BSA (Body Surface Area)
Calculates your Body Surface Area (BSA) using the Mosteller formula, which is often used in medical computations.
Waiting for data
Enter your data above to instantly see your analysis result.
BSA Tool – Body Surface Area (Mosteller Formula)
The BSA tool allows you to quickly calculate your total Body Surface Area based on weight and height. The calculations use the Mosteller formula, which is one of the most widely used formulas in clinical medicine.
What is BSA (Body Surface Area)?
BSA is an estimate of the total surface area of a human body, expressed in square meters (m²). Unlike BMI, which is used to classify body weight, BSA is primarily used in medical and pharmacological calculations.
This indicator is particularly important in:
- oncology (chemotherapy dosing),
- nephrology,
- cardiology,
- anesthesiology,
- pediatrics.
Mosteller Formula for BSA
The most commonly used formula is the Mosteller formula:
BSA = √((height in cm × weight in kg) / 3600)
This formula is valued for its simplicity and good correlation with more complex calculation methods.
What is BSA used for?
The calculated body surface area is used, among others, for:
- determining medication doses that depend on m²,
- converting metabolic parameters,
- determining cardiac indices,
- standardization of some laboratory tests.
In clinical practice, dosing “per m²” is often more accurate than dosing based solely on body weight.
How does the BSA tool work?
- Enter body weight.
- Enter height.
- The tool automatically converts units (metric and imperial).
- You receive a result in m² with an accuracy of two decimal places.
The tool supports kilograms, pounds, centimeters, meters, inches, and feet.
Is the Mosteller formula accurate?
The Mosteller formula is considered sufficiently accurate for the general population and is widely used in everyday medical practice. In cases of extreme body proportions, doctors may use alternative formulas.
live_help Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do you calculate BSA step by step?
To calculate Body Surface Area (BSA), multiply height in centimeters by weight in kilograms, divide the result by 3600, and then take the square root of that value.
The formula used is:
BSA = √((height in cm × weight in kg) / 3600)
Is BSA calculated differently for men and women?
No. The Mosteller formula is the same for both men and women.
Can I calculate BSA in imperial system?
Yes. You can enter your weight in pounds (lb) and your height in feet or inches. The tool automatically converts these values before calculating, ensuring the result is displayed in square meters ($m^2$), which is the global clinical standard.
What is a typical BSA value for adults?
A typical adult Body Surface Area ranges between 1.6 – 2.2 m², depending on height and body weight.
Does BSA change with weight?
Yes. Any change in body weight or height will affect the calculated BSA value.
Is BSA used in pediatrics?
Yes. BSA is commonly used in pediatric medicine, especially for calculating medication dosages in children.
Can BSA be used to assess obesity?
No. Obesity assessment is typically based on BMI (Body Mass Index), not BSA.
Are there other formulas for calculating BSA?
Yes. Other formulas include the Du Bois, Haycock, and Gehan–George equations. However, the Mosteller formula is one of the most widely used due to its simplicity and clinical reliability.