Pedigree Diagram Template

About the Pedigree Diagram Template

You can identify how traits and diseases are passed from one generation to the next using the pedigree diagram template. Pedigree Diagrams are useful for doctors, veterinarians, farmers, and anyone else working with genes or interested in genetics.

What is a pedigree diagram?

A pedigree diagram is an advanced version of a family tree, that is commonly used to diagram relationships within family members. It shows how genetic traits and diseases are passed from one generation to the next. 

You can use a pedigree diagram to see which family members carry a certain trait, like a widow’s peak. Doctors use them to see how diseases are passed from parents to children. Farmers use it in husbandry to track traits in crops and animals. 

In a pedigree diagram, males are represented by squares; females by circles. Shaded symbols mean someone has a specific trait (e.g., dimples). Unshaded symbols mean an individual doesn’t have a specific trait. 

Benefits of pedigree diagrams

Pedigree diagrams can help doctors identify and diagnose diseases. 

For example, let’s say someone has a family history of heart disease. A pedigree diagram will tell us whether this individual is likely to have a heart condition. This can help doctors diagnose and treat patients faster, then provide better healthcare. 

In science, pedigree diagrams can help understand how traits are inherited. 

For example, dimples may pass from father to son in one family, and from mother to daughter in another. Blonde hair might pass from grandparents to grandchildren, but not from parents to children. Pedigree diagrams make patterns like these easy to identify.  

Create your own pedigree diagram

Miro’s is the perfect starting point for a pedigree diagram. Get started by opening the template on this page and following the steps below. 

Step 1:

Add individuals to your pedigree diagram. Go with as many as you can — or as many as are relevant. Place older generations at the top and younger ones below them. 

Males are represented by squares. Females are represented by circles.

You can always use Miro to change symbols around later, so if you make a mistake, don’t worry. Just try to be as thorough as possible. 

Step 2:

Connect individuals using lines of marriage and descent. A straight horizontal line represents the marriage between two individuals.

Descent is represented by diagonal and vertical lines that connect a couple from an older generation to a younger individual. 

Step 3:

Add dates. This isn’t strictly necessary, but it can help keep track of individuals across generations.

Add dates of birth, death, and/or marriage lines to your pedigree diagram template. 

Step 4:

Use symbols to show which family members have or don’t have a specific trait.

For example, let’s say your pedigree diagram shows widow’s peaks. Family members who don’t have a widow’s peak will be represented by unshaded symbols. Family members who do have a widow’s peak will be represented by a shaded symbol. 

Once you’re ready to collaborate and receive feedback, use Miro to share your Pedigree diagrams. You may want to also create a family tree to share other details of your family.

Example of pedigree diagram

Let’s imagine the Smith family has a long history of diabetes. But, some members of the family develop the condition, while others don’t. 

We can use a pedigree diagram to see the pattern of inheritance, i.e., how the disease is passed from parent to child.

This can help us predict whether a given Smith family member has diabetes or will develop it in the future.