Genetics & evolution · HL

Recombination frequency

Find the proportion of recombinant offspring.

Your values

Number formats & units

Use decimal dots in datasets. Single values also accept decimal commas and scientific notation such as 1.2e-3 or 1.2 × 10⁻³.

Recombination Frequency Calculator inputs

Calculated locally. No account or input upload.

Result & working

Example

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Formula & example

The relationship

recombination frequency=recombinanttotal×100%\text{recombination frequency}=\frac{\text{recombinant}}{\text{total}}\times100\%
map distance≈recombination frequency cM(short distances)\text{map distance}\approx\text{recombination frequency}\,\mathrm{cM}\quad\text{(short distances)}
What the variables mean
SymbolMeaning
recombinantOffspring/gametes with non-parental allele combinations.

Worked example

Recombinant count
84
Total count
500

16.8%

Follow the example steps
  1. RF = recombinant/total × 100 = 84/500 × 100 = 16.8%

Common mistakes

Count only recombinant offspring in the numerator.

Incorrect approach

20/100: RF = 100 × 80/100 = 80%

Correct approach

RF = 100 × 20/100 = 20%

More checks before you submit
  • Identify parental and recombinant classes before summing counts.
Method notes

Recombination frequencies approach 50% for loci that assort independently or are very far apart.