Mutation Rate Calculator

Work out mutation rate instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Mutation Rate Calculator

Divides observed mutations by the number of sites screened and generations to give the per-site per-generation mutation rate.

Formula

Mutation rate

Rate = mutations observed / (sites screened x generations); mutations per genome = rate x genome size

Worked example

With the default values below, Mutation Rate Calculator returns Mutation rate of 0.00000000400000. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

New mutations observedaccepts 0–1,000,000: 12
Sites screenedaccepts 1–10,000,000,000,000: 3,000,000,000
Generationsaccepts 0.1–1,000: 1

Results

Mutation rate: 0.00000000400000 per site per generation
Log10 of the rate: -8.398
Mutations per genome per generation: 12.0000
Generations per mutation at one site: 250,000,000

Step by step

1Values used
2Mutation rate
3Mutation rate= 0.00000000400000 per site per generation
4Log10 of the rate= -8.398
5Mutations per genome per generation= 12.0000
6Generations per mutation at one site= 250,000,000

Assumptions and limits

The result is derived only from the 3 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
Figures are rounded for display to 14 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the human rate?

About 1.2 x 10^-8 per site per generation, giving roughly 50 to 70 new mutations per genome.

Why is paternal age relevant?

Sperm continue dividing throughout life, so the paternal mutation contribution rises with age.