Punnett Square Calculator

Punnett Square Calculator: Complete Guide

What Is a Punnett Square?

A Punnett square is a diagram that predicts the genotype probabilities of offspring from parental alleles. Developed by Reginald Punnett, it visually represents Mendelian inheritance patterns for:

• Dominant/recessive traits
• Multiple gene crosses
• Probability calculations

Key Formula

The basic probability formula for monohybrid crosses:

Probability = (Number of desired outcomes) / (Total possible outcomes) × 100%

For example, Aa × Aa cross:

• AA: 25% probability
• Aa: 50% probability
• aa: 25% probability

How to Use the Calculator

1. Enter Parent Genotypes
   Input alleles (e.g., AaBb) for Parent 1 and Parent 2
2. View Results
   • Interactive Punnett square matrix
   • Pie chart showing genotype distribution
   • Statistical breakdown (count/percentage)
3. Advanced Features
   • Allele selector buttons
   • Adjustable chart refresh rate
   • Mobile-responsive design

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How many genes can this calculator handle?
A: The calculator supports up to 4 gene pairs (e.g., AaBbCcDd) with 256 possible combinations.

Q: Why are some genotypes sorted alphabetically?
A: We sort alleles (e.g., ‘aA’ becomes ‘Aa’) for standardized representation since order doesn’t affect phenotype.

Q: Can I use this for X-linked inheritance?
A: This version focuses on autosomal traits. For sex-linked traits, indicate X/Y chromosomes (e.g., XᴬXᵃ × XᴬY).

Terminology Explained

• Allele: Variant form of a gene (e.g., A or a)
• Genotype: Genetic makeup (e.g., AA, Aa, aa)
• Phenotype: Observable characteristic
• Homozygous: Two identical alleles (AA or aa)
• Heterozygous: Two different alleles (Aa)
• Dominant: Allele expressed in phenotype (A)
• Recessive: Only expressed when homozygous (a)

Educational Applications

• Biology classroom demonstrations
• Genetics homework verification
• Breeding program planning
• Science fair projects visualization