Body Surface Area (BSA) Calculator

Accurate calculation of BSA for chemotherapy dosing and medical procedures.

Formula

Weight

Height

Calculated Body Surface Area

BSA in Square Meters ($m^2$)

BSA in Square Feet ($ft^2$)

Formula Used

The Du Bois formula is the standard for precise medical calculations.

The Importance of Body Surface Area (BSA) in Medicine

The **Body Surface Area (BSA)** calculator provides a critical measurement in clinical and pharmacological settings. Unlike simple body weight, **BSA** offers a more accurate physiological scaling factor for metabolic rate, drug clearance, and volume distribution. This measurement is most frequently used to determine chemotherapy dosage and is also essential in calculating intravenous fluid rates and assessing the severity of burns.

Understanding the Du Bois and Mosteller Formulas

The **BSA calculation** requires two inputs: weight and height. This calculator uses two reliable **BSA formulas**:

**Du Bois and Du Bois (Most Common):** Considered the gold standard, particularly for **chemotherapy dosing**. $$\text{BSA} = 0.007184 \times \text{Weight (kg)}^{0.425} \times \text{Height (cm)}^{0.725}$$
**Mosteller Formula (Simplified):** Often used for rapid estimation. $$\text{BSA} = \sqrt{\frac{\text{Height (cm)} \times \text{Weight (kg)}}{3600}}$$

The result is always given in **square meters ($m^2$)** as this is the standard unit used globally for **drug dosage calculation**. You can choose which formula you prefer, but the Du Bois method is highly recommended for precision in medical contexts.

Key Applications of BSA

Knowing your **Body Surface Area** is vital for: 1) **Chemotherapy Dosing:** Since highly toxic drugs are administered based on BSA to manage risk, 2) **Renal Clearance:** Calculating clearance rates of certain drugs, and 3) **Burns Assessment:** Estimating the fluid replacement needs for burn victims. If you require this calculation for medical reasons, always confirm the preferred **BSA formula** with your healthcare professional.

BSA Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Body Surface Area used instead of weight for drug dosing?

**BSA** is a more accurate physiological measurement than simple weight alone. It better correlates with cardiac output, renal function, and basal metabolic rate, which directly influence how the body processes and clears medications. This is especially critical for narrow therapeutic index drugs, such as those used in **chemotherapy dosing**.

Which BSA formula is the most accurate?

The **Du Bois and Du Bois formula** is traditionally considered the most accurate and remains the most common standard for **BSA calculation** in adult medicine. The Mosteller formula is simpler and gives comparable results for most adults but should be verified for specialized **drug dosage calculation**.

Can I use Imperial units for height and weight?

Yes. Although the **BSA formulas** require inputs in kilograms and centimeters, this **BSA calculator** automatically handles the conversion from **Imperial units** (pounds and feet/inches) to the necessary metric components, ensuring the final **Body Surface Area** result is accurate in square meters.