Explore Your DNA Story
Explore which tests are best for you and learn more
about your ancestry.
Family Ancestry Test
GREAT START
AUTOSOMAL DNA
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- Get a percentage breakdown of your origins and view which origins correspond with each of your DNA segments.
- Connect with your autosomal DNA relatives within the last 5 generations.
- Learn if you have a connection with ancient European groups.
- Compare matching segments of DNA (blocks) with your genetic matches.
- Genetic males receive an intermediate Y-DNA haplogroup that traces the migration of your direct paternal line ancestors.
Maternal Ancestry Test
REFINED RESULTS
mtDNA
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- Explore your heritage on your direct maternal line.
- Connect with your maternal-line relatives in our mtDNA database.
- Follow the migration paths of your female maternal-line ancestors with your confirmed mtDNA haplogroup.
- Identifies your specific haplogroup and migration path.
- Discover more about your maternal line and automatically be one of the one million testers whose results will rewrite the mtDNA Tree of Humankind.
Paternal Ancestry Test
GENEALOGIST FAVORITE
Y-DNA
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- Includes everything in the Y-37 and Y-111 plus:
- SNP matching to compare where you and other families fit on the family tree of mankind.
- Discover your closest matches in our Y-DNA database to complete the story of your direct paternal line.
- Follow the detailed migration paths of your male direct-paternal ancestors with your confirmed Y-DNA haplogroup.
- Compare matches and origins on the Big Y Block Tree to complete the history of your surname.
- Sequences 500k+ known SNPs on the Y chromosome and identifies your family’s unique Y chromosome mutations to provide you the most information about your direct paternal line.
- Updates over time as more discoveries are made about your direct paternal line.
- STR download as a CSV included.
- SNP download as a CSV and VCF included.
REFINED MATCHING
Y-DNA
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- Includes everything in Y-37 plus tests an additional 74 markers on your Y chromosome (total of 111)
- Expand your journey to explore your heritage on your direct paternal line.
- Discover matches that share a common paternal-line ancestor within a genealogical timeframe.
- Follow the basic migration paths of your direct paternal line ancestors with your predicted Y-DNA haplogroup (distant).
- Trace your surname within genealogical times to discover more about its roots and expand your family tree.
- STR download available as a CSV.
A GOOD START
Y-DNA
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- Tests 37 markers on your Y chromosome
- Let’s you start your journey to explore your heritage on your direct paternal line.
- Connect with distant direct paternal line relatives in our Y-DNA database.
- Follow the basic migration paths of your direct paternal line ancestors with your predicted Y-DNA haplogroup (distant).
- Trace your surname to its roots and build your family tree.
- STR download available as a CSV.
Have questions? We have answers.
Here are the most frequently asked questions about FamilyTreeDNA. If you have additional questions, feel free to visit our Help Center or reach out to our Customer Service team.
Do I need to order a new kit for add-ons and upgrades?
If you have already purchased a DNA kit and submitted a sample, there is no need to order a new kit—we will use your existing DNA sample that is stored in our lab for any additional test(s) that you order. In the rare instance that there is no further DNA available for testing on your existing samples, we will send an additional collection kit, associated with your original kit, to you at no charge.
Which Y-DNA test should I purchase?
If you are looking to begin Y-DNA testing, the Y-37 Marker test allows you to become familiar with Y-DNA results. The Y-111 test is the most beneficial for joining our free Group Projects or for those looking to confirm Y-chromosome matching at our highest level between two living men. The difference between the Y-37 and Y-111 tests is that we analyze more markers (STRs) with the Y-111 test, which allows for more refined results including matches. The Big Y-700 is for expert users, it provides over 200K SNPs and additional STRs; however, these markers do not provide more refined matching.
What is Autosomal DNA?
Our signature Family Finder™ test focuses on autosomal DNA, which is inherited from both parents, four grandparents, eight great-grandparents, etc. This test is designed to find matches in our massive DNA database on all of your ancestral lines within the last five generations.
Why isn’t the cart allowing me to purchase Family Finder™?
If you are trying to purchase Family Finder and you receive an Error Message in your cart, it could be the following:
Family Finder cannot be added to your account if you already ordered an Autosomal DNA Transfer, and/or transferred Raw Data from another testing company.
If attempting to order Family Finder for someone else but are signed in to your kit (account), you will need to “add or gift another kit” and add Family Finder to that new kit.
What is mtDNA?
mtDNA refers to mitochondrial DNA which is passed from mother to child. While men receive mitochondrial DNA from their mother, they do not pass it on to their children. Testing mtDNA allows for investigation into your maternal line and can help identify living relatives whose mtDNA is similar to yours, as well as ancient migration routes your maternal ancestors may have taken.
What is Y-DNA?
Y-DNA is what we call the sex chromosome “Y” that is passed from a father to his sons only, women do not receive a Y chromosome. Testing the Y chromosome allows for investigation into a male’s paternal family line and can help identify surname lines, living relatives whose Y chromosome is similar to yours, and ancient migration routes your paternal ancestors may have taken.
What is a Marker or STR?
A marker is what we test in our basic Y-DNA tests. These markers are also referred to as STRs (Short Tandem Repeats) which are a series of repeating nucleotides (A, T, G, C). For example: GACTACTACTACTGG – the STR consists of the three repeated CTA segments. Y-DNA tests look for matching markers or “STRs” between two men, if they match, which would indicate a genetic relationship.