What is a second cousin twice removed?
Short answerYour second cousin twice removed is either your grandparent’s second cousin or your second cousin’s grandchild. “Second cousin” comes from whichever of you is closer to the shared ancestors; “twice removed” means you are 2 generations apart. The word is the same in both directions: you are their second cousin twice removed too. Full second cousins twice removed share about 0.78% of their DNA on average.
The family line, drawn out
Follow the highlighted line from you up to the shared ancestor and down to them.
How to work it out
- Find the nearest ancestor you share: your 3rd great-grandparent.
- Count the generations from each of you up to that ancestor: 5 for one, 3 for the other.
- Take the smaller number and subtract one: 3 − 1 = 2, so they are second cousins.
- The difference between the two numbers is how many times removed: 5 − 3 = 2.
Cousins are only “removed” when they belong to different generations. Two people in the same generation are never removed, whatever their ages.
Their family and yours
Relationships shift by one step for each generation. Here is how the people around them relate to you:
| Their child | third cousin once removed |
| Their parent on the shared line | first cousin 3 times removed |
| Your child sees them as your child’s | second cousin 3 times removed |
| Your parent sees them as your parent’s | second cousin once removed |
| What they call you | second cousin twice removed |
Shared DNA
On average, full second cousins twice removed share about 0.78% of their DNA. That figure is the expected value: it halves with every generation of separation, and real amounts vary from person to person. A half relationship (through only one shared ancestor instead of a couple) shares about half as much: 0.39%.
Let Family Trees name it for you
In Family Trees, open anyone’s page to see how they are related to you in plain words, or choose any two people under How are they related?. The app counts the shortest blood line through birth and adoptive parents, names step, foster and in-law relations too, and uses exactly the words on this page. It’s free for a family of up to 100 people. You can also try the relationship calculator here.
Questions
What is a second cousin twice removed?
Your second cousin twice removed is either your grandparent’s second cousin or your second cousin’s grandchild. “Second cousin” comes from whichever of you is closer to the shared ancestors; “twice removed” means you are 2 generations apart. The word is the same in both directions: you are their second cousin twice removed too.
How much DNA do you share with a second cousin twice removed?
About 0.78% on average. Each generation of separation halves the expected amount, and individual results vary.
What is my second cousin twice removed’s child to me?
Your third cousin once removed.
Is a second cousin twice removed the same as a fourth cousin?
No. A fourth cousin is in your own generation and shares your 3rd great-grandparents. A second cousin twice removed shares the same ancestors but sits 2 generations away from you.