We investigated the effect of a lactic acid extract of Sargassum horneri (ExSL) as a calcium supplement on bone formation in 48 female Sprague-Dawley rats for 4 weeks of their growth phase. The rats were divided into four groups based on diet: two calcium-sufficient and two calcium-deficient diets. The normal control group (NC) was fed AIN-93G; the NCS group was fed the same diet containing 1% extract; the calcium-deficient control (DC) diet was based on AIN-93G; and the DCS group received the same calcium-deficient diet plus 1% extract. Bone formation in the rats was evaluated using the wet weight, length, diameter, and bone mineral density (BMD) of the femur. Serum parameters were also examined. The food intake among the groups did not differ significantly (P<0.05). The NCS group gained the most body weight, while the DC group gained much less weight than the other groups. The feeding efficiencies of the groups that received the extract (NCS and DCS) were slightly higher than those of the control groups (NC and DC). The calcium intakes of all groups depended on the amount of calcium in the feed; the NCS and DCS diets contained 12.15 mg more calcium than the NC and DC diets. The calcium absorption was lower in NCS than in DC and DCS, but significantly higher than in NC (P<0.05). The BMDs in the calcium-sufficient groups were not significantly different (P<0.05), while in the calcium-deficient groups the BMD was significantly higher in DCS than in DC (P<0.05). The serum calcium and phosphorus levels in all groups were not associated with markers of bone growth related to the extract. The osteocalcin content and alkaline phosphatase (ALPase) activity were higher in the calcium-deficient groups than in the normal groups (P<0.05). Ultimately, the osteocalcin content and ALPase activity were lower in DCS compared to DC. These results suggest that the addition of ExSL promotes bone formation and calcium absorption in growing rats.