The closeness of a mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) match depends on the matching level. Matches at higher levels are more likely to be recent. The table below shows the expected time to a common ancestor with your exact matches. This time span should be used alongside relevant genealogical information such as a known pedigree on the direct maternal line and geographic locations.

Note: Higher testing levels (mtDNAPlus and mtFullSequence) include matching from lower testing levels. This means that someone who tests at the mtFullSequence testing level will have matching at the HVR1 level, the HVR1 & HVR2 level, and the HVR1, HVR2, & Coding Region level.