Calculator inputs
Enter either relative abundances summing near 100% or raw read counts. Observed taxa and sequencing depth improve the composite score interpretation.
Example data table
Use this sample layout to benchmark a sequencing report before entering your own data.
| Sample | Observed taxa | Depth | Shannon | Score | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panel A | 28 | 42000 | 1.61 | 41.80 | Moderate diversity |
| Panel B | 36 | 68000 | 1.84 | 58.35 | Moderate diversity |
| Panel C | 47 | 91000 | 2.01 | 71.20 | Good diversity |
| Panel D | 55 | 118000 | 2.08 | 83.10 | High diversity |
Formula used
Step 1: Convert each entered taxon value into a proportion.
pi = taxon value / total abundance
Step 2: Calculate Shannon diversity.
Shannon index = -Σ(pi ln pi)
Step 3: Calculate Simpson diversity.
Simpson diversity = 1 - Σ(pi2)
Step 4: Normalize Shannon by the maximum spread across entered taxa.
Normalized Shannon = Shannon / ln(non-zero taxa)
Step 5: Build the composite score.
Diversity score = 100 × [(0.40 × Normalized Shannon) + (0.25 × Simpson) + (0.20 × Evenness) + (0.10 × Richness score) + (0.05 × Depth score)]
Richness score is capped at 1 using 60 observed taxa. Depth score is capped at 1 using 100,000 sequencing reads.
How to use this calculator
- Enter a sample name so exported reports stay identifiable.
- Select whether your lab report provides percentages or raw counts.
- Add the total observed taxa count from the sequencing summary.
- Enter sequencing depth in reads for coverage confidence.
- Fill each taxa box using your report values.
- Submit the form to view the diversity score above.
- Review Shannon, Simpson, evenness, and dominant taxon details.
- Download the summary as CSV or PDF for reference.
Frequently asked questions
1. What does this score measure?
It summarizes microbial spread, balance, richness, and sequencing coverage into one score. Higher values suggest a broader and more even community pattern.
2. Is this score a medical diagnosis?
No. It is an educational interpretation tool. Clinical decisions should rely on a qualified healthcare professional and a validated laboratory report.
3. Can I use percentages instead of counts?
Yes. Choose relative abundance mode when your report lists percentages. The calculator converts everything into proportions before scoring.
4. Why is sequencing depth included?
Greater read depth generally improves confidence that low-abundance organisms were captured. The calculator applies a small coverage weight to reflect that effect.
5. Why does evenness matter?
Evenness shows whether one taxon dominates the profile. More balanced communities usually produce stronger diversity values than heavily concentrated ones.
6. What if my percentages do not equal 100?
A small rounding gap is allowed. If your total falls outside 95% to 105%, adjust the values before calculation for a cleaner interpretation.
7. Why is observed taxa entered separately?
Many lab summaries report total detected taxa beyond the major groups you type here. That value improves the richness portion of the score.
8. Can I compare two test dates with this page?
Yes. Calculate each sample separately, export the tables, and compare score changes, dominant taxa, Shannon values, and sequencing depth side by side.