Body Surface Area (BSA) is a critical measurement in medical dosing, physiological assessments, and clinical research. Since BSA is not measured directly, several mathematical formulas have been developed to estimate it based on height and weight. But which formula is considered the best?
There are more than five widely recognized BSA formulas in medical literature. Each has its own origin, complexity, and accuracy profile:
Mosteller Formula:
BSA = √[(height(cm) × weight(kg))/3600]
This formula is easy to use and accurate enough for most clinical applications. It's widely adopted in hospitals and research.
DuBois Formula:
BSA = 0.007184 × height(cm)^0.725 × weight(kg)^0.425
Though more complex, it's historically significant and often used in pharmacokinetics studies.
Mosteller is often preferred for routine clinical use, while DuBois may be favored in research or when legacy data is involved.
The “best” formula depends on context:
Our BSA calculator allows you to enter your height and weight once and view results from all major formulas side by side. Whether you're a patient or a practitioner, it’s the simplest way to evaluate BSA differences and choose the right approach.
No single formula is perfect for every situation — but with the right tool, you can choose the best one for your needs.
👉 Use our BSA calculator to compare formulas now.