What this calculator does
Mutation frequency works out fraction of a tested population carrying a mutation, reported per cell or organism tested. Enter your own figures above and the answer updates as you type: nothing is fixed in the code, so the result reflects exactly the numbers you supply.
The formula this calculator evaluates is printed under the tool and explained below, so you can check the working by hand or reuse it in a spreadsheet.
The formula
FormulaMutation frequency = mutants observed / total tested
The inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Mutants observed (count) | A number, measured in count. Starts at 12. |
| Total organisms/cells tested (count) | A number, measured in count. Starts at 1000000. |
Worked examples
Every figure in the tables below is produced by this page’s own calculator at build time, so the numbers and the tool always agree. Select any row to load that scenario.
How the answer changes with mutants observed
Every other input is held at the calculator’s starting values while mutants observed varies. Select any row to load that scenario into the calculator.