Making sense of your DNA matches: The new AncestryDNA clustering tool

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In July 2025, AncestryDNA introduced a powerful new feature - Matches by Cluster - that helps us visualise how DNA matches relate both to the tester and to each other. Released as part of the Pro Tools suite and currently in Beta, this is an important step forward for family historians looking to organise and interpret their genetic matches.

Clustering itself isn’t new in genetic genealogy. MyHeritage has offered AutoClusters since 2019. Third-party tools such as GeneticAffairs AutoClusters, DNA Painter’s Cluster Auto Painter (CAP), and GEDmatch Tier 1 Clustering have been available for years. The key difference is that clustering is now built directly into AncestryDNA, giving users of the world’s largest consumer DNA database the convenience of analysis without exporting data elsewhere.

Understanding clustering and its benefits

A cluster displays matches who share DNA with both the tester and each other - often pointing to a shared ancestral line. Instead of analysing matches one by one, visual clusters help identify branches of the tester’s family tree more efficiently.

Clustering can-

  • speed up the process of organising DNA matches,
  • help determine which ancestral line a match belongs to and
  • reveal connections among matches even when the common ancestor is unknown.

How the AncestryDNA clustering tool works

AncestryDNA identifies “shared match” connections, grouping together matches who share DNA with the tester and with each other to form a cluster. There are two display options:

  • Grid — A colour-coded matrix where each cell shows whether two matches share DNA. Coloured blocks highlight clusters - groups of matches who share DNA with each other and with the tester.
  • List view — Lets you expand each cluster to see more details about its matches, with the option to add or remove all matches in a cluster from groups in one click.

Example of AncestryDNA clustering in action

This Matches by Cluster grid is a visual map showing how the tester’s DNA matches connect to one another. Each square represents whether two matches share DNA with each other (and with the tester).

  • Coloured blocks (orange, coral, purple) — Each colour represents a distinct cluster, likely matches who descend from the same ancestral couple.
    • Orange cluster (top left): Matches MS, JL, PG, RC, KG, and RP are interconnected, suggesting they belong to the same branch of the tester’s family.
    • Coral cluster (middle): Matches BR, JS, DR, GR, HS, and AW form another genetic group.
    • Purple cluster (bottom right): Matches WA, KB, and CW form another genetic group.
  • Grey squares — Two matches share DNA but are not in the same cluster, often because they connect to the tester through more than one branch. For example, first cousins with multiple shared ancestral lines may appear here. In this example, the orange and purple clusters are on the maternal line, while the coral cluster is on the paternal line.
  • Blank/off-white squares — These pairs of matches don’t share enough DNA with each other (below the 20 cM threshold) to be linked in clustering.

Beta version — What this means for you

The clustering tool is still in Beta, which means:

  • Features and settings may change.
  • The layout and match results could be updated as development continues.
  • Ancestry is collecting user feedback to refine the final release.

Because results may change, it’s a good idea to save screenshots or notes for future reference.

Current and future match range settings

At present, the tool only includes matches between 65 cM and 1,300 cM - typically first to third cousins.

  • Close family matches (over 1,300 cM) are excluded to avoid linking too many clusters together.
  • Distant matches (under 65 cM) are excluded to keep results focused.
  • Matches must also share at least 20 cM with each other to be grouped into the same cluster.

Coming soon: You’ll be able to choose exactly which DNA matches to include and set your own cM range — without being limited to matches above 65 cM — allowing you to create clusters tailored to your research goals.

Access — Pro Tools subscription required

The clustering feature is part of Ancestry’s Pro Tools, a paid add-on for members. Subscriptions are monthly and can be started or stopped at any time. For short-term projects, you might subscribe for just a month, while ongoing research may benefit from the six-month discounted option.

When the subscription ends, you’ll lose access to the clustering view, but any saved notes and match groups will remain in your account.

Clustering vs. manual sorting

Until now, many researchers have relied on AncestryDNA’s colour-coded groups to sort matches manually. While this can be precise, it’s time-consuming and lacks an at-a-glance overview. Clustering, by contrast, is automated and groups related matches in minutes. It provides an excellent starting point for deeper research.

My suggested approach: Use clustering first to get a quick, big-picture view, then use manual tagging to keep your research organised for the long term.

Practical benefits in research

  • Breaking brick walls — Unknown matches in a cluster with consistent locations or surnames can point to missing branches.
  • Distinguishing ancestral branches — Clusters often naturally split into branches.
  • Spotting endogamy or pedigree collapse — Overlapping clusters or many grey cells may indicate interrelated ancestries.
  • Prioritising matches - Smaller, tightly connected clusters can be the fastest route to breakthroughs.


Final thoughts

AncestryDNA’s Matches by Cluster tool provides a clear visual roadmap through the complexity of DNA matches. Even in its Beta form, with a limited 65 to 1,300 cM range and a Pro Tools subscription requirement, it’s already saving researchers time and revealing hidden connections.

With upcoming adjustable cM ranges, it will become even more flexible and powerful. Whether you’ve used clustering on MyHeritage or third-party tools, having it built directly into AncestryDNA is a genuine game-changer - making complex match lists more manageable and family mysteries more solvable.

Sources Used

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