1. What is DNA Ancestry Testing?

DNA ancestry testing examines your unique genetic code to estimate your ethnic background by comparing your DNA to reference populations from around the world.

2. How Ethnicity Estimation Works

The calculator processes your raw DNA data using the formula:

Where:

• \( DNA\_testing \) — Your raw genetic data from testing companies
• \( process \) — Algorithm comparing your SNPs to reference populations

Explanation: The analysis looks at hundreds of thousands of genetic markers (SNPs) and compares them to reference populations with known ancestry.

3. Understanding Your Results

Details: Ethnicity estimates show the percentage of your DNA that matches different regional populations. These are estimates, not exact measurements.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Paste your raw DNA data (usually a text file) from services like 23andMe, AncestryDNA, or MyHeritage. The more data available, the more accurate the estimate.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How accurate are DNA ethnicity estimates?
A: Estimates are generally accurate at continental levels but less precise for specific regions. Accuracy improves as reference databases grow.

Q2: Why do results vary between companies?
A: Different companies use different algorithms and reference populations, leading to variations in estimates.

Q3: Can DNA testing identify specific tribes or ethnic groups?
A: Usually not precisely, though some tests can identify broad regional connections.

Q4: Why might my results change over time?
A: As companies update their reference databases and algorithms, your estimates may be recalculated differently.

Q5: Can these tests find living relatives?
A: Most services offer relative matching separately from ethnicity estimates.