BSA-Based Medication Dosing Calculator
Dose from body surface area (Du Bois formula).
Enter your values
Enter the height in cm.
Enter the weight in kg.
Enter the prescribed dose in mg/m².
Results update instantly as you type — no submit needed. Your values are remembered on this device, and the shareable link reopens the calculator with exactly these numbers.
- 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
At a glance
| What it does | Dose from body surface area (Du Bois formula). |
|---|---|
| Category | Health |
| Inputs needed | Height, Weight, Prescribed dose |
| Main output | Body surface area |
| Formula | BSA (m²) = 0.007184 x height(cm)^0.725 x weight(kg)^0.425; dose = BSA x mg/m² |
| Cost | Free — no sign-up, no download |
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.
Inputs explained
- Height(cm)
- Enter the height in cm.
- Weight(kg)
- Enter the weight in kg.
- Prescribed dose(mg/m²)
- Enter the prescribed dose in mg/m².
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.
What do I need to enter into the BSA-Based Medication Dosing Calculator?
Just 3 values: height, weight, prescribed dose. Every field starts with a realistic example, so you can change one number at a time and watch the result update instantly.
How does the BSA-Based Medication Dosing Calculator work out the answer?
Body surface area dosing multiplies BSA (from the Du Bois formula) by a prescribed mg per square metre dose. It applies the formula BSA (m²) = 0.007184 x height(cm)^0.725 x weight(kg)^0.425; dose = BSA x mg/m² and shows the working so you can check each step by hand.
Is the BSA-Based Medication Dosing Calculator free, and do I need an account?
It is completely free with no sign-up, no download and no usage limit. Everything is calculated in your browser, so the numbers you type never leave your device.
Results are estimates for general information. For medical, legal, structural or financial decisions, confirm with a qualified professional.