🔥 Burn Surface Area (Rule of Nines)
Estimate adult burn surface area (%TBSA) with the Wallace rule of nines.
Burn Surface Area (Rule of Nines)
Head & neck (max 9%)
Right arm (max 9%)
Left arm (max 9%)
Anterior trunk (max 18%)
Posterior trunk (max 18%)
Right leg (max 18%)
Left leg (max 18%)
Perineum (max 1%)
When to use
Guide burn fluid resuscitation and burn-center referral.
How it works
Head/neck 9, each arm 9, anterior/posterior trunk 18 each, each leg 18, perineum 1 (100% total). Count second-degree and deeper only.
Key points
- ≥ 15–20% TBSA needs formal fluid resuscitation (Parkland).
- Palm (incl. fingers) ≈ 1% TBSA for small burns.
- Use the Lund-Browder chart in children.
References
Decision support for licensed clinicians only; not a substitute for clinical judgement, diagnosis or local protocols.