BSA-Based Medication Dosing Calculator
Dose from body surface area (Du Bois formula).
Enter your values
ⓘ Live results
Results
- Body surface area
- 1.81 m²
- Calculated dose
- 181 mg
Quick answer
Body surface area dosing multiplies BSA (from the Du Bois formula) by a prescribed mg per square metre dose.
BSA (m²) = 0.007184 x height(cm)^0.725 x weight(kg)^0.425; dose = BSA x mg/m²
How to use the BSA-Based Medication Dosing Calculator
- 1Enter height and weight to calculate BSA using the Du Bois formula.
- 2Multiply by the prescribed mg/m² dose from a drug reference or prescription.
- 3This is a calculation aid, not medical advice — final dosing decisions must be verified by a pharmacist or physician, particularly for chemotherapy and other narrow-therapeutic-index drugs.
Worked example
Using the values the calculator loads with:
Inputs
- Height170 cm
- Weight70 kg
- Prescribed dose100 mg/m²
Results
- Body surface area1.81 m²
- Calculated dose181 mg
Frequently asked questions
Is Du Bois the only BSA formula?
No — Mosteller's formula is also common and simpler; results are usually very close.
Why is BSA used instead of weight alone?
BSA correlates well with metabolic rate and organ function, making it useful for drugs like chemotherapy agents.
About this calculator
- Built and reviewed by James Whitfield · How we build and test calculators
- Report an error
Results are estimates for general information. For medical, legal, structural or financial decisions, confirm with a qualified professional.