How Much Does A DNA Test Cost?

Last Updated on April 8, 2025
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

Have you ever wondered about your genetic ancestry or familial health risks? Or perhaps needed legal proof of biological relationships? DNA testing provides insights into your genome for recreation, knowledge, and even legal purposes. But how much should you expect to invest in this glimpse into your genetic code?

This guide examines the pricing landscape for various DNA tests to help you budget confidently. We’ll survey cost factors, compare provider pricing, outline hidden fees, and suggest money-saving strategies.

How Much Does A DNA Test Cost?

DNA testing costs currently range from around $50 for basic ancestry kits up to $2,000 or more for comprehensive health screening and full genome sequencing, with most popular consumer DNA tests falling between $99 to $300. The exact cost depends on the specific type of insights, analysis depth, and testing methodology required.

Here are typical price ranges you can expect in today’s market based on the type of DNA test required:

Ancestry DNA Tests – $49 to $149

Popular for exploring family lineage and ethnic heritage, common ancestry DNA test kits include offerings from MyHeritage, 23andMe, AncestryDNA, FamilyTreeDNA, and LivingDNA. Entry-level pricing as low as $49 reveals the basics, while more detailed geographic ancestry breakdowns fall in the $99 to $149 range.

Health Screening & Disease Risk Tests – $99 to $299

Tests like 23andMe Health + Ancestry scan for genetic markers associated with disease predispositions for conditions like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, forms of cancer, heart conditions, and dozens more. They represent a key use of DNA testing. Expect to pay $99 to $299 for robust health screening paired with ancestry.

Paternity Confirmation – $60 to $500+

Legally admissible paternity tests used in court proceedings or child support cases have strict chain of custody controls and documentation standards, significantly increasing costs. Most reputable lab-based tests range $250 to $500+, compared to $60 to $200 for basic home kits.

Family Relationship Testing – $100 to $500

Specialized tests are available to determine a wide range of biological relationships beyond parent/child confirmation. Siblingship tests, grand parentage, aunts/uncles, and more family connections can be proven with costs ranging from $100 to $500 depending on depth and legal admissibility needs.

Whole Genome Sequencing – $250 to $2000+

One of the most advanced forms of consumer DNA testing, whole genome sequencing provides the complete readout of a person’s DNA. Specialty providers like Nebula Genomics and Veritas Genetics market these tests to early adopters at premium price points scaling up to $2000. The cost will come down over time as the technology becomes mainstream.

Prenatal DNA Tests – $1000 to $2000+

Non-invasive prenatal paternity testing examines fetal DNA found within maternal blood, requiring complex testing to isolate. Consequently, these tests cost considerably more than most at $1000 to $2000 per use. The specialized nature limits providers.

Overall, DNA testing pricing aligns closely with analysis complexity. Additional legal requirements, speed needs, or research depth understandably increase costs.

According to Xcode Life, ancestry tests typically range from $59 to $119, with MyHeritage offering the cheapest option at $36 during sales. Health and wellness assessments cost between $100 and $640, while paternity tests range from $130 to $200 for at-home kits and $300 to $500 for legal tests. Molecular genetic tests, which are more complex, can cost anywhere from $100 to $2,000, depending on the scope of analysis.

On DNA Diagnostics Center, paternity tests performed at accredited laboratories cost between $130 and $200 for at-home collection, while court-admissible tests are priced between $300 and $500. Ancestry DNA tests range from $49 to $200, depending on the level of detail provided. Other relationship tests, such as sibling or grandparent DNA tests, cost approximately $300 to $500, reflecting their complexity.

According to MedlinePlus Genetics, direct-to-consumer genetic testing prices start at under $100 but can exceed several thousand dollars for whole genome or whole exome sequencing. The total cost often depends on how many genetic variations are analyzed and whether additional services, such as consultations with healthcare professionals, are included. These tests are typically not covered by health insurance unless deemed medically necessary.

