Build Your Family Tree
Turn ancestry data into a clear, shareable genealogy chart in minutes.
Our free genealogy chart maker lets you map generations, add spouses, and include life dates — no design skills needed. From two generations to ten, your family story comes to life instantly.
Everything a Genealogy Chart Maker Should Have
Designed for family historians, hobbyists, and anyone tracing their roots.
Spouse & Partner Support
Add spouses to any family member with a single click and toggle their position left or right to keep your layout clean and readable.
Multi-Generation Hierarchy
Build family trees across unlimited generations — from great-grandparents down to great-grandchildren — with automatic layout adjustment.
Life Date Ranges
Record birth and death years for every individual so your genealogy chart doubles as a historical timeline of your family.
Collapsible Branches
Focus on one branch at a time by collapsing others — ideal for large families where the full tree would otherwise feel overwhelming.
Zoom & Pan Navigation
Explore large family trees with smooth zoom and pan controls, so every name stays legible no matter how many generations you include.
AI-Powered Generation
Describe your family in plain language and let the AI genealogy chart maker build the initial structure, saving you hours of manual entry.
Add Your Family Data Your Way
Type Names Directly
Enter each family member by hand using the built-in node editor — add names and life date ranges as you go.
Paste from Spreadsheet
Copy a list of family members from a spreadsheet and paste it straight into the editor to populate your tree.
Upload a File
Import a CSV or Excel file with your genealogy data and let MakeCharts map it to your family tree automatically (Pro).
Describe It with AI
Type a plain-language description of your family and let the AI build the initial genealogy chart structure for you.
Share Your Family History Anywhere
Download as Image
Export your genealogy chart as a high-resolution PNG or SVG, perfect for printing, framing, or including in a family history book.
Share a Link
Generate a shareable link so relatives anywhere in the world can view your family tree instantly in their browser.
Embed on Your Site
Add your interactive genealogy chart to a personal website, memorial page, or family blog with a simple embed code.
Include in Presentations
Drop your family tree into slides for reunions, memorials, or heritage presentations — clear and professional every time.
About MakeCharts Genealogy Chart Maker
MakeCharts is a free online chart maker built for clarity and speed. The genealogy chart maker is part of a suite of 50+ visualization tools. No software to install, no complex setup — just open the tool and start building your family tree.
- ✓Free family tree chart builder with AI-powered generation
- ✓Supports spouses, children, and multi-generation hierarchies
- ✓Export as PNG or SVG, share via link, or embed on your site
- ✓Built on modern web tech — fast, responsive, and always available
- ✓Trusted by hobbyists, students, and professionals alike
- ✓Part of MakeCharts' library of 50+ free chart types
Genealogy Chart Maker by the Numbers
How to Make a Genealogy Chart
From blank canvas to complete family tree in four simple steps.
Start with the Root Ancestor
Enter the oldest known family member as the root node, including their name and birth-death years if known.
e.g. 'William Carter, 1890-1961' as the root of your tree
Add Children and Spouses
Use the + Child button to add descendants and the & Spouse button to attach partners to any family member in the tree.
e.g. Add three children to William, then attach a spouse to each
Customize Display Settings
Adjust generation spacing, text size, connection line width, and animation duration to make your genealogy chart easy to read.
e.g. Increase spacing for a large tree or reduce text size to fit more members
Download or Share
Export your finished family tree as a PNG or SVG, copy a shareable link, or embed it in your personal or memorial website.
e.g. Download a high-res PNG for a family reunion slideshow
Who Uses a Genealogy Chart Maker
Family trees matter in more contexts than you might expect.
Personal Ancestry Research
Hobbyist genealogists use family tree charts to organize decades of research into a single, shareable visual that relatives can explore together.
Classroom and Academic Projects
Teachers and students use genealogy charts to explore history, identity, and social studies through the lens of real family structures.
Reunions, Memorials, and Celebrations
A well-made genealogy chart becomes the centerpiece of a reunion display or memorial service, helping attendees see exactly how everyone is connected.
