Cousin Chart Calculator
Family trees can be intricate, especially when trying to figure out how you’re related to extended relatives. Whether you’re deep into genealogy research or just curious about your distant cousin at the family reunion, knowing the correct terminology for relationships matters. That’s exactly what our Cousin Chart Calculator helps you do—instantly and accurately identify how two people are related based on cousin degree and generations removed.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to use this free online tool, provide practical examples, and answer common questions about cousin relationships to help you get the most out of it.
What Is the Cousin Chart Calculator?
The Cousin Chart Calculator is an interactive tool that determines the familial relationship between two people based on:
- The degree of cousinship (e.g., 1 for first cousin, 2 for second cousin, etc.)
- The number of generations removed (used when the two individuals are not in the same generation)
Once you input these values and click the “Calculate” button, the tool instantly tells you the proper relationship term—such as “2nd cousin, once removed.”
How to Use the Cousin Chart Calculator (Step-by-Step)
Using the tool is incredibly simple and requires no prior genealogy knowledge:
Step 1: Enter the Degree of Cousinship
This refers to how many generations back you share a common ancestor:
- First cousins share grandparents (input “1”)
- Second cousins share great-grandparents (input “2”)
- Third cousins share great-great-grandparents (input “3”), and so on.
You can enter a value from 1 to 10.
Step 2: Enter the Number of Generations Removed
This value is used when one person is not in the same generation as the other. For example:
- If you are a first cousin to your cousin’s child, you are “first cousins, once removed.”
- If you are two generations apart, you are “twice removed.”
You can input a value from 0 to 10.
Step 3: Click “Calculate”
Once both fields are filled in, click the “Calculate” button. The result will display the correct cousin relationship in a user-friendly format.
Step 4 (Optional): Click “Reset”
Use the “Reset” button to clear the inputs and start over for a new calculation.
Practical Examples
Example 1: First Cousins
Inputs:
- Cousinship Degree: 1
- Generations Removed: 0
Output:
Relationship: 1st cousin
Explanation: You share grandparents and are in the same generation.
Example 2: Second Cousins, Once Removed
Inputs:
- Cousinship Degree: 2
- Generations Removed: 1
Output:
Relationship: 2nd cousin, once removed
Explanation: You share great-grandparents, but one person is one generation younger or older.
Example 3: Third Cousins, Twice Removed
Inputs:
- Cousinship Degree: 3
- Generations Removed: 2
Output:
Relationship: 3rd cousin, 2 times removed
Explanation: You share great-great-grandparents, with a two-generation difference.
Why This Tool Matters: Use Cases
The Cousin Chart Calculator is especially useful for:
- Genealogy research: Accurately label relationships in your family tree.
- Family reunions: Know how you’re related to distant cousins.
- DNA testing services: Tools like AncestryDNA and 23andMe provide cousin matches; this tool helps you interpret them.
- Estate planning: Legal definitions of cousin relationships can influence inheritance.
- Cultural interest: In some cultures, certain cousin relationships are marriageable or taboo—knowing the degree and removal matters.
Additional Insights: What Does “Removed” Mean?
In cousin terminology:
- The “degree” tells you how many generations back your shared ancestor is.
- “Removed” refers to how many generations apart you are from your cousin.
For example, your cousin’s child is not your second cousin—it’s your first cousin once removed, because you’re in different generations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What does “1st cousin once removed” mean?
It means you and the other person share grandparents, but you’re one generation apart. For example, your cousin’s child is your 1st cousin once removed.
2. How do I know if someone is a second or third cousin?
Count how many “greats” appear before the shared ancestor:
- Great-grandparents = second cousins
- Great-great-grandparents = third cousins
3. What does “twice removed” mean?
You and the other person are two generations apart. For example, your cousin’s grandchild is your first cousin twice removed.
4. Can you be cousins and also have a “removed” designation?
Yes. The “removed” just means you’re from different generations.
5. How many types of cousins are there?
There are:
- Degrees (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.)
- Removals (once removed, twice removed, etc.)
These can be combined in many ways.
6. Is a second cousin the same as a cousin once removed?
No. Second cousins are in the same generation. “Once removed” means a generational gap exists.
7. What does “nth cousin m times removed” mean?
You share a common ancestor “n” generations back, and are “m” generations apart.
8. Can I marry my cousin legally?
That depends on your country or state. First-cousin marriage is legal in some places and banned in others.
9. How do I use this calculator for genealogy charts?
Use it to label relationships between any two individuals in your family tree based on generation and cousinship.
10. Can I use this to trace DNA matches?
Yes. Tools like AncestryDNA label matches as 2nd or 3rd cousins—this calculator helps confirm your relationship.
11. Why is the “removed” term important?
It clarifies the generational gap, which is crucial in genealogy and DNA chart interpretation.
12. Is this tool accurate for adoptive or step-relatives?
It’s best suited for biological relationships. Legal or emotional cousinships may vary.
13. Can this tool be used on mobile devices?
Yes, the tool is lightweight and fully mobile-responsive.
14. Does it require any installation or registration?
No. It’s a free, browser-based tool—just visit the page and use it.
15. What’s the highest cousin degree I can enter?
The calculator accepts up to the 10th cousin. Beyond that, relationships are extremely distant.
16. What happens if I input invalid values?
The tool prompts you to “enter valid values.” Cousinship must be 1 or more; generations removed must be 0 or more.
17. Is this useful for historians or anthropologists?
Absolutely. Understanding kinship structures is essential in both genealogy and cultural anthropology.
18. Is the tool multilingual?
Currently, the tool functions in English, but results can be interpreted universally.
19. Can I link to this tool from my family website?
Yes, sharing this tool is encouraged for educational and genealogical purposes.
20. How is “removed” different from “half” cousin?
“Removed” indicates generation gaps; “half” means you share only one common ancestor instead of two.
Start Exploring Your Family Connections
Understanding your extended family just got easier. Whether you’re building a family tree, digging into ancestry records, or just satisfying a curiosity about your cousin’s cousin, the Cousin Chart Calculator gives you the clarity you need in seconds.