Quick start
- Open the Body Surface Area Calculator.
- Enter height and weight in the units the tool asks for.
- Use the first example, "Average adult: 170 cm, 70 kg", if you want to see a filled-out calculation before entering your own values.
- Calculate, read the formula line, then copy the result only after the units and assumptions look right.
Best uses
Use this guide when one of these tasks matches what you are trying to do.
- Estimate BSA from height and weight.
- Compare Mosteller and Du Bois formulas.
- Use as an educational clinical math reference.
- Avoid using this page for medication dosing decisions.
What this calculator is for
The Body Surface Area Calculator estimates BSA in square meters using Mosteller and comparison formulas.
Use it when you want to: Estimate BSA from height and weight. Compare Mosteller and Du Bois formulas.
What to enter
Good answers start with clean inputs. Before calculating, check the labels, units, and dates so the tool is solving the same problem you actually have.
- Enter height and weight in the units the tool asks for.
- Use measured values rather than rounded guesses when possible.
- Keep BSA separate from BMI; they answer different questions.
Example walkthrough
Try the calculator example: Average adult: 170 cm, 70 kg. The example result is BSA about 1.82 m2.
- For 170 cm and 70 kg, the Mosteller formula multiplies height by weight, divides by 3600, then takes the square root.
- The result is about 1.82 m2.
Formula and steps
The main result uses Mosteller: square root of height in cm times weight in kg divided by 3600. Du Bois is shown as a comparison.
The formula line on the calculator page is there so the answer is not a mystery. Read it when you need to understand where the number came from.
How to read the answer
Use the result as an educational estimate. For health, pregnancy, nutrition, kidney, alcohol, or training decisions with real consequences, get qualified professional guidance.
- BSA is a clinical math reference, not a health grade.
- Different formulas can produce slightly different estimates.
Common mistakes to avoid
Most bad calculator results come from a small input mistake or from using a good estimate for the wrong decision.
- Do not use this page for medication dosing decisions.
- Do not confuse square meters of BSA with body fat or BMI.
- Do not ignore formula differences in clinical contexts.
What to try next
A related calculator can help check the same topic from another angle instead of relying on one number.
- Use GFR Calculator for kidney-equation education.
- Ask a clinician before using BSA for care decisions.
Sources and safety notes
This guide uses public-health, clinical, or peer-reviewed references where the calculator needs a specific formula or interpretation boundary.
Source links are provided for transparency, but they do not turn the calculator into medical advice or a replacement for professional care.
Examples from the calculator
BSA about 1.82 m2
BSA estimate
BSA estimate
Common questions
What can I use the Body Surface Area Calculator for?
Use it for quick educational estimates, planning, comparison, and trend checks. Health and fitness results should be interpreted with context, not as a diagnosis.
How does the Body Surface Area Calculator calculate the result?
The main result uses Mosteller: square root of height in cm times weight in kg divided by 3600. Du Bois is shown as a comparison.
Is this medical advice?
No. This page provides an educational estimate only. Talk with a qualified health professional before making medical, pregnancy, nutrition, medication, or safety decisions.
Related tools
- GFR Calculator Estimate eGFR with the 2021 CKD-EPI creatinine equation.
- BMI Calculator Estimate adult body mass index and healthy BMI weight range.
- Healthy Weight Calculator Find the adult healthy BMI weight range for a height.
History, privacy, and copying
Recent answers stay visible in the page while you work. The history is kept only in the current browser tab and is not sent to a server.
Copy answer copies the expression and result so you can paste it into notes, homework, a message, or another document.