Body Surface Area Calculator (BSA) – Height & Weight

What is Body Surface Area (BSA)?

Figure 1: Understanding human anthropometry and the Body Surface Area (BSA).

Body Surface Area (BSA) is the measured or calculated surface area of a human body. For many clinical purposes, BSA is a better indicator of metabolic mass than body weight because it is less affected by abnormal adipose tissue. In medicine, BSA is commonly used to calculate dosages for chemotherapy and other drugs with a narrow therapeutic index.

Why Doctors Use BSA Calculations

Physicians and pharmacists rely on the BSA Calculator for several critical medical assessments. According to the Merck Manuals, surface area is often the most accurate method for determining pediatric and geriatric dosages.

BSA Formulas Explained

There are several mathematical models used to estimate body surface area. This BSA Calculator supports the three most widely accepted formulas:

• 1. Mosteller Formula: Published in 1987, it’s the simplest and most commonly used in clinical practice. Formula: √((Height × Weight) / 3600).
• 2. Du Bois Formula: One of the oldest and most cited formulas, based on the Du Bois & Du Bois study. Formula: 0.007184 × H^0.725 × W^0.425.
• 3. Haycock Formula: Particularly useful for pediatric patients and infants due to its focus on height-to-weight ratios. Formula: 0.024265 × H^0.3964 × W^0.5378.

To ensure your health data is accurate, you can also use our Ideal Weight Calculator to compare your current weight against medical averages.