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Biology

Multi-gene cross probability calculator

Probability of a given number of recessive traits among offspring of a multi-gene cross.

What this calculator does

Multi-gene cross probability works out probability of a given number of recessive traits among offspring of a multi-gene cross. 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

FormulaP(exactly r recessive) = C(n,r)·(1/4)ʳ·(3/4)ⁿ⁻ʳ, each Aa×Aa gene pair independent (Mendel’s law of independent assortment)

The inputs explained

FieldWhat to enter
Heterozygous gene pairs (Aa × Aa)A number. Starts at 2.
Number showing recessive phenotypeA number. Starts at 1.
Offspring to project ontoA number. Starts at 16.

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 heterozygous gene pairs (aa × aa)

Every other input is held at the calculator’s starting values while heterozygous gene pairs (aa × aa) varies. Select any row to load that scenario into the calculator.

How the answer changes with heterozygous gene pairs (aa × aa)
Heterozygous gene pairs (Aa × Aa)P(exactly 1 recessive traits)Expected offspring with this outcomeP(all dominant)
125.0%4.0075.0%
1.521.7%3.4665.0%
237.5%6.0056.3%
342.2%6.7542.2%
442.2%6.7531.6%
635.6%5.7017.8%