Looking for more than FamilySearch's fan chart?
FamilySearch's free fan chart is excellent. Here's an honest look at when it's all you need, and when Fan Chart Studio is the better fit.
When FamilySearch's fan chart is enough
If your ancestors are already in FamilySearch's shared Family Tree and seven generations is plenty, use it. It's free, it has several useful color views, and you can save it as a PDF to print. We'd rather you got the right chart than sell you one you don't need.
When Fan Chart Studio fits better
- Your tree lives somewhere else: Ancestry, MyHeritage, RootsMagic, Family Tree Maker, Gramps or a file on your computer. Any GEDCOM file works, or just type the names in.
- You want more than 7 generations: up to 10, with smart spacing so names stay readable when your tree has gaps.
- You want to fix things just for the chart: on FamilySearch, changing a name or date edits the shared tree that everyone sees. Here, edits stay on your chart.
- You want a wall poster or a gift: vector PDFs up to 36 × 48 inches and A0, six color themes including Midnight Gold, or a framed print delivered to the door.
- You want other layouts: a classic tree with you at the bottom, or a pedigree chart with full dates.
Side by side
| FamilySearch fan chart | Fan Chart Studio | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free up to 5 generations; $19 once for up to 10 and poster sizes |
| Where the names come from | FamilySearch's shared Family Tree | Any GEDCOM file (including FamilySearch's export) or typed names |
| Generations printed | Up to 7 | Up to 10 |
| Editing for the chart | Edits change the shared tree | Edits stay on your chart |
| Layouts | Fan chart | Half fan, ¾ fan, full circle, tree, pedigree |
| Printing | Save as PDF | Vector PDF up to 36 × 48 in / A0, PNG, or a framed print |
| Privacy | Ancestors live in a public, collaborative tree | Your file is read in your browser and never uploaded |
Bringing your FamilySearch ancestors over
FamilySearch now offers an official export of your ancestors, about 8 generations, as a GEDCOM file. Open that file in the studio and you're ready to design. See how to get a GEDCOM file from FamilySearch for both the official export and the desktop-software route for bigger trees.
Try it with your FamilySearch export
Reads GEDCOM 5.5 and 7, including zipped files. Free for up to 5 generations.
Open your GEDCOM fileFamilySearch® is a trademark of Intellectual Reserve, Inc. Fan Chart Studio is independent and not affiliated with FamilySearch. Features described as of October 2026. Tell us if something has changed.