1. What is DNA Percentage Calculation?

DNA percentage calculation determines the proportion of shared DNA between individuals relative to the total DNA, expressed as a percentage. It's commonly used in genetic genealogy to estimate familial relationships.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the DNA percentage formula:

Where:

• \( \text{Shared cM} \) — Amount of shared centimorgans (cM)
• \( \text{Total cM} \) — Total amount of centimorgans (cM)

Explanation: This formula calculates the percentage of DNA shared between two individuals by dividing the shared cM by the total cM and multiplying by 100.

3. Importance of DNA Percentage Calculation

Details: Calculating DNA percentage helps in understanding genetic relationships, estimating relatedness between individuals, and is valuable in ancestry research and genetic studies.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter shared cM and total cM values. Both values must be positive numbers, and shared cM should not exceed total cM for accurate results.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a centimorgan (cM)?
A: A centimorgan is a unit of genetic linkage that measures the distance between chromosome positions. It's used to quantify the amount of DNA shared between individuals.

Q2: What is a typical DNA percentage for close relatives?
A: Parent-child relationships typically share about 50% DNA, siblings share about 50%, while more distant relatives share smaller percentages.

Q3: How accurate is DNA percentage calculation?
A: The calculation provides a mathematical estimate based on input values. Accuracy depends on the precision of the shared and total cM measurements.

Q4: Can this calculator be used for any type of DNA comparison?
A: Yes, as long as you have accurate shared cM and total cM values, this calculator can be used for various DNA comparison scenarios.

Q5: What if shared cM is greater than total cM?
A: This is not biologically possible. Shared cM should always be less than or equal to total cM. The calculator validates this constraint.