2 steps and 2 steps
First cousins
Each person is a grandchild of the nearest shared ancestor. Two minus one gives first cousins; the generation gap is zero.
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How are these cousins related?
Start with the nearest ancestor both people share. Count the parent–child steps from that ancestor to each person. You only need those two numbers here.
Your cousin relationship
Use this for two people whose nearest shared ancestor is a grandparent or an earlier ancestor for both. It does not label direct ancestors, siblings, aunts, uncles, nieces or nephews.
Generation relationship
Use the cousin chart to work it out yourself. The chart, method and examples work without JavaScript.
No names, dates, uploads or sign-in. The two selections stay in this page; this tool does not send them to an account or write them to browser storage.
Count the path before naming it
- Choose the nearest shared ancestor. An earlier ancestor can make a close relationship appear more distant. Confirm both parent–child paths in your records.
- Count each parent–child connection. From you: parent = 1, grandparent = 2, great-grandparent = 3. Continue one step for each earlier generation.
- Use the shorter count for cousin degree. Subtract one from that count. The difference between the two counts gives the number of generations "removed".
"Removed" describes a generation gap. It does not describe age, how often you meet, or the strength of a relationship. Both directions give the same cousin degree and removed count.
Three paths to compare
2 steps and 3 steps
First cousins, once removed
One person is a grandchild and the other is a great-grandchild of the same ancestor. The shorter path still gives first cousins; the gap is one.
3 steps and 5 steps
Second cousins, twice removed
The shorter path is three generations, giving second cousins. The paths differ by two generations.
A cousin chart you can use without JavaScript
Find one person's generation count across the top and the other person's down the left. Each cell gives cousin degree and removed count.
On a narrow screen, scroll the chart sideways. The worked examples above offer a reading alternative.
| Your steps ↓ / Their steps → | 2 steps | 3 steps | 4 steps | 5 steps | 6 steps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 steps | First cousins | First cousins, once removed | First cousins, twice removed | First cousins, 3 times removed | First cousins, 4 times removed |
| 3 steps | First cousins, once removed | Second cousins | Second cousins, once removed | Second cousins, twice removed | Second cousins, 3 times removed |
| 4 steps | First cousins, twice removed | Second cousins, once removed | Third cousins | Third cousins, once removed | Third cousins, twice removed |
| 5 steps | First cousins, 3 times removed | Second cousins, twice removed | Third cousins, once removed | Fourth cousins | Fourth cousins, once removed |
| 6 steps | First cousins, 4 times removed | Second cousins, 3 times removed | Third cousins, twice removed | Fourth cousins, once removed | Fifth cousins |
Common questions about cousin relationships
What does "once removed" mean in cousin relationships?
"Once removed" means there is a one-generation gap between two cousins. For example, your parent's first cousin is your first cousin once removed. It describes a generation difference, not age or how close you are.
What is a second cousin?
Second cousins share a great-grandparent as their nearest common ancestor. Both people are three generations (three parent-child steps) from that shared great-grandparent. Since both counts are 3, subtract 1 to get second cousins with no "removed" designation.
What is a second cousin once removed?
A second cousin once removed is someone whose nearest shared ancestor is your great-grandparent, but one of you is three generations from that ancestor and the other is four generations away. The one-generation difference makes them "once removed".
How do I count generations to calculate cousin relationships?
Start from the nearest shared ancestor and count parent-child connections. Your parent is 1 step, grandparent is 2 steps, great-grandparent is 3 steps, and so on. Count the same way for the other person. The smaller count minus one gives the cousin degree, and the difference between counts is the number of times "removed".
Are first cousins the children of siblings?
Yes, first cousins are the children of siblings. Both first cousins are grandchildren (2 generations) of the same grandparent. Since both generation counts are 2, subtract 1 to get first cousins with no "removed" designation.
What does "twice removed" mean?
"Twice removed" means there is a two-generation gap between cousins. For example, your grandparent's first cousin is your first cousin twice removed. This describes the generational difference, regardless of actual ages.
Keep the family context with the number
This calculator names one shared ancestral path using common English genealogy terms. It does not discover ancestors, prove a relationship, identify full or half relationships, or resolve multiple shared paths. For adoption, step relationships and the words your family uses, record that context alongside the connection.
Before adding a new person to a tree, keep your evidence and any uncertainty with the record. The family story worksheet helps you separate a remembered story from a confirmed detail without uploading it.
Sources and corrections
The method follows FamilySearch's explanation of cousin degree and removed generations. The nearest shared ancestor and relationship boundaries are checked against Ancestry's family relationship terms. Sources reviewed October 21, 2026. The calculator, examples and layout were prepared by Programming Securely; neither organization endorses this tool.
For a correction, email My People Here support with the two counts and the result you expected. You do not need to include names or private family records.