Punnett Square Calculator
Model genotype and phenotype probabilities for single-trait crosses using a Punnett square.
Interactive Calculator
Results
Summary
Data Source and Methodology
Authoritative Data Source: OpenStax Biology 2e — Chapter 12: Mendel’s Experiments and Heredity (2018). Direct link. All calculations are strictly based on Mendelian inheritance rules (segregation and independent assortment) as described in this source.
Scope This calculator models complete dominance and independent assortment for one or two genes. It does not account for linkage, incomplete dominance, codominance, or epistasis.
Important: All calculations are strictly based on the formulas and data provided by this source.
The Formula Explained
Formulas displayed in LaTeX notation. They describe gamete probabilities, offspring genotype probabilities, independence across genes, and phenotype rules under complete dominance.
Glossary of Variables
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- Parent 1 genotype (input): Letters representing alleles for 1 or 2 genes, e.g., Aa or AaBb. Uppercase denotes dominant allele, lowercase recessive.
- Parent 2 genotype (input): Same format as Parent 1.
- Cross type (input): Monohybrid (1 gene) or Dihybrid (2 genes).
- Gamete: A haploid combination of one allele from each gene contributed by a parent (e.g., A, a, AB, Ab).
- Punnett Grid: A matrix combining Parent 1 and Parent 2 gametes, showing offspring genotypes per cell.
- Genotype probability (output): Sum of probabilities of all grid cells yielding that genotype.
- Phenotype probability (output): Probability of dominant/recessive expression per gene, combined across genes.
Esempio Pratico Svolto
How it works: A step-by-step example
- Select Monohybrid.
- Enter Parent 1: Aa; Parent 2: Aa.
- Gametes: Each parent produces A (50%) and a (50%).
- Grid cells: AA, Aa, aA, aa. Canonical genotypes: AA, Aa, Aa, aa.
- Using the formula:
AA = 0.5 × 0.5 = 0.25
Aa = 0.5 × 0.5 + 0.5 × 0.5 = 0.5
aa = 0.5 × 0.5 = 0.25 - Phenotypes (complete dominance): A_ (dominant) = 0.75; aa (recessive) = 0.25.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What inputs are required?
Choose Monohybrid or Dihybrid, then enter genotypes for both parents using letters only. Two letters for monohybrid (e.g., Aa) and four letters for dihybrid (e.g., AaBb).
Can I use any letters for genes?
Yes. You can use any alphabetic letters. The calculator groups alleles by their letter, ignoring case, and orders genes alphabetically for output consistency.
How does the tool handle allele order like aA vs Aa?
Order does not matter. Internally, genotypes are canonicalized with uppercase before lowercase (e.g., Aa), ensuring consistent summaries and ratios.
Why might my dihybrid ratios differ from 9:3:3:1?
Classic 9:3:3:1 ratios assume both parents are heterozygous for both genes (AaBb × AaBb) with independent assortment. If parents are not both heterozygous, or alleles are not independent, the ratio changes.
Does this support sex-linked traits?
Not in this version. The calculator focuses on autosomal genes with complete dominance. Future updates may add X-linked modeling.
How precise are the percentages?
All computations are exact rational combinations of gamete probabilities. Values are displayed to one decimal place for readability and can be shown as fractions.
Can I export the grid?
You can copy results or print the page. A CSV export option will be added in a future release.
Formula (LaTeX) + variables + units
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\textbf{Gamete probabilities per gene:}\quad P(\text{allele }X)=\begin{cases} 1 & \text{if homozygous }(XX \text{ or } xx)\\ \tfrac{1}{2} & \text{if heterozygous }(Xx \text{ or } xX) \end{cases}
\textbf{Offspring genotype probability (one gene):}\quad P(G)=\sum_{g_1\in \mathcal{G}_1}\sum_{g_2\in \mathcal{G}_2} \mathbf{1}[\mathrm{combine}(g_1,g_2)=G]\; P(g_1)\,P(g_2)
\textbf{Independence across genes (dihybrid):}\quad P(G_{AB})=P(G_A)\cdot P(G_B)
\textbf{Phenotype rule (complete dominance):}\quad \text{Dominant phenotype if genotype contains at least one uppercase allele; otherwise recessive.}
$\textbf{Gamete probabilities per gene:}\quad P(\text{allele }X)=\begin{cases} 1 & \text{if homozygous }(XX \text{ or } xx)\\ \tfrac{1}{2} & \text{if heterozygous }(Xx \text{ or } xX) \end{cases}$ $\textbf{Offspring genotype probability (one gene):}\quad P(G)=\sum_{g_1\in \mathcal{G}_1}\sum_{g_2\in \mathcal{G}_2} \mathbf{1}[\mathrm{combine}(g_1,g_2)=G]\; P(g_1)\,P(g_2)$ $\textbf{Independence across genes (dihybrid):}\quad P(G_{AB})=P(G_A)\cdot P(G_B)$ $\textbf{Phenotype rule (complete dominance):}\quad \text{Dominant phenotype if genotype contains at least one uppercase allele; otherwise recessive.}$
- T = property tax (annual or monthly depending on input) (currency)
- Direct link — openstax.org · Accessed 2026-01-19
https://openstax.org/details/books/biology-2e
Last code update: 2026-01-19
- Initial audit spec draft generated from HTML extraction (review required).
- Verify formulas match the calculator engine and convert any text-only formulas to LaTeX.
- Confirm sources are authoritative and relevant to the calculator methodology.