Why is BSA important in medicine?

BSA is used in medicine to calculate the correct dosage for certain medications, especially chemotherapy drugs and for assessing the severity of burns. This calculator is NOT for medical use.

Body Surface Area (BSA) Calculator

Important Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational and educational purposes only. It should NOT be used for medical diagnosis or to determine treatment dosages. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical advice.

Your Body Surface Area (BSA) Result

Your Estimated BSA is:

m²

What is Body Surface Area (BSA)?

Body Surface Area (BSA) is the total surface area of the human body. It is a critical measurement in medicine because for many clinical situations, it is a better indicator of metabolic mass and dosage requirements than body weight alone. BSA is less affected by unusual amounts of fat mass, making it a more precise metric for certain treatments.

This calculator uses the Mosteller formula, one of the most widely accepted and simple methods for estimating BSA. While the calculation is accurate, please remember the result is an estimate and should not replace a professional medical assessment.

Explore More Health & Fitness Tools

BMI Calculator: A primary tool to check if your weight is in a healthy range for your height.
Body Fat Calculator: Go beyond weight and estimate your body composition.
Lean Body Mass Calculator: Find the weight of your body minus fat.
BMR Calculator: Learn about your resting metabolism to better manage your diet.
Ideal Weight Calculator: See a healthy weight range based on various popular formulas.
Waist-to-Height Ratio Calculator: A simple indicator of central obesity and health risk.
Waist-to-Hip Ratio Calculator: Assess your body shape and potential health risks.
TDEE Calculator: Get a complete estimate of your daily calorie expenditure.
Macronutrient Calculator: Plan your diet by setting targets for protein, carbs, and fats.
One-Rep Max (1RM) Calculator: A key tool for anyone serious about strength training.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the Mosteller formula used here?

The Mosteller formula, published in 1987, is praised for its simplicity and accuracy. The formula is:
BSA (m²) = √ ( [Height(cm) × Weight(kg)] / 3600 )

Why is BSA used for chemotherapy dosages?

Many chemotherapy drugs have a narrow therapeutic index, meaning the difference between an effective dose and a toxic dose is small. Dosing based on BSA is thought to be more accurate than dosing by body weight alone because it better correlates with cardiac output, which affects drug distribution and clearance.

Is there an "average" or "normal" BSA?

Yes, for adults, the average BSA is typically around 1.7 m². For men, the average is closer to 1.9 m², and for women, it's around 1.6 m². However, "normal" BSA varies widely with height and weight, so there isn't a single ideal value to aim for.