Body Surface Area Calculator
Calculates BSA using the Mosteller formula: BSA = √(weight(kg) × height(cm) / 3600). BSA is used in medicine to dose che...
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How It Works
Calculates BSA using the Mosteller formula: BSA = √(weight(kg) × height(cm) / 3600). BSA is used in medicine to dose chemotherapy, calculate cardiac output, and determine burn severity.
Quick Reference
70kg, 175cm
Mosteller formula
~1.87 m²
60kg, 165cm
Mosteller formula
~1.67 m²
Average adult BSA
Reference value
1.73 m²
Tips & Shortcuts
Average adult BSA is approximately 1.7-1.9 m².
BSA is more accurate than weight alone for drug dosing in oncology.
Burns covering >20% BSA are critical; >40% are life-threatening.
Common Mistakes
Using BSA for all drug dosing
Many drugs use fixed doses or weight-based dosing. BSA dosing is specific to certain medications (mainly chemotherapy).
Confusing BSA with BMI
BSA is the skin surface area in m². BMI is a weight-to-height ratio. Completely different measures.
Frequently Asked Questions
BSA is used to calculate chemotherapy doses, cardiac index, renal function, and burn area estimates. Most chemo drugs are dosed in mg/m² to normalize for body size.
The Mosteller formula (√(height×weight/3600)) is most widely used. DuBois is the historical standard. Haycock is preferred for pediatric patients.
Average BSA is approximately 1.7–1.9 m². Men average about 1.9 m² and women about 1.6 m². Most drug reference doses assume a standard person of 1.73 m².
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