Eye colour is a genetic trait passed down from parents and influenced by several different genes. Researchers study this by looking at tiny variations in DNA called single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), along with changes in nearby genetic regions. Scientists still don’t know the exact number of genes involved, but a few have been strongly linked to eye-colour inheritance. In a 2009 study from Rotterdam, researchers found that using six specific SNPs could predict brown and blue eye colour with over 90% accuracy.Learn more
How to use this Calculator
- Select Parent Eye Colors : Pick the eye color for both parents using the dropdown menus.
- Enter Grandparent Eye Colors : Select the eye color for all four grandparents using the dropdown menus.
- Result : Click to calculate button to get answer
Understanding Your Results
Your results indicate the estimated probability of each eye color based on the family information you entered. Those percentages are the chances that eye color could be passed down.
The higher the percentage, the more likely is the eye color than the others. But even the smaller percentages matter—they’re possible outcomes too, even if they’re less likely.
Eye color is determined by a number of genes inherited from your parents and grandparents. Genetics can be complex, so results should be considered an estimate and not a guarantee.
How to interpret the percentages:
- Higher % = higher chance of that eye color
- Lower % = still possible just less likely .
- The combined percentages are potential inherited outcomes
The Genetics Behind Eye Color
Eye color is determined by multiple genes, but two of the most important ones play a major role in shaping the final result:
- OCA2 gene: Plays a key role in producing and controlling melanin, strongly influencing brown and blue eye color variation.
- HERC2 gene: Regulates the activity of the OCA2 gene, affecting how much pigment is expressed in the iris.
Together, these genes control the amount and distribution of melanin (pigment) in the iris. Higher melanin levels generally result in darker eye colors like brown, while lower levels can produce lighter shades such as blue or green.
How Our Eye Color Calculator Works
Your eye color calculator is based on traits passed down through your family to help estimate your child's potential eye color using a simple genetic algorithm.
- Eye Color Family History: Your history of eye colors from both sides of the family, as well as that of your parents and grandparents, will all impact the outcome of your child's eye color by the use of dominant and recessive genes.
- Many Genes Interacting with Each Other: There are many genes (not just one) that interact with one another to create an individual's eye color.
- Due to the complicated genetics of eye color, the results produced by this calculator cannot be guaranteed to be 100% accurate; but rather, they represent a fun and instructional estimate of genetics based on established inheritance pattern
Because the genetics of eye color are intricate, findings cannot be guaranteed to be 100% accurate. This calculator is intended to offer a fun, instructive genetics-based estimate utilizing well-known inheritance patterns.
Understanding Eye Color Genetics
Brown eyes typically contain more melanin and are genetically dominant. Blue eyes contain less melanin and are usually recessive. Green and hazel are influenced by a combination of pigment amount and light scattering.
Common Eye Color Probability
| Eye Color | Genetic Strength | Rarity |
|---|---|---|
| Brown | Strong dominant | Most common |
| Blue | Recessive | Common |
| Green | Moderate | Rare |
| Hazel | Mixed inheritance | Uncommon |