Introducing MyHeritage DNA Traits: Discover How Your DNA Influences Who You Are
We’re delighted to introduce MyHeritage DNA Traits, a fascinating new product that helps you explore how your genetics influence many aspects of who you are, from taste preferences and sleep patterns to personality, fitness, and cognition. With 40 personalized reports that are backed by scientific research and fun to explore, MyHeritage DNA Traits highlights the small yet significant details that make each person unique and reflects MyHeritage’s commitment to providing a growing range of DNA insights.
Watch the video to discover what your DNA could reveal about you:
MyHeritage DNA Traits is available to all MyHeritage DNA customers, both those whose kits were processed with genotyping array technology, and those whose kits are processed with Whole Genome Sequencing. Additionally, it’s available for anyone who uploaded their DNA data file to MyHeritage from other DNA services, back when DNA uploads were supported. The DNA Trait reports are calculated using your existing DNA data on MyHeritage, so there’s no need to take a new test. The Traits product is accessible on desktop, mobile web, and on the MyHeritage mobile app.
Haven’t taken a MyHeritage DNA test yet? Order a MyHeritage DNA kit today and purchase the DNA Traits add-on after you activate your kit.
What are Traits?
Traits are everyday characteristics that are influenced by genetics, environment, and lifestyle, as well as other factors. The MyHeritage DNA Trait reports help you explore how your genetics influence these characteristics, offering fascinating insight into what makes you, you.
The 40 Trait reports are organized into 5 categories: Personality, Nutrition, Fitness, Lifestyle, and Cognition. Here is an overview of each category:
- Personality: The way you think, feel, and interact with others — for example, empathy, risk-taking, and leadership.
- Nutrition: Food preferences and eating habits, such as sugar cravings and snacking tendencies.
- Fitness: Physical performance, for example, strength, endurance, and exercise recovery.
- Lifestyle: Sleep patterