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You can make good use of your DNA test results on one of the world’s largest and most globally diverse genealogy websites, MyHeritage. Known for its huge collections of family trees and worldwide records, MyHeritage offers autosomal DNA testing.
The site’s DNA Matching tool helps you find other members whose genetic profiles match yours (or that of another relative in your tree). This can help you confirm the relationships you’ve been researching and discover new relatives.
The ability to view matches is free with your test kit purchase. However, a MyHeritage user account (a free one is fine) and an online tree at MyHeritage (also free for trees with up to 250 individual profiles). Get started by reading below.
1. Purchase a DNA Test and Submit
As of 2025, MyHeritage no longer accepts DNA uploads from other companies. As a result, you’ll need to test directly with MyHeritage to take advantage of its matching tool.
Tests generally cost $89 USD, though they’re often on sale. As of this writing, you can bundle the test with an extended 30-day trial of MyHeritage’s Complete subscription.
Once you have your text, follow the instructions and submit via mail. MyHeritage estimates that you’ll receive results three to four weeks after your sample reaches their facility.
2. Attach the DNA to a Person’s Profile
At MyHeritage, you can assign a person in your tree to a completed DNA test. Log in to your account and click DNA > Manage DNA Kits. You’ll see a list of tests associated with your account (including any that you upload from third-party websites before MyHeritage discontinued that feature). You’ll have the option of attaching each kit to a person in your tree—simply type their name when prompted and check the box indicating you have their permission.
3. View Your Matches
To identify genetic matches, MyHeritage compares your DNA to data from members of MyHeritage and Geni, another site owned by MyHeritage. Once in your account, click DNA and then DNA Matches. Matches usually show either the DNA subject’s name, approximate age and country of birth or residence, or the name of the person managing the DNA test.
Your DNA matches are ranked according to three parameters (Shared DNA, Shared Segments, and Largest Segment), with the strongest matches listed first. Shared DNA shows the percentage of overlapping DNA measured in centimorgans (cM). The more DNA you share, the closer the relationship. Your shared DNA is made up of many segments of varying lengths, and Shared Segments indicates how many you share. The longer the Largest Segment, the more likely you’re closely related.
4. Click on a Match’s Name
Here, you’ll find links to the person’s profile and, if available, family sites and tree. If a matching person is associated with a tree on MyHeritage, click View Tree and you may be able to determine how you’re related. Your access to a tree depends on the privacy settings set by its webmaster.
If MyHeritage has already found a match between your trees, you’ll also be notified of the Smart Match or Theory of Family Relativity here. Click Contact to send a message.
5. Search More Deeply
MyHeritage has many users around the world, upping your chances of having DNA matches in other countries. To search for matches by name or location, use the search box above your first match to “Find a person or a country.”
A version of this article appeared in the January/February 2017 issue of Family Tree Magazine. Last updated: August 2025.
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Author
A contributing editor for Family Tree Magazine, Rick Crume specializes in online research, genealogy software, DNA testing and British genealogy.
