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What is the size of the skin?

Published in Human Biology 1 min read

The skin is our largest and heaviest organ, covering our entire body and weighing between 3.5 and 10 kilograms (7.5 and 22 pounds). Despite its significant weight, the skin is only a few millimeters thick at its thickest point. Its surface area spans between 1.5 to 2 square meters.

This means that, depending on your height and body mass, the skin takes up about one-seventh of your total body weight. It's remarkable how such a thin layer of tissue can play such a vital role in protecting us from the environment, regulating our temperature, and even providing sensory input.

Here's a breakdown of the key facts about skin size:

  • Weight: 3.5 to 10 kilograms (7.5 to 22 pounds)
  • Surface area: 1.5 to 2 square meters
  • Thickness: A few millimeters at its thickest point