Important: Our estimated sample processing time is 4-6 weeks from the time your sample reaches the lab. Actual sample processing times may vary.
Your 23andMe profile homepage displays the status of your sample kit as it moves through each step of processing, from the time you order to the time you receive your results. Results typically take 4-6 weeks from the time a registered sample is received at the lab.
Step 1: Register your kit
Before you submit your sample, make sure to register your kit to a 23andMe account. To begin, visit www.23andme.com/start.
Once you have successfully registered, use the return tracking link available on your profile homepage to track your kit’s progress to the lab. Samples mailed from Canada typically reach the lab within 2-3 weeks.
Step 2: Sample arrived at the lab
We'll send you an email when your sample is received at the lab and the barcode has been scanned. Once a sample is received, it enters the queue for processing.
Step 3-4: Prepping Your Sample and Extracting Your DNA
Your sample is then prepared for the next steps of processing. These preparation steps include the time your sample spends in the queue at the laboratory. For example, some steps include, visual inspection of the sample, DNA extraction, measuring the concentration of DNA in each sample, and amplification of DNA from your sample. If your sample does not yield sufficient quantities of DNA, this step may be repeated.
Step 5: Genotyping
During this part of processing, samples that yield sufficient quantities of DNA are genotyped on our custom microarray (SNP chip).
Step 6: Reviewing the Data
Data returned from the genotyping step is quality reviewed to ensure that it meets our standards for call rate and accuracy. If the sample does not yield a call rate that meets our standards, steps are repeated.
Step 7: Final Computation
Once a sample is successfully genotyped (i.e. passes quality review), data for the sample proceeds to Computation. During the Computation step, sample data is compared with the rest of the 23andMe database to generate results for features like DNA Relatives.
Step 8: Results Ready
Once the computation step is complete, data is loaded into your account and your reports are made available. You will receive an email when your results are ready.