Free Genogram Templates (2026)
Blank printable PDFs and editable online genogram templates for therapy, medical history, social work, and education — built on the McGoldrick standard. Download or edit directly in your browser.
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What Is a Genogram Template?
A genogram template is a pre-structured diagram that gives you a ready-made framework for mapping family relationships, medical history, and behavioral patterns across generations. Rather than starting from a blank page, a template provides the correct layout and symbol key so you can focus on gathering information. The most widely used format is the 3-generation genogram template, which covers grandparents, parents, and the current generation — the clinical standard for therapy and social work assessments. A blank genogram template is useful when you need full flexibility for larger or non-standard family structures.
Genogram templates are used by therapists, social workers, nursing students, and family medicine practitioners to document hereditary conditions, relationship dynamics, and life events visually. To get started digitally, open the free online genogram maker — no download needed. For a full list of standard notation, see the genogram symbols reference guide.
Choose Your Template Type
Basic Family Genogram
3-generation starter template
Perfect for beginners. Includes space for grandparents, parents, and children with basic relationship lines and a symbol key.
- 3 generations pre-formatted
- Symbol legend included
- Printable A4/Letter size
Medical History Genogram
Health tracking template
Track hereditary conditions across generations. Includes color coding legend for diseases, age of onset fields, and cause of death notation.
- Medical color code legend
- Age/diagnosis fields
- 4 generations included
Therapy/Clinical Genogram
Emotional relationships focus
Designed for family therapists and counselors. Emphasizes emotional relationship patterns with full notation for close, distant, conflictual, and cutoff relationships.
- All emotional symbols
- Clinical notation guide
- Space for notes
Social Work Genogram
Case documentation template
Built for social work assessments. Includes household indicators, CPS notation, custody arrangements, and space for eco-map integration.
- Household markers
- Custody notation
- Case documentation ready
Educational Genogram
Student/classroom template
Simplified template for students learning genogram concepts. Includes extensive symbol guide and step-by-step instructions for classroom use.
- Beginner-friendly layout
- Detailed instructions
- Practice exercises
Blank Genogram
Start from scratch
A clean canvas with just the symbol key. Perfect for experienced users who want full flexibility in their genogram layout.
- Full flexibility
- Symbol reference only
- Maximum workspace
Digital Paper Template
Interactive online template
Prefer paper-style genograms? Our digital paper tool gives you an infinite canvas with a pencil-like drawing experience. Sketch genograms naturally, then export as PDF. Combines the feel of paper with the power of digital editing.
- Infinite canvas with zoom
- Hand-drawn feel, digital convenience
- Export to PDF for printing
Why Create Genograms Online Instead?
Paper Templates
- • Hard to edit once drawn
- • Can get messy with complex families
- • No undo button for mistakes
- • Difficult to share digitally
- • Can't easily add new family members
GenogramAI Online
- • Edit anytime, unlimited changes
- • Auto-layout keeps it clean
- • AI creates from text descriptions
- • Export to PDF, PNG, or share link
- • Add family members in seconds
- • Cloud storage with encryption
No download required • Works in browser
Quick Symbol Reference
All our templates include this symbol guide. Here's a preview of the key symbols:
Male
Female
Unknown
Deceased
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a genogram template?
A genogram template is a pre-formatted document or digital canvas that includes the basic structure and symbols for creating a genogram. Templates save time by providing a starting point with proper formatting, symbol guides, and space for family information.
Should I use a paper template or digital tool?
It depends on your needs. Paper templates are great for initial brainstorming, client sessions, or when technology isn't available. Digital tools like GenogramAI offer advantages: easy editing, automatic symbol placement, cloud storage, and professional export options.
Can I edit genogram templates?
Most templates are designed to be editable. PDF templates can be filled in by hand or with PDF software. Word templates allow digital editing. GenogramAI provides fully editable digital templates that automatically apply proper genogram notation.
Are these templates clinically appropriate?
Our templates follow standard genogram notation as established by McGoldrick, Gerson, and Petry. They're suitable for clinical, educational, and personal use. For specialized clinical applications, verify symbols meet your organization's documentation standards.
What is the best free genogram template?
The best free genogram template depends on your use case. For therapy and social work, a 3-generation blank template with McGoldrick symbols is the clinical standard. For medical use, a template with four health-condition quadrants per person is most useful. GenogramAI's online genogram maker offers free editable templates for all these use cases — no download needed.
How do I fill out a genogram template?
To fill out a genogram template: 1) Start with yourself or the identified patient in the middle generation. 2) Add parents and siblings above. 3) Add children and partners below. 4) Use squares for males and circles for females. 5) Draw horizontal lines for couples and vertical lines for parent-child connections. 6) Add relationship quality lines (solid for close, dotted for distant, zigzag for hostile). 7) Include relevant medical or behavioral information in each person's symbol.
Further Reading
- McGoldrick, M., Gerson, R., & Petry, S. — Genograms: Assessment and Intervention (4th ed.). W.W. Norton & Company, 2020
- Bowen, M. — Family Therapy in Clinical Practice. Jason Aronson, 1978
- DeMaria, R., Weeks, G., & Twist, M. — Focused Genograms: Intergenerational Assessment of Individuals, Couples, and Families (2nd ed.). Routledge, 2017
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Start Creating FreeBrowse Templates by Specialty
Each specialty template includes a preview genogram, use case guide, how-to steps, and clinical FAQs.
Map multigenerational patterns, triangles, and emotional cutoffs for therapeutic use.
View templateDocument complex family structures for case assessments, child welfare, and intervention planning.
View templateTrack hereditary conditions and genetic risk factors across three generations of family health history.
View templateDocument family health patterns and social support systems for community and family nursing practice.
View templateMap multigenerational substance use patterns, enabling dynamics, and recovery resources.
View templateMap loss history, complicated grief, and intergenerational bereavement patterns across the family system.
View templateThe standard genogram format — grandparents, parents, and children mapped in one clear diagram.
View templateEmpty, printable genogram grid with symbol legend — ready to fill in by hand or digitally.
View templateMap each partner's family of origin to understand attachment patterns and relationship blueprints.
View templateUnderstand the family context behind a student's academic, social, and emotional challenges.
View template