What AncestryDNA does and what it costs
AncestryDNA is a DNA test sold by Ancestry.com that analyzes your saliva to estimate your ethnic background and connect you with relatives who have also tested. You mail a saliva sample to their lab, they sequence your DNA, and within two to four weeks you get an online report showing percentages of ancestry from different regions and a list of DNA matches — people in their database who share segments of your DNA.
The test itself costs between $99 and $199 depending on sales and promotions. Ancestry.com runs frequent discounts, especially around holidays. You do not pay extra to see your matches or to update your results as their reference database grows, but you do need an Ancestry.com account (free to create) to view your results online.
The company also sells a subscription to their family tree and historical records database, which is separate from the DNA test. Many people buy the DNA test alone and never subscribe to the records side. If you do subscribe, it costs $25 to $30 per month depending on the plan level.
Key Takeaways
- AncestryDNA estimates your ethnic background by comparing your DNA to reference populations, but these percentages shift as their database grows and their science improves.
- DNA matches show you biological relatives who have also tested with AncestryDNA, ranked by how much DNA you share, but the relationship estimate (cousin, aunt, etc.) is a prediction, not a certainty.
- Your raw DNA data can be downloaded and uploaded to other genealogy sites like MyHeritage or GEDmatch for free, which may show you matches in their separate databases.
- AncestryDNA does not test for health conditions or disease risk — it is ancestry and genealogy only, not a medical test.
- Your DNA sample and results are stored in Ancestry.com's database indefinitely unless you request deletion, and the company can share anonymized data with research partners.
How the ancestry percentage breakdown works
When you get your results, you see a pie chart or bar graph showing percentages like "42% British and Irish," "28% Scandinavian," "18% Germanic," and so on. These percentages come from comparing your DNA to reference populations — groups of people from specific regions whose ancestry is well-documented. The more of your DNA matches the pattern of a reference population, the higher your percentage for that region.
These percentages are estimates, not facts. They change when Ancestry.com updates their reference populations or improves their matching algorithm, which happens every year or two. A region that showed 15% in your first results might show 12% in an update six months later. This is normal and does not mean your ancestry changed — it means their model got more precise. You can see your results history in your account and watch how the breakdown has shifted over time.
The regions themselves are broad. "Scandinavia" covers Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, but the test cannot tell you which one your ancestor came from. "Europe West" is even broader and includes parts of France, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands. If you want to narrow down which specific country or town your family came from, you need to use the DNA matches and historical records, not the percentage breakdown alone.
Understanding your DNA matches and what they mean
The DNA matches section shows you other people who have tested with AncestryDNA and share DNA with you. The list is ranked by how much DNA you share — your closest matches appear first. Next to each match, you see an estimated relationship like "first cousin," "second cousin," or "close family." This estimate is based on how much DNA you share and statistical models of how much DNA relatives typically share.
The relationship estimate is a prediction, not a may provide. You might share the amount of DNA typical for a first cousin but actually be a half-sibling or a great-aunt. The estimate is usually correct for close relatives (parents, siblings, grandparents) but becomes less reliable the more distant the relationship. For matches beyond second or third cousin, the estimate is often wrong.
Many matches will not have a family tree attached to their profile, or their tree will be private. In those cases, you cannot see how they are related to you through genealogy alone — you only know you share DNA. If you build your own family tree on Ancestry.com, the system will sometimes draw lines showing how you connect to matches, but only if both trees are public and the connection is documented.
What happens to your DNA sample and data
After you mail in your saliva sample, Ancestry.com extracts your DNA, sequences it, and stores the sample and your genetic data in their database. The sample itself is kept for a set period (currently around three years) and then destroyed, but your DNA profile stays in their database indefinitely unless you request deletion.
Your results are private by default — only you can see them unless you choose to make your profile visible to DNA matches. Ancestry.com does not sell your DNA data to third parties, but they do share anonymized genetic data with research partners for studies on health, ancestry, and genetics. You can opt out of research sharing in your account settings.
