Clinical
Du Bois formula
The 1916 original, still quoted in older literature.
The Formula
BSA = 0.007184 x height^0.425 x weight^0.725
The 1916 original, still quoted in older literature.
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| BSA | Body surface area | m^2 | The result, in square metres. |
| 0.007184 | Constant | unitless | The Du Bois coefficient. |
| 0.425, 0.725 | Exponents | unitless | Height and weight exponents from the 1916 fit. |
What Each Symbol Means
BSAm^2
Body surface area
The result, in square metres.
0.007184unitless
Constant
The Du Bois coefficient.
0.425, 0.725unitless
Exponents
Height and weight exponents from the 1916 fit.
See It Worked With Real Numbers
A formula on its own does not tell you which number goes where. The how to calculate body surface area page applies this equation to a concrete case, shows every intermediate step, and names the mistakes that produce a wrong answer even when the algebra is right.
Where This Formula Appears
This equation is the working core of How To Calculate Body Surface Area, filed under Health. Every number the guide produces comes from substituting into this one line.