Body Surface Area DuBois Calculator
Calculate total body surface area in square meters using the classic DuBois and DuBois logarithmic formula.
About the DuBois & DuBois BSA Formula
Published in 1916, the DuBois formula remains a foundational equation for calculating human body surface area in square meters ($$\text{m}^2$$).
Formula
BSA (m²) = 0.007184 × Height (cm)0.725 × Weight (kg)0.425
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is BSA used instead of weight for chemotherapy?
Physiological functions such as cardiac output, renal glomerular filtration, and metabolic turnover scale more directly with surface area than gross weight.
What is average adult BSA?
Average BSA is approximately 1.9 m² for adult men and 1.6 m² for adult women.
What is the Cardiac Index?
The cardiac index divides total cardiac output (L/min) by BSA (m²), normalizing cardiovascular capacity across different body sizes.
Does DuBois remain accurate in pediatric populations?
It performs reliably across most pediatric ranges, though specialized equations (such as Haycock) were derived to provide tighter correlation in infants.
Calculate in three steps
- 1Enter your valuesUse the fields above and check the units shown beside each input.
- 2Run the calculationSelect Calculate to refresh the result with your latest values.
- 3Review or shareCompare the result, reset the form, print it, or share this page.