Law enforcement can obtain your DNA data through a court order or warrant, as happened in several high-profile cases. If you are concerned about this, you should know that deleting your account and results removes your profile from the match database but does not necessarily delete the underlying DNA data from their servers — you may need to contact them directly to request permanent deletion.
Downloading your DNA data and using other sites
AncestryDNA lets you read your raw DNA data as a text file. This file contains your genetic information in a standard format that other genealogy and DNA sites can read. You can upload this file to sites like MyHeritage, GEDmatch, or FamilyTreeDNA for free and see matches in their databases without paying for another test.
Different sites have different match databases, so uploading to multiple sites may show you relatives you would not find on AncestryDNA alone. GEDmatch is particularly useful because it combines matches from many different testing companies and lets you run advanced analysis tools. MyHeritage offers a free tier that shows you matches and a paid tier with more features.
To read your data, log into your AncestryDNA account, go to Settings, and look for the option to read your raw DNA. The file is usually ready within 24 hours. Once you have it, you can upload it to any other site that accepts the format — there is no restriction from Ancestry.com on where you send your data.
How AncestryDNA differs from health and medical DNA tests
AncestryDNA is not a medical test. It does not screen for genetic diseases, predict your risk of developing conditions like heart disease or cancer, or tell you whether you carry genes for inherited disorders. If you want that kind of information, you need a test from a medical company like 23andMe (which offers both ancestry and health) or a test ordered by your doctor.
AncestryDNA focuses only on ancestry and genealogy. It tells you where your ancestors came from and connects you with relatives. Some people buy AncestryDNA thinking it will tell them about health risks and are disappointed when it does not. If health information is important to you, read the description of any test carefully before buying, because the company name alone does not tell you what it tests for.
Common reasons results surprise people
Many people are surprised by their AncestryDNA results because they expected different percentages based on family stories or what they thought they knew about their ancestry. A person who believed they were half Italian might get results showing only 8% Italian and 34% Greek instead. This happens for several reasons.
Family stories are often incomplete or wrong. A grandparent might have said they were from one country when they actually came from a neighboring region, or a family might have hidden ancestry for cultural or social reasons. DNA does not lie, but it also does not know the stories people told. If your results do not match your family history, the DNA is the more reliable source.
Ancestry percentages also reflect your entire family tree, not just the side you think about. If one grandparent was adopted or if there was a non-paternity event (a child born outside marriage or from an affair), your DNA will show the actual biological ancestry, not the family story. DNA matches can sometimes reveal these situations when you find relatives you did not know existed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my AncestryDNA results to learn about someone is really my biological parent?
DNA matches can suggest a biological relationship, but they cannot prove parentage on their own. If you share a large amount of DNA with someone and the relationship estimate says "parent/child," that is strong evidence, but you would need a legal DNA test ordered through a court or a medical provider to establish parentage for legal purposes. AncestryDNA results are not admissible in court.
What if I find a DNA match I do not want to contact?
You can block matches on AncestryDNA so they cannot see your profile or contact you. You can also make your profile private, which hides you from all matches. If someone contacts you and you do not want to respond, you can delete the message and block them. You are never obligated to respond to a match or share information about yourself.
How accurate is the ethnicity estimate?
The ethnicity estimate is usually accurate within 5 to 10 percentage points for broad regions, but less accurate for smaller regions or for people with mixed ancestry. The estimate is most reliable for people whose ancestors stayed in one region for many generations. If your ancestors moved around or your family is from a border region, the percentages may be less precise.
Will my DNA results change if I test again?
You do not need to test again — your results update automatically as Ancestry.com improves their database and algorithm. You will see your ethnicity estimate change over time, and new matches will appear as more people test. If you want to see how your results have changed, check your results history in your account.
Can I delete my results and DNA data?
You can delete your account and request that your results be removed from the match database. However, Ancestry.com may retain your DNA data in their servers for research purposes unless you specifically request permanent deletion. Contact their customer service to ask about complete deletion of your genetic information.