Multiple validated formulas — essential for chemotherapy dosing and cardiac indices
Du Bois (Default)
—
0.007184 × W^0.425 × H^0.725
Mosteller
—
√(W × H / 3600)
Haycock
—
0.024265 × W^0.5378 × H^0.3964
Gehan-George
—
0.0235 × W^0.51456 × H^0.42246
Normal adult BSA ≈ 1.73 m² — Values within 5% of each other indicate reliable measurement. Mosteller is simplest for bedside calculation.
BSA Formula Comparison
Formula
Year
Best Use
Du Bois & Du Bois
1916
Most widely cited; standard reference
Mosteller
1987
Simplest; bedside calculation
Haycock
1978
Paediatric populations
Gehan-George
1970
Alternative to Du Bois
Du Bois: BSA = 0.007184 × W^0.425 × H^0.725 Mosteller: BSA = √(W × H / 3600) Haycock: BSA = 0.024265 × W^0.5378 × H^0.3964 Gehan-George: BSA = 0.0235 × W^0.51456 × H^0.42246 W in kg, H in cm, BSA in m²
Clinical Uses: Chemotherapy dosing (e.g., cisplatin, doxorubicin at mg/m²), cardiac index (CI = CO/BSA; normal 2.4–4.0 L/min/m²), burn area fluid resuscitation, renal clearance normalisation.
For clinical decision support only. Not a substitute for professional medical judgment.