On Top10.com, DNA test kits for ancestry purposes are priced between $49 and $199, while more comprehensive health-related genetic tests can cost up to $1,000. They highlight that some companies offer bundled services, which may reduce overall costs.

Lastly, CNET reports that AncestryDNA kits are priced at $99, while 23andMe offers kits starting at $199 for ancestry plus health insights. Premium packages with additional features can reach up to $499.

Purposes, Methods, and Accessibility

DNA testing analyzes samples like saliva or cheek swabs to identify genetic relationships or markers. Common applications include:

• Verifying family connections with paternity, sibling, or ancestry tests
• Screening for genetic health risks and disease predispositions
• Satisfying legal requirements for proof of biological relationships
• Tracing genealogy through historic ethnicities and migration patterns

While once accessible only through clinics and research institutions, direct-to-consumer DNA test kits from providers like 23andMe and AncestryDNA now make genetic testing affordable, convenient, and understandable for mainstream consumers. But behind these user-friendly kits, costs still range widely based on your specific testing purpose and needs.

Factors Influencing the Cost

Several core factors impact the pricing for DNA tests across the spectrum of available options:

Type of Test – Prices vary widely based on whether you require paternity confirmation, disease risk mapping, basic ancestry estimates, family relationship verification, or other test types. Each has different testing methodologies, analysis, and reporting needs.

Purpose of Test – Legal, medical, family planning, or purely informational tests have different requirements affecting costs. Anything beyond basic personal knowledge often costs more.

Provider Lab – Major consumer DNA testing labs range from $49 to $299 for highly comparable tests. Brand reputation, analysis depth, science expertise, and consumer convenience features explain these pricing spreads.

Speed of Results – Faster turnarounds for test results often cost more depending on batch processing schedules. Expect to pay a premium for expedited results.

Method of Testing – In-lab testing performed by a medical professional generally costs more than convenient at-home, self-collection kits mailed to labs.

Analysis Extent – Tests providing more extensive health analysis or detailed ancestry breakdowns understandably cost more to perform and parse.

DNA Testing Companies

To understand the pricing discrepancies between brands, let’s compare offers from the major consumer DNA test providers for the most popular categories:

Ancestry-Only DNA Test Kit Pricing

• 23andMe Ancestry Service – $99
• AncestryDNA Kit – $99
• MyHeritage DNA Test Kit – $59
• LivingDNA Ancestry Kit – $89

MyHeritage provides very robust ancestry composition reports at the most affordable rate, while LivingDNA focuses on detailed regional breakdowns. 23andMe and AncestryDNA offer tremendous value around the $99 mark.

Health + Ancestry DNA Tests

• 23andMe Health + Ancestry Service – $199
• MyHeritage Health + Ancestry Test – $189
• Veritas Genetics Whole Genome Test – $599

For detailed health analysis plus ancestry, 23andMe maintains strong value. MyHeritage also combines these features well at a slightly lower price point. Veritas Genetics provides complete genome sequencing for those seeking the most comprehensive health data and ancestry details at three times the cost.

Legal DNA Paternity Test Providers and Prices

• Identigene DNA Paternity Test – $339
• DNA Diagnostics Center – $390
• AlphaBiolabs Legal Test – $349

Accredited labs like Identigene, DDC, and AlphaBiolabs satisfy legal standards for court-admissible paternity proof. Prices align closely with Identigene offering a competitively lower price point.

In short, DNA test pricing varies based on genetic analysis extent, test accuracy, legal status, and overall service. But comparing brands at similar testing levels provides helpful price transparency.

You might also like our articles about the cost of Sequenom MaterniT21 testing, blood tests, or karyotype tests.

