What is Body Surface Area Calculator?
Body Surface Area (BSA) measures the total external surface area of the human body in square meters (m²), widely preferred over body weight in medicine for chemotherapy dosages and cardiac index normalization.
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter height and weight.
- The tool evaluates the clinical Mosteller square-root formula.
- Review surface area in square meters (m²).
The Mathematical Formula & Variables
Variables Definition
| Symbol / Variable | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
1.9 m² |
Average Adult Male BSA | Normal clinical reference baseline (1.6 m² for adult women). |
Step-by-Step Worked Example
Scenario: Adult 177.8 cm tall weighing 77.1 kg.
- Multiply height by weight: 177.8 * 77.1 = 13,708.38.
- Divide by 3,600: 13,708.38 / 3,600 = 3.8079.
- Take square root: Sqrt(3.8079) = 1.951 m².
Result: BSA = 1.95 m²
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is BSA used instead of weight for medications?
Metabolic rate and extracellular fluid volumes correlate more closely with surface area than raw weight, preventing toxic overdoses in patients carrying significant adipose tissue.