DNAmatch Grid – Help & Overview

Important Note:
This tool is designed as a visual aid only. It does not automatically build your family tree or provide definitive proof of any relationship. Instead, it displays suggested positions for your DNA matches relative to you (“SELF”) based on the cM values from your DNA test. Use it as one tool among many when exploring your family connections. None of the content you paste into this website is stored on our servers. All data is processed locally and only held temporarily. Any results you copy or transfer to your PC or other pages remain solely on your end and are not saved by DNAmatch.

What Is DNAmatch Grid?

The DNAmatch Grid is a relationship chart presented in a checkerboard style. The chart places you—the person who took the DNA test (shown as SELF)—in a white center cell. Surrounding this center, cells represent both your closest relatives (such as parents, siblings, and children) and more extended family members (including aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces/nephews, and distant relations).

Each grid cell is labeled with an expected cM value for that relationship along with an allowed range. For example, a cell might display:

1754 cM
(1053 – 2631)

This indicates that if a DNA match falls within this cell, the relationship is predicted to share an average of 1754 cM with an acceptable range from 1053 to 2631 cM.

How It Works

1. The Grid Structure
   • Checkerboard Layout: Closer relatives (e.g., parents, siblings, and children) are adjacent to SELF. As you move outward, the expected cM values generally decrease.
   • Merged Cells & Colours: The grid uses different background colours (such as light grey, light orange, corn, linen, etc.) to visually separate relationship types and help you quickly identify where each type of relative is likely to be positioned relative to SELF.
2. Data Input & Processing
   • Importing DNA Match Data: Paste your DNA match results into a text box as tab- or comma-separated values (e.g., “John Smirk [tab] 1690 cM” or “John Smirk,1690 cM”). The plugin processes these values and determines which grid cells the match might belong to.
   • cM Variation: Each cell shows an expected cM value and range (for example, “1754 cM (1053 – 2631)”). The plugin uses a user-selectable percentage variation to allow a match to be placed in one or more cells if its cM value falls within multiple allowable ranges.
3. Fine-Tuning Your Grid with New Interactive Features
   • Adjustable Parameters:
     • Closest Age of SELF: Select your age (the person who took the DNA test). This setting, along with the “Years Between Generations” value, automatically hides cells representing implausible generational gaps.
     • Years Between Generations: Set the typical generation gap (e.g., 15, 20, 25, or 30 years) to filter out relationships that are unlikely given your age.
     • % of cM Variation: Choose how much variation to allow when matching a submitted cM value with a grid cell. A higher percentage means a match might appear in more cells.
     • Submission Limit: For performance, non-admin users are now limited to processing the first 25 lines of match data. Administrators can submit larger datasets.
   • Interactive Features:
     • Highlighting Matches & Duplicate Removal: When you click a match’s name (displayed with its cM value), every instance of that match throughout the grid is highlighted. A small checkbox appears allowing you to “lock” the highlight by hiding other duplicate placements.
     • Age Input and Generation Filtering: An age input field appears alongside the highlighted match. You can enter an estimated age for that match, and the tool will compare it to your own age (SELF) along with the defined generation gap. Based on this comparison, the grid automatically hides duplicates that don’t belong to the expected generation.

Practical Use

The grid is a visual suggestion tool rather than a definitive solution. For instance, a match sharing 1690 cM might be consistent with being a grandparent, an aunt/uncle, a half-sibling, or a niece/nephew. By adjusting the cM variation percentage and using the new age input feature, you can narrow down the most likely relationship. In practice, these interactive features—especially the age-based filtering and the ability to lock duplicates—help you identify clusters of surnames and focus on the most plausible relationships.

Final Thoughts

Remember, the DNAmatch Grid is meant to serve as a starting point—a tool to help you visualize and explore possible relationships based on shared DNA. It does not replace detailed genealogical research or professional advice but is intended to guide and enhance your family history exploration. Enjoy experimenting with these new interactive features to fine-tune your analysis!