Enter the weight and height into the calculator to determine the Body Surface Area (BSA) using the Du Bois formula. This calculator helps estimate BSA, which is sometimes used in clinical calculations.
Medical notice: For informational use only. Do not use this calculator to dose chemotherapy, prescription medicines, or IV fluids—dosing must be determined and verified by a licensed clinician/pharmacist using the specific protocol. BSA methods and rounding rules vary (e.g., Du Bois, Mosteller, Haycock), and results may be less reliable in situations such as children, pregnancy, kidney/liver disease, severe obesity/edema, amputation, burns, dehydration, or critical illness.
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Dubois Formula
The Dubois formula is used to estimate the body surface area (BSA) of a person. The formula is as follows:
{BSA} = 0.007184 \times \text{Weight}^{0.425} \times \text{Height}^{0.725}
Variables:
- BSA is the body surface area in square meters (m²)
- Weight is the body weight in kilograms (kg)
- Height is the height in centimeters (cm)
To calculate BSA using the Dubois formula, multiply 0.007184 by the weight raised to the power of 0.425 and the height raised to the power of 0.725.
What is Body Surface Area (BSA)?
Body Surface Area (BSA) is a measure of the total surface area of the human body. It is used in various medical practices as a body-size estimate in certain calculations (for example, some medication protocols and fluid calculations). BSA can correlate with some physiologic parameters, but it has important limitations and may be less reliable in certain conditions (e.g., severe obesity, edema, amputations).
How to Calculate Body Surface Area?
The following steps outline how to calculate the Body Surface Area using the Dubois formula.
- First, determine the weight of the person in kilograms (kg).
- Next, determine the height of the person in centimeters (cm).
- Use the Dubois formula: BSA = 0.007184 * Weight0.425 * Height0.725.
- Finally, calculate the Body Surface Area (BSA) in square meters (m²).
- After inserting the variables and calculating the result, check your answer with the calculator above.
Example Problem:
Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.
Weight = 70 kg
Height = 175 cm
References
- Du Bois D, Du Bois EF. (1916). Original publication describing the Du Bois body surface area formula.
- For clinical use and dosing decisions, consult your institution’s protocol and reputable medical/pharmacy references; different sites may use different BSA formulas and rounding conventions.
