Clinical
Mosteller formula
The clinical standard, using height in centimetres and weight in kilograms.
The Formula
BSA = sqrt( height x weight / 3600 )
The clinical standard, using height in centimetres and weight in kilograms.
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| BSA | Body surface area | m^2 | The result, in square metres. |
| h | Height | cm | Height in centimetres. |
| w | Weight | kg | Weight in kilograms. |
| 3600 | Constant | unitless | Converts centimetres and kilograms into square metres. |
What Each Symbol Means
BSAm^2
Body surface area
The result, in square metres.
hcm
Height
Height in centimetres.
wkg
Weight
Weight in kilograms.
3600unitless
Constant
Converts centimetres and kilograms into square metres.
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.