What is a typical Shannon index value?

For species diversity, H’ typically ranges 1.5–3.5 nats. Values close to 0 indicate near-monoculture; higher values indicate greater diversity. The theoretical maximum is ln(S) where S is the number of species.

How does Shannon relate to evenness?

Shannon evenness E = H’ / ln(S) ranges 0–1, where 1 = perfectly even distribution. Low H’ can result from few species (low richness) or unequal abundances (low evenness); evenness separates these effects.

Shannon Diversity Index H’ Calculator

Calculate Shannon's H’ = –∑pᵢ·ln(pᵢ) diversity index from species or group abundance data. Combines species richness and evenness. Widely used in ecology, linguistics (lexical diversity), and social science.

Data set — comma or newline separated

Statistical Results — n = 8

Count (n)8

Sum (Σx)40

Min2

Max9

Range7

Q14

Q35.5

IQR1.5

Mean (μ)5

Median4.5

Mode4

Pop. Variance (σ²)4

Pop. Std Dev (σ)2

Sample Variance (s²)4.571428571

Sample Std Dev (s)2.138089935

Skewness0.65625

Excess Kurtosis-0.21875

How It Works

Each component has a specific meaning:

Species or group abundance data — The species or group abundance data recorded for the scenario being assessed.

Note: Interpret the shannon diversity h’ result against the thresholds and context described above.

How to Use

Enter the species or group abundance data for the scenario you are assessing. Calculate Shannon's H’ = –∑pᵢ·ln(pᵢ) diversity index from species or group abundance data. Combines species richness and evenness. Widely used in ecology, linguistics (lexical diversity), and social science. Use the shannon diversity h’ result to inform your calculation.

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