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Body Surface Area Calculator

Calculate your Body Surface Area (BSA) using the Mosteller formula - commonly used in medical settings.

Quick Presets Click to load standard values
Quick Presets Click to load standard values

Body Type

Year Standard

BSA Result

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Average BSA Values

Men

~1.7 m²

Women

~1.6 m²

Result Interpretation

Enter your weight and height to see your BSA result and interpretation.

Authority Source

This calculator uses the Mosteller formula, which is the most commonly used method for BSA calculation in clinical practice.

BMI Standards by Ethnicity

Compare health standards across major US ethnic groups

Ethnic Group Underweight Normal Overweight Obese
Asian American
< 18.5 18.5 - 22.9 23.0 - 27.4 ≥ 27.5
White/Caucasian
< 18.5 18.5 - 24.9 25.0 - 29.9 ≥ 30.0
African American
< 18.5 18.5 - 24.9 25.0 - 29.9 ≥ 30.0
Hispanic/Latino
< 18.5 18.5 - 24.9 25.0 - 29.9 ≥ 30.0
Native American
< 18.5 18.5 - 24.9 25.0 - 29.9 ≥ 30.0

These standards are based on CDC, WHO, and NIH research. Individual health assessments may vary. Consult a healthcare provider for personalized advice.

Real-Life Case Studies

Learn from real people's health journeys

White/Caucasian

John's Journey to Healthy BMI

John, 45, 5'9", 210 lbs

Initial Status

Obese

BMI: 31.8

Goal Status

Normal

BMI: 24.5

Changes Made

  • Reduced daily calorie intake by 500 kcal
  • Increased physical activity to 150 mins/week

Results

  • Lost 45 lbs over 6 months
  • BMI reduced from 31.8 to 24.5
Hispanic/Latino

Maria's Body Fat Transformation

Maria, 32, 5'5", 165 lbs

Initial Status

Overfat

Body Fat: 38%

Goal Status

Fit

Body Fat: 28%

Changes Made

  • Started strength training 3x/week
  • Added HIIT cardio 2x/week

Results

  • Body fat decreased from 38% to 28%
  • Lean muscle mass increased by 8 lbs
Asian American

Chen's Asian BMI Awareness

Chen, 35, 5'8", 160 lbs

Initial Status

Overweight (Asian)

BMI: 25.2

Goal Status

Normal (Asian)

BMI: 22

Changes Made

  • Adopted portion control
  • Incorporated daily walking

Results

  • BMI reduced from 25.2 to 21.8
  • Lowered risk of type 2 diabetes

Understanding Body Surface Area

What BSA Measures

Body Surface Area (BSA) is a measure of total body surface area. It is used in medicine to calculate drug dosages and assess burn injuries.

Calculation Methods

Common formulas include the Du Bois formula, Mosteller formula, and Haycock formula. Each provides slightly different results but are generally comparable.

Medical Applications

BSA is used to determine chemotherapy doses, antibiotic dosing, and fluid resuscitation in burn patients. It provides a more accurate basis than body weight alone.

Normal BSA Ranges

Average BSA for adult men is about 1.9 m², and for adult women is about 1.6 m². BSA increases with height and weight.

Real-Life Case Studies

Learn from real people's health journeys

White/Caucasian

John's Journey to Healthy BMI

John, 45, 5'9", 210 lbs

Initial Status

Obese

BMI: 31.8

Goal Status

Normal

BMI: 24.5

Changes Made

  • Reduced daily calorie intake by 500 kcal
  • Increased physical activity to 150 mins/week

Results

  • Lost 45 lbs over 6 months
  • BMI reduced from 31.8 to 24.5
Hispanic/Latino

Maria's Body Fat Transformation

Maria, 32, 5'5", 165 lbs

Initial Status

Overfat

Body Fat: 38%

Goal Status

Fit

Body Fat: 28%

Changes Made

  • Started strength training 3x/week
  • Added HIIT cardio 2x/week

Results

  • Body fat decreased from 38% to 28%
  • Lean muscle mass increased by 8 lbs
Asian American

Chen's Asian BMI Awareness

Chen, 35, 5'8", 160 lbs

Initial Status

Overweight (Asian)

BMI: 25.2

Goal Status

Normal (Asian)

BMI: 22

Changes Made

  • Adopted portion control
  • Incorporated daily walking

Results

  • BMI reduced from 25.2 to 21.8
  • Lowered risk of type 2 diabetes

Understanding Body Surface Area

What BSA Measures

Body Surface Area (BSA) is a measure of total body surface area. It is used in medicine to calculate drug dosages and assess burn injuries.

Calculation Methods

Common formulas include the Du Bois formula, Mosteller formula, and Haycock formula. Each provides slightly different results but are generally comparable.

Medical Applications

BSA is used to determine chemotherapy doses, antibiotic dosing, and fluid resuscitation in burn patients. It provides a more accurate basis than body weight alone.

Normal BSA Ranges

Average BSA for adult men is about 1.9 m², and for adult women is about 1.6 m². BSA increases with height and weight.

Frequently Asked Questions

BMI standards vary significantly by ethnicity. Asian Americans have lower BMI cutoffs (normal: 18.5-22.9, overweight: 23.0-27.4, obese: ≥27.5) due to higher body fat percentage at the same BMI. African Americans often have higher muscle mass, leading to higher BMI values with the same level of body fat. Hispanic/Latino populations face higher diabetes risk at lower BMI levels.
Body Surface Area (BSA) is the total surface area of the human body. It is used in medicine to calculate drug dosages, particularly for chemotherapy and other medications.
BSA is crucial in clinical settings for determining appropriate medication doses. It provides a more accurate basis than weight alone for many drug calculations.
This calculator uses the Mosteller formula: BSA = √(weight × height / 3600), where weight is in kg and height is in cm.
For adults, average BSA is approximately 1.7 m² for men and 1.6 m² for women. BSA increases with body size.

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