSA for several critical calculations:

Application Why BSA is Used
Chemotherapy To minimize toxicity while maximizing therapeutic effect.
Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) BSA is used to normalize kidney function measurements.
Cardiac Index Relates heart performance to the size of the individual.

Calculation Examples

To understand how BSA varies, consider these examples using the Mosteller formula:

  1. Average Adult Male: Height: 180 cm, Weight: 80 kg.
    Calculation: √(180 × 80 / 3600) = 2.00 m²
  2. Average Adult Female: Height: 165 cm, Weight: 60 kg.
    Calculation: √(165 × 60 / 3600) = 1.66 m²
  3. Child: Height: 110 cm, Weight: 20 kg.
    Calculation: √(110 × 20 / 3600) = 0.78 m²

Disclaimer: This calculator is for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be used as the sole basis for medical decisions or medication dosing. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider.

function toggleUnits() { var system = document.getElementById('unitSystem').value; var hLabel = document.getElementById('heightLabel'); var wLabel = document.getElementById('weightLabel'); var hInput = document.getElementById('heightInput'); var wInput = document.getElementById('weightInput'); if (system === 'imperial') { hLabel.innerHTML = 'Height (inches)'; wLabel.innerHTML = 'Weight (lbs)'; hInput.placeholder = 'e.g., 69'; wInput.placeholder = 'e.g., 154'; } else { hLabel.innerHTML = 'Height (cm)'; wLabel.innerHTML = 'Weight (kg)'; hInput.placeholder = 'e.g., 175'; wInput.placeholder = 'e.g., 70'; } // Clear result when unit changes document.getElementById('resultArea').style.display = 'none'; } function calculateBSA() { var hValue = parseFloat(document.getElementById('heightInput').value); var wValue = parseFloat(document.getElementById('weightInput').value); var system = document.getElementById('unitSystem').value; if (isNaN(hValue) || isNaN(wValue) || hValue <= 0 || wValue <= 0) { alert('Please enter valid positive numbers for height and weight.'); return; } var heightCm, weightKg; if (system === 'imperial') { heightCm = hValue * 2.54; weightKg = wValue * 0.45359237; } else { heightCm = hValue; weightKg = wValue; } // Mosteller Formula: BSA = sqrt( (cm * kg) / 3600 ) var bsaMosteller = Math.sqrt((heightCm * weightKg) / 3600); // Du Bois Formula: BSA = 0.007184 * (cm^0.725) * (kg^0.425) var bsaDuBois = 0.007184 * Math.pow(heightCm, 0.725) * Math.pow(weightKg, 0.425); document.getElementById('bsaValue').innerHTML = bsaMosteller.toFixed(2) + " m²"; document.getElementById('duBoisValue').innerHTML = "Du Bois Formula: " + bsaDuBois.toFixed(2) + " m²"; document.getElementById('resultArea').style.display = 'block'; }

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