How to use the molecular clock divergence time calculator
Estimate when two lineages split from the number of substitutions per site and the substitution rate. Enter substitutions per site, substitution rate per site per year in the fields above; the divergence time are computed instantly and plotted on the chart so you can see how the answer changes.
Common searches this calculator answers include “molecular clock”, “divergence time from mutations”, “time since species split”, “calculate molecular clock divergence time”, “find divergence time”.
Formula
Variables
- K — Substitutions per site
- r — Substitution rate per site per year
Worked example
With substitutions per site = 0.12, substitution rate per site per year = 0.000000006, the calculator gives divergence time ≈ 10,000,000 years; divergence time ≈ 10 million years.
Frequently asked questions
What is the molecular clock divergence time calculator used for?
Estimate when two lineages split from the number of substitutions per site and the substitution rate. It helps with questions such as “molecular clock”, “divergence time from mutations”, “time since species split”.
What is the formula for the molecular clock divergence time calculation?
Divergence time (years) = K / (2 × r). Divergence time (million years) = [Divergence time] / 1e6. Here K is substitutions per site, r is substitution rate per site per year.
What inputs do I need for the molecular clock divergence time calculator?
You need substitutions per site, substitution rate per site per year. Each field is pre-filled with a typical example so you can see how the result responds as you edit the numbers.
How do I use the molecular clock divergence time calculator?
Type values into the input fields. Results and the chart update instantly. Use Reset to restore the example values, Copy results to paste them elsewhere, or Share to copy a link that preserves your inputs.
Is the molecular clock divergence time result exact?
Calculations use standard formulas and double-precision arithmetic, then display about seven significant figures. Real-world measurements carry uncertainty, so treat results as estimates unless your inputs are exact.