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BSA Calculator
What is Body Surface Area (BSA)?
Body Surface Area (BSA) is the measurement of the total surface of the human body. Unlike weight or height alone, BSA gives a more accurate reflection of metabolic mass and is often used in medical fields to determine drug dosages, assess cardiac output, and calculate body fluid requirements.
Why is BSA Important?
- Medication dosing: Many chemotherapy and other drug doses are based on BSA rather than body weight.
- Medical assessments: Helps doctors estimate physiological functions such as renal clearance or cardiac index.
- Health research: Frequently used in studies to compare populations with different body sizes.
BSA Formulas Used in This Calculator:
Our calculator uses multiple formulas to give you accurate results. While all aim to estimate body surface area, each has slight variations:
BSA Formulas:
- Du Bois Formula (1916)
The most widely used classic formula. BSA = 0.007184 × W0.425 × H0.725 - Mosteller Formula (1987)
A simpler and widely accepted method. BSA = √((W × H) / 3600) - Haycock Formula (1978)
Especially useful in pediatrics. BSA = 0.024265 × W0.5378 × H0.3964 - Gehan & George Formula (1970)
Designed from a large population sample. BSA = 0.0235 × W0.51456 × H0.42246 - Boyd Formula (1935)
Adjusts weight influence with logarithmic scaling. BSA = 0.0333 × W(0.6157 – 0.0188 log10W) × H0.3 - Fujimoto Formula (1968)
Based on Japanese subjects, often used in Asian populations. BSA = 0.008883 × W0.444 × H0.663 - Takahira Formula (1935)
Another Japanese-based formula, very close to Du Bois. BSA = 0.007241 × W0.425 × H0.725 - Schlich Formula (2010)
Uses gender-specific equations for better accuracy.
Male: BSA = 0.000579479 × W0.38 × H1.24
Female: BSA = 0.000975482 × W0.46 × H1.08
Note: The Body Surface Area (BSA) values calculated using these formulas are only for educational and informational purposes. They should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a healthcare provider for accurate health assessments and medical decisions.
Related Calculators:
Body Shape Calculator, GFR CalculatorExternal Resources:
Body Surface Area Calculator on Calculator.net
Mosteller is often preferred in clinical settings for its simplicity, while Du Bois remains the historical standard. Accuracy may vary depending on population and body type.
No. BMI measures body fat relative to height and weight, while BSA measures the total body surface area. They serve different purposes.
Some drugs, especially chemotherapy agents, can be toxic if overdosed. BSA-based dosing ensures safer and more individualized medication administration.
Yes, formulas like Haycock are particularly useful for pediatric patients.
Yes. Some formulas (like Schlich) account for gender, as male and female body compositions differ.