Body Surface Area Calculator

Estimate BSA with Mosteller, Du Bois, and Haycock formulas.

Inputs

Mosteller BSA

1.82 m2

Common quick clinical estimate

Formula Comparison

Du Bois1.81 m2
Haycock1.83 m2
Use BSA as an estimate for discussion with qualified clinicians, especially for dosing and treatment planning.
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About This Calculator

Overview

Use this body surface area calculator to estimate BSA from height and weight with three common medical formulas.

When to Use It

  • Prepare baseline values for dose discussions.
  • Compare Mosteller and Du Bois outputs quickly.
  • Track BSA change after major weight shifts.

BSA Formulas

Mosteller: sqrt(height(cm) * weight(kg) / 3600) | Du Bois: 0.007184 * height^0.725 * weight^0.425 | Haycock: 0.024265 * height^0.3964 * weight^0.5378
Height
Body height in centimeters.
Weight
Body weight in kilograms.

Example

Inputs
  • Height: 170 cm
  • Weight: 70 kg
Output
  • Mosteller BSA: 1.82 m2

Common Mistakes

  • Mixing inches or pounds with cm or kg inputs.
  • Switching formulas between follow-up visits.
  • Using outdated height or weight measurements.

Tips & Next Steps

  • Update measurements before major planning decisions.
  • Use one formula consistently for trend tracking.
  • Treat outputs as support values, not diagnosis.

Practical BSA Interpretation in Workflow

BSA is most useful when it is embedded in a repeatable process. Start by collecting fresh measurements under the same conditions each time, then calculate using a single formula for consistency. If teams switch formulas from one visit to another, trend interpretation becomes noisy because some variation comes from method choice rather than patient change.

In planning conversations, pair BSA with other indicators such as renal function, age, and treatment tolerability. BSA provides size normalization, but it is not a full patient-profile metric. For complex treatment plans, clinicians may adjust beyond formula output. This is why BSA should be viewed as a structured baseline rather than an automatic instruction.

When comparing formulas, focus on directional agreement instead of tiny decimal differences. If Mosteller, Du Bois, and Haycock all move upward after a weight increase, the trend signal is clear. If values diverge only in the second decimal place, operational decisions usually should not hinge on that spread alone. Consistency and clinical context dominate precision theater.

For record quality, store measurement date, unit system, selected formula, and resulting BSA value in the same note. This creates auditability for future review and reduces communication errors across care teams. High-quality documentation improves both patient safety and workflow clarity.

FAQs

What is body surface area (BSA)?
BSA estimates total skin area in square meters. In clinical contexts, it is commonly used for dose planning, risk normalization, and communication of patient-size related metrics.
Which BSA formula should I use?
Mosteller is commonly used for quick practice. Du Bois and Haycock are widely referenced alternatives that can differ slightly, so many teams stay consistent with one method for trend tracking.
Is BSA the same as BMI?
No. BMI estimates body mass relative to height, while BSA estimates body area. They answer different questions and should not be used interchangeably.
Why do formulas produce slightly different values?
Each formula was fitted on different datasets and assumptions. Differences are usually small, but consistency matters when comparing values over time or across treatment cycles.
Can this tool replace medical judgement?
No. This is a planning aid that supports discussion. Final treatment and dosing decisions should be made by qualified clinicians using full clinical context.