Does this include 1st-degree burns?

No, clinically significant TBSA for fluid resuscitation typically only includes 2nd and 3rd-degree burns.

Burn Surface Area (Rule of Nines) – TBSA Assessment | CalcTools

Calculate Total Body Surface Area (TBSA) for burns in adults and children. Critical trauma service.

In the chaotic first minutes of a burn injury, the most important calculation is the Total Body Surface Area (TBSA) affected. This percentage dictates the amount of IV fluid needed for resuscitation and whether a patient must be transferred to a specialized Burn Center. Our Rule of Nines service provides a fast, visual method for estimating burn size, with built-in adjustments for the different body proportions of infants and adults. It is a critical service for emergency responders and trauma surgeons who need to act fast when every percentage point matters.

Select burned regions to calculate total area.

Calculated TBSA

Total Body Surface Area (TBSA)

Medical Disclaimer: This tool is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Evidence & References

Trauma Pro-Tip

Focus on 2nd/3rd degree burns for TBSA.

How it Works

The tool uses the Wallace proportions for adults and the Lund-Browder model for children. It sums the percentages of the selected body regions to provide a final TBSA estimate.

Calculation Formula

Sum of body part percentages

Calculation Examples

1. **Adult**: Front of torso (18%) and one arm (9%) = **27% TBSA**.

Why use this tool in your daily life?

Precision in trauma. This service replaces mental approximations with a standardized, evidence-based calculation, ensuring that burn victims receive the aggressive fluid therapy needed to prevent hypovolemic shock.