Shannon Diversity Index Calculator
Estimate Shannon diversity from the proportions of three observed species groups.
Shannon Diversity Index measurements
Enter your values, then calculate.
Result
How to calculate shannon diversity index
Summarize both richness and evenness for a sample containing three species or taxonomic groups.
How the calculation works
The Shannon index is the negative sum of each species proportion multiplied by its natural logarithm. More even communities generally produce larger values.
Example
Proportions of 0.50, 0.30, and 0.20 give a Shannon index of approximately 1.03.
Frequently asked questions
What does a larger Shannon index mean?
Within comparable samples, a larger value usually indicates greater diversity or a more even distribution among species.
Shannon Diversity Index Calculator
The Shannon index is the negative sum of each species proportion multiplied by its natural logarithm. More even communities generally produce larger values.
Let's understand your shannon diversity index result.
Calculate a result above and this guide will help you interpret it using this calculator's own formula and explanation.
Pro Tips for Shannon Diversity Index
- Convert counts to proportions before entering them.
- Make sure the entered proportions total 1.00.
Common Shannon Diversity Index Mistakes to Avoid
- Entering a zero proportion is undefined in the logarithm; omit absent species rather than entering zero.
When to Use This Calculator
Summarize both richness and evenness for a sample containing three species or taxonomic groups.