Legal vs. Informational DNA Tests

If pursuing DNA testing for official legal proceedings like child support cases, expect noticeably higher pricing than informational testing for ancestry or family knowledge. Here are the main reasons:

• Legal tests mandate strict chain of custody protocols with documented handling and transport, adding administrative time and costs.
• Accredited labs must facilitate court-admissible paperwork like notarized chain of custody affidavits and legally binding results documentation. This requires certified staff and systems.
• On average, the same DNA test for legal/court purposes will cost $200 to $400 more than when used only for personal informational purposes without legal implications.
• For legal tests, all parties must test in-person under observation at approved identity-validated collection sites. No unsupervised home self-collection is permitted.

While legal DNA tests cost more, the premium pays for ironclad results that stand up to judicial scrutiny. If legal ramifications are possible from your test, ensure you select an accredited, court-recognized provider. Otherwise, personal testing kits should suffice.

Hidden Fees and Additional Costs

While base kit prices may seem straightforward at first glance, there are a number of potential fees to be aware of when estimating your total testing cost:

• Shipping and handling fees – Expect to pay $10 to $15 for overnight shipping each way for your test kit and samples.
• Professional result consultation – To have a genetic counselor explain your results, plan on $50 to $100 or more in additional fees.
• Genealogical database access – Upgrading your ancestry analysis tools and records typically runs $39 to $79 per year for enhanced insights.
• International shipping – For test kits outside the U.S., you’ll pay an additional $40 or more for international shipping logistics.
• Premium reports or analysis – Add-ons like maternal haplogroup tracing, variant analysis, or new test areas often cost extra beyond the base results.
• Expedited processing – If you pay $100 to $150 for expedited results, you can receive them in 3 weeks instead of the standard 6–8-week turnaround.

Research all the potential cost add-ons and extras associated with your selected DNA test so you can budget accurately and avoid monetary surprises down the road. The advertised base kit price doesn’t necessarily represent true all-inclusive cost.

Estimating Your All-In Costs

To make estimating total costs more tangible, let’s break down a typical testing scenario from start to finish:

Ancestry-Only DNA Kit

• Product Price: $99
• Shipping and Handling: $15
• Total Tax: $10
• Total Upfront Fees: $124
• Genealogy Database Upgrade: $59 (optional)
• Expedited Processing (optional): $125

In this common example, a basic $99 ancestry DNA test costs $124 to initiate, with potential add-ons increasing the final price to $200 or more. Having this cost knowledge upfront helps avoid budget surprises.

Affordable, Cost-Effective DNA Testing

You can reduce DNA testing costs through:

• Searching for coupon codes for major test providers to save 10% to 15%.
• Comparing $99 introductory kit deals from brands like 23andMe and AncestryDNA.
• Choosing limited feature packages like ancestry-only reports to avoid premium upgrade fees.
• Looking for occasional sale promotions around events like Black Friday where prices drop 15% or more.
• Providing your own saliva sample at home rather than paying for in-office testing.

Just ensure to verify accreditations first for important legal or medical tests.

Final Words

We hope this guide provides clearer insight into real-world DNA testing costs. While prices may vary, the value of learning more about your health, family, and self often outweighs financial considerations.

As you choose a testing provider and product, simply focus on aligning affordability with your specific purpose, whether satisfying curiosity or meeting legal standards. The right DNA test provides enlightening, empowering, and often affordable perspective into who you are!

Answers to Common Questions

Will alcohol mess up a DNA test?

No, occasional alcohol consumption will not invalidate or alter your genetic sample or test results. However, submitting a saliva sample can be difficult with residual alcohol impacting saliva quantity and quality. For best results, refrain from heavy drinking for 24 hours prior to collecting your sample.

What are the limitations of DNA testing?

No at-home DNA test is 100% conclusive or diagnostic for health risks, relationships, or ethnicity. While scientifically sound, the tests only examine select genetic markers indicative of possible outcomes. Consult a doctor to diagnose actual medical conditions or a lab for legal proof.

Which DNA test gives the best results?

Currently, AncestryDNA boasts the largest customer database and ethnic regions for the most precise ancestry breakdowns and DNA matching. But all major providers deliver broadly accurate and insightful ethnicity estimates suitable for personal discovery.