What is the Rule of Nines?

The Rule of Nines divides the adult body into 11 regions, each representing approximately 9% of total body surface area (or 18% for the trunk front and back), plus 1% for the perineum. It is a quick, standardized method used widely in emergency settings.

Why is the Lund-Browder method used for children?

Children have proportionally larger heads and smaller lower limbs than adults. The Lund-Browder chart adjusts these values based on age, making it significantly more accurate for pediatric patients where the Rule of Nines would overestimate head burns and underestimate leg burns.

Is this tool a substitute for professional medical assessment?

No. This calculator is for educational and reference purposes only. Burn assessment in a clinical setting must be performed by trained medical professionals. Always seek immediate emergency care for serious burns.

What TBSA percentage requires hospitalization?

Generally, burns covering more than 10% TBSA in children or elderly patients, or more than 15–20% TBSA in adults, warrant hospital admission. Burns of 25%+ are typically treated in specialized burn centers. Severity also depends on burn depth, location, and patient age and health.

Does this tool account for burn depth?

No. TBSA percentage estimates only the surface area affected, not the depth (superficial, partial-thickness, or full-thickness). Depth is equally important in clinical burn classification and treatment planning.

What is the Parkland formula?

The Parkland formula (4 ml × kg body weight × % TBSA) estimates the volume of intravenous fluid needed in the first 24 hours after a major burn. This calculator provides the TBSA input required for that formula.

Burn Percentage Calculator

Estimate total body surface area (TBSA) burned using the Rule of Nines for adults or Lund-Browder chart for children.

Patient Details

Select the patient type and check all burned body regions.

Patient Type

Adult (15+) Child (<15)

Burned Regions

Total TBSA Burned

Rule of Nines

0.0 %

0% 50% 100%

Severity Classification

Region Breakdown

No regions selected yet.

For educational purposes only. Always seek immediate professional medical care for burn injuries.

Summary

This tool estimates the total body surface area (TBSA) affected by burns. For adults and children 15 years and older, it applies the Rule of Nines — dividing the body into regions each representing approximately 9% of BSA. For children under 15, it uses the Lund-Browder method, which accounts for the proportionally larger head and smaller legs of young patients to give a more accurate result.

How it works

Select whether the patient is an adult (15+) or a child (under 15).
If child, enter the patient's age in years to apply age-adjusted Lund-Browder percentages.
Check each body region that has sustained a burn injury.
For partial regions (e.g., half the forearm), use the slider to set the affected fraction.
The calculator sums all selected regions and displays the total TBSA percentage instantly.
Review the severity classification based on the estimated TBSA to guide care decisions.

Use cases

First-responder field triage to quickly estimate burn severity.
Nursing and medical education for practicing burn assessment techniques.
Pre-hospital documentation before transfer to a burn center.
Understanding burn injury reports or medical literature.
Estimating fluid resuscitation needs alongside the Parkland formula.
Teaching the difference between adult and pediatric burn assessment methods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-09-30 · Reviewed by Nham Vu