Genealogists and Estate Planners
Professional researchers and legal professionals use structured family tree charts to communicate complex relationships clearly to clients and courts.
Templates
Start with professionally designed templates
Dutton Family Tree — Interactive familytree Template
Visualize how the Dutton lineage connects across generations in the Yellowstone series, from founders to present day, in a clean, navigable view.
Targaryen Family Tree — Interactive familytree Template
This template visualizes lineage, marriages, heirs, and claims from Aegon V through Daenerys in the story of A Song of Ice and Fire.
Dutton Family Tree — Interactive familytree Template
Visualize how the Duttons connect across Yellowstone, 1883, and 1923 with color‑coded generations, spouses, and descendants.
Kennedy Family Tree — Interactive familytree Template
This visualization maps the Kennedy family lineage with spouses, generations, dates, and photos for quick, intuitive exploration.
View All Templates
Browse the full library to find more templates tailored to your chart.
MakeCharts vs. Traditional Genealogy Tools
See why MakeCharts is the fastest way to create a genealogy chart online.
Traditional Genealogy Software
- ✗Steep learning curve with complex interfaces
- ✗Desktop installs, updates, and compatibility issues
- ✗Rigid export formats that look outdated
- ✗Hard to share — recipients need the same software
- ✗No AI assistance for building the initial structure
- ✗Paid subscriptions just to access basic features
MakeCharts Genealogy Chart Maker
- ✓Intuitive node editor — add members in seconds
- ✓Runs entirely in your browser, no install needed
- ✓Clean, modern family tree visuals ready to share
- ✓Share via link, image download, or embed code
- ✓AI builds your first draft from a plain-language description
- ✓Free to use with no sign-up required
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a genealogy chart maker?
A genealogy chart maker is an online tool that lets you build visual family trees showing how individuals are related across generations. You add family members as nodes, connect them by parent-child or spouse relationships, and the tool arranges them into a clear hierarchical diagram. MakeCharts provides a free genealogy chart maker with AI-powered generation, customizable layouts, and easy sharing.
Is the genealogy chart maker really free?
Yes. You can build, customize, and download a genealogy chart on MakeCharts without paying anything and without creating an account. Free users get access to the full family tree editor plus a limited number of AI credits for automatic chart generation. Paid plans unlock more AI credits, file uploads, and embedding features.
How many generations can I include in my family tree chart?
There is no hard limit on the number of generations you can add. You can map two generations or twenty. For very large family trees, the zoom and pan controls help you navigate, and the collapsible branch feature lets you hide sections you are not focused on at the moment.
Can I add spouses and partners to my genealogy chart?
Yes. Every family member node has a '& Spouse' button that lets you attach a partner. You can record the spouse's name and life date range, and you can toggle their position left or right to keep the layout clean. Spouses are visually distinct from parent-child connections in the chart.
How do I add life dates to my family tree?
Each node in the family tree editor has a life range field where you can enter birth and death years in the format '1950-2020'. You can also leave either value blank if only one date is known. These dates appear directly on the genealogy chart alongside the member's name.
Built for Every Family Story
- ✓Supports all family structures — biological, adoptive, blended, and chosen families
- ✓Spouse and partner nodes work for any relationship type
- ✓Available in 12+ languages so families worldwide can use it
- ✓Works on any device — desktop, tablet, or phone
- ✓Simple enough for first-time users, flexible enough for professional genealogists
- ✓No genealogy research experience required to get started
Your Family Data, Your Control
- •Your family tree data is used only to render your chart — it is not indexed or shared
- •No account required means no personal information collected to get started
- •You decide what to share: download privately or share a link only with chosen recipients
- •You can delete your charts and account data at any time
- •We do not sell user data to third parties
- •Charts you keep private remain visible only to you
Start Your Family Tree Today
Your family history deserves a clear, beautiful chart. Build it free in minutes.