DuBois BSA Calculator: Classic Body Surface Area Formula

Understanding the DuBois Formula for BSA

The DuBois and DuBois formula is one of the earliest and most widely cited methods for calculating Body Surface Area (BSA). Introduced in 1916, it remains a reference standard in clinical settings, particularly in pharmacology and physiology.

The formula is as follows:

BSA = 0.007184 × Height(cm)^0.725 × Weight(kg)^0.425

This equation was derived from direct measurements using body heat loss and surface area estimation, providing a physiological basis for its use.

Why Use the DuBois Formula?

Despite the emergence of simplified alternatives like the Mosteller formula, the DuBois method continues to be trusted for several reasons:

• Clinical legacy: many historical dose studies used DuBois as the baseline.
• Precision: especially in adult populations, it aligns well with empirical BSA measurements.
• Reference for research: still frequently cited in scientific literature.

Limitations of DuBois

While effective, the DuBois formula has a few limitations:

• Derived from a small sample (only 9 individuals)
• Less accurate in children or extremely overweight individuals
• More complex than Mosteller for manual calculation

These limitations are why it is best used alongside other methods for comparison.

Easily Compare BSA Formulas Online

Using our BSA calculator, you can instantly calculate your Body Surface Area using DuBois and several other formulas like Mosteller, Haycock, and Gehan-George. This allows patients and professionals to cross-validate results.

No math needed — just input height and weight, and the calculator does the rest.

Try the DuBois BSA Calculator

Whether you're a clinician referencing dose guidelines or an informed patient, our tool helps you apply the DuBois formula correctly and efficiently.
👉 Use our BSA calculator to compare DuBois to other formulas now.