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Gencove's at-home DNA test uses low-pass whole genome sequencing to analyze your DNA from a simple cheek swab (buccal swab). You receive personalized Polygenic Risk Scores (PRS) across 8 key health traits, an ancestry breakdown, and a download of your complete raw genomic data — all for $49.

Most consumer DNA tests use microarray genotyping, which reads only a small selection of pre-chosen positions in your genome. Gencove uses low-pass whole genome sequencing (lpWGS), which reads your entire genome and then uses advanced imputation to infer millions of additional variants. This approach captures far more of your genetic data, performs more consistently across diverse genetic backgrounds, and produces a sequencing-quality file (VCF) that you can keep and re-analyze as science evolves — without needing to re-test.

This test is for adults 18 and older who want to understand their genetic baseline as part of a proactive approach to health. It is especially useful for people who want to know their genetic predisposition to common conditions like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, or certain cancers — and who want a starting point for more informed conversations with their healthcare provider. It is informational and educational; it is not intended for people seeking a clinical diagnostic test.

No. You can order directly from our website without a referral or prescription. However, because results reflect genetic predisposition and not a diagnosis, we strongly encourage you to discuss your results with a qualified healthcare provider, especially if any results indicate elevated risk.

Visit gencove.com and click 'Get Started.' Create an account, place your order, and we'll ship a cheek swab collection kit to your door. Follow the simple instructions to collect your sample, then mail it back using the prepaid return label. You'll receive an email notification when your results are ready, typically 3-4 weeks after we receive your sample.

Your kit includes 2 buccal (cheek) swabs, 2 collection vials with stabilizing liquid, a sealable plastic bag, detailed step-by-step instructions, and a prepaid return envelope. Everything you need is included — no trips to a clinic or blood draw required.

Before you begin, verify that the kit numbers on both vials match. Then: (1) Place the unopened swabs and vials on a clean, level surface. (2) Remove 1 swab from its package and firmly scrape the inside of one cheek, rotating the swab, for 45 seconds. (3) Open 1 vial, insert the swab tip-down, align the black line on the swab with the edge of the vial, and snap it off so the swab tip remains in the liquid. (4) Repeat steps 2–3 on the opposite cheek using the second swab and vial. (5) Secure the orange cap on both vials, place both in the clear plastic bag, and seal it. (6) Place the sealed bag in the prepaid return envelope and seal it.

Wait at least one hour after eating, drinking anything other than water, smoking, chewing tobacco, or using any tobacco or herbal products before swabbing. Immediately before swabbing, rinse your mouth thoroughly with plain water — this is the single most effective step for a high-quality collection, as it significantly reduces non-human DNA (e.g. bacterial content) on the swab. Do not brush your teeth or use mouthwash immediately before swabbing, as this reduces the number of cheek cells collected.

Food, sugary drinks, and hot beverages can contaminate the sample and encourage bacterial or fungal growth, leading to too much non-human DNA in the sample. Brushing teeth or using mouthwash reduces the number of cheek cells that adhere to the swab. Smoking or tobacco products leave residues and particulates that also contaminate samples. A simple rinse with plain water immediately before swabbing is the best preparation.

Yes. Remove your dentures or partials and clean them with plain water before swabbing. Make sure your mouth is free of denture adhesives, oral analgesics, or clove oil before collecting your sample. Denture adhesives in particular can destroy DNA in the sample and render it unusable; analgesics may also contaminate the sample.

Place the sealed plastic bag containing both vials into the prepaid return envelope included in your kit, seal it, and drop it at any USPS collection point or post office. No additional postage is required.

You can track your sample status in your Gencove account. You will receive an email confirmation when your sample arrives at our lab and again when your results are ready.

In rare cases, a sample may not meet the quality threshold required for sequencing. If this happens, our lab will attempt both swabs twice; however if both fail, we will notify you and send a replacement kit at no additional charge.

Certain cancer treatments can disrupt the structure of DNA and may lead to sample failure. If you are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation in cycles, it is generally best to wait until just before your next treatment cycle to swab. If your radiation therapy is focused on the head or mouth area, please contact our support team with specific details before swabbing. Radiation therapy to other areas of the body is not likely to affect the test.

If you have had a bone marrow transplant or stem cell therapy using cells from a donor (not your own cells), the sample may not accurately reflect your own genetic makeup — donor cells can be present in cheek cells. We recommend contacting our support team before testing so we can advise you appropriately.

Low-pass whole genome sequencing reads your entire genome at low depth — approximately 0.5× coverage. Our imputation pipeline then fills in the gaps using statistical models trained on large reference populations, producing accurate calls across millions of variants. The result is genotyping-array-level accuracy at whole-genome breadth — at an accessible price.

Imputation is a computational method that infers unobserved genetic variants by comparing your partial sequencing data to patterns in large reference panels of fully sequenced genomes. Because nearby variants are inherited together in predictable patterns called haplotypes, imputation can reliably predict variants that were not directly sequenced. Gencove's proprietary imputation pipeline is built for low-pass sequencing data specifically and is optimized for accuracy across diverse ancestries.

For the common variants used in PRS calculations and ancestry analysis, lpWGS with imputation achieves concordance with microarray genotyping of greater than 99% for common variants (minor allele frequency >5%). Unlike arrays, lpWGS also captures variants at positions not represented on any chip, and it performs more consistently across populations that are underrepresented in chip design.

We align to the GRCh38 (hg38) human reference genome, the current standard reference assembly maintained by the Genome Reference Consortium. Your raw data download will be aligned to GRCh38.

Your sample is processed by a CLIA-certified laboratory partner. CLIA certification ensures the lab meets federal standards for quality, accuracy, and reliability in testing. Gencove's bioinformatics pipeline then processes the sequencing data.

A Polygenic Risk Score summarizes the combined effect of many genetic variants — often thousands or millions — across your genome that are associated with a particular trait or condition. Rather than looking at a single gene, PRS captures the cumulative influence of common, small-effect variants identified in large genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Your score places you on a risk spectrum relative to the general population.

Your report includes PRS-based predisposition insights for 8 traits: Coronary artery disease, High cholesterol (LDL), Atrial fibrillation, Type 2 diabetes, Obesity / BMI, Chronic kidney disease, and Colorectal cancer. Additionally, based on your biological sex, you will receive a predisposition insight for either Breast cancer or Prostate cancer.

'High Risk' means your PRS places you in the top percentile range relative to the population used in the underlying study. 'Not High Risk' means your score does not place you in that elevated range. These are relative comparisons, not absolute predictions. Someone in the 'Not High Risk' group can still develop a condition, and someone in the 'High Risk' group may never develop it.

No. Polygenic Risk Scores reflect predisposition, not destiny. Genetics is one layer of risk among many. Your results indicate your relative genetic tendency compared to the broader population — they do not predict whether you will develop a condition. These insights are best used as a starting point for proactive conversations with your healthcare provider.

No. This product is educational and informational only. It is not a diagnostic test, and results should not be used to diagnose, treat, or manage any health condition. Results do not replace clinical testing, medical evaluation, or advice from a qualified healthcare professional.

PRS has several important limitations. First, PRS captures common genetic variants — it does not detect rare, high-impact variants such as BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations, which require separate clinical testing. Second, genetics explains only a portion of risk for complex conditions; environment, lifestyle, and chance all contribute.

No. PRS results should never be used to start, stop, or change any medication or treatment without consulting a qualified healthcare provider. A high PRS may prompt a discussion with your doctor about additional screening or lifestyle changes, but it is not a clinical recommendation on its own.

No. PRS is based on common, small-effect genetic variants and does not test for rare, high-impact single-gene mutations like BRCA1/BRCA2 or Lynch syndrome variants. If you have a family history of hereditary cancer or another serious genetic condition, we recommend discussing clinical genetic testing with your doctor or a genetic counselor.

We recommend scheduling a conversation with your primary care provider. You can share your report with them directly. Your provider may recommend additional screening, lifestyle modifications, or referral to a specialist. A 'High Risk' result is not a cause for alarm on its own — it is information to help you and your doctor make more informed decisions about monitoring and prevention.

The ancestry module provides a breakdown of your genetic ancestry across global populations. Because we sequence your whole genome rather than a chip subset, your ancestry analysis draws on a broader set of variants for greater resolution. Ancestry is included as a complementary benefit alongside your health insights.

Ancestry estimates are probabilistic, not exact, and are influenced by the size and composition of the reference panel. Results for admixed individuals or those from populations underrepresented in reference panels may be less precise.

Results are typically available 3-4 weeks after your sample is received at our lab. You will receive an email notification when your report is ready to view in your secure account. Please keep in mind that results may take 4-6 weeks if the sample quality is low. Our lab will make two attempts to process each swab before we reach out to you for a new collection.

Results are available through your secure online Gencove account. We do not mail, email, or fax printed copies of reports. You can log in from any browser or the Gencove mobile app to view your full report.

We do not currently include genetic counseling as part of our standard offering. We recommend that anyone with concerns about their results — especially elevated risk findings — seek out a board-certified genetic counselor. You can find one through the National Society of Genetic Counselors (nsgc.org) or your primary care provider.

Yes. You can download your complete raw sequencing data at any time from your Gencove account. Your data is provided as a VCF file, both aligned to GRCh38. This is real sequencing data — not a chip genotype file — and can be used for further analysis with third-party tools or future clinical interpretation.

Your raw data is available as an imputed VCF (variant call format) file. This is an industry-standard format compatible with tools like IGV, GATK, and most bioinformatics pipelines.

You are free to download and use your raw data as you choose. However, Gencove is not responsible for the privacy practices, accuracy, or security of any third-party platform. We recommend carefully reviewing the terms and privacy policies of any service before sharing your genomic data.

Low-pass WGS at ~0.5x coverage is not equivalent to high-depth clinical-grade sequencing (typically 30x) and is not appropriate for clinical diagnosis of rare or de novo variants. However, the imputed VCF is highly accurate for common variant analysis — the basis of PRS and ancestry — and is well-suited for research and wellness insights.

You do. Your genetic data belongs to you. You are empowered to download your data and/or delete your data at any time. We do not claim ownership of your data.

Your data is encrypted both in transit (TLS) and at rest (AES-256 encryption). Access is strictly controlled within Gencove and our laboratory partners. We follow industry best practices for data security, including regular audits and access logging.

No. We do not sell, share, or provide your individual genetic data to third parties — including insurers, employers, pharmaceutical companies, or advertisers — without your explicit, opt-in consent.

In the United States, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) protects against discrimination by health insurers and employers based on genetic information. However, GINA does not cover life insurance, disability insurance, or long-term care insurance. We recommend against sharing your raw genetic data in contexts where you are not comfortable with how it may be used.

Gencove will not voluntarily share your individual genetic data with law enforcement. If we receive a valid legal process such as a court order, we will notify affected users to the extent permitted by law before complying.

You can request deletion of your account and all associated data — including your genetic data — through your account settings or by contacting support@gencove.com. Once deleted, your data cannot be recovered.

The test is currently available at an early access price of $49 plus shipping. This includes the at-home collection kit, sequencing-powered analysis, all 8 health predisposition reports, the ancestry module, and lifetime access to your raw data download.

We currently ship within the United States. International availability is planned for the future — check our website for updates.

If you have not yet returned your kit, we can issue a full refund excluding shipping. Once your sample has been received by the lab, we are unable to offer refunds as sequencing has already been initiated. Please contact support@gencove.com within 30 days of purchase if you have an issue with your order.

Not at this time. Each individual is tied to a single account and must be registered by the person whose DNA is being collected. If you'd like a friend or family member to take the test, they can place their own order directly at gencove.com. If you have questions about bulk or group orders, please reach out to us at support@gencove.com.

No. This product is intended for adults 18 years of age and older. We do not accept samples from or create accounts for individuals under 18.

Visit gencove.com and click 'Get Started.' You'll need to provide your email address and create a password. You must be 18 or older and agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

After creating your account, log in and follow the instructions to order your kit. A kit will then be shipped directly to you. Note that the option to "register a kit" is only relevant for kits shipped in bulk and does not apply to individual orders placed through your account.

You can reach our support team by email at support@gencove.com. We aim to respond to all inquiries within 1–2 business days.

Gencove is a genomics company founded by scientists and engineers with deep expertise in population genetics, bioinformatics, and sequencing technology. Our technology is trusted by research institutions including Stanford and Oxford, as well as pharmaceutical partners like GSK and Boehringer Ingelheim. Our direct to consumer product brings the same sequencing infrastructure — previously available only in research and enterprise settings — directly to consumers.

Gencove is a genomics technology company. Our consumer product is informational and educational, not a medical service. We are not a healthcare provider, and our reports do not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Gencove's enterprise platform (enterprise.gencove.com) powers low-pass sequencing and imputation workflows for research institutions, biobanks, and pharmaceutical companies. Our consumer product is built on the same proven technology, packaging sequencing-grade genomic insights into accessible health and ancestry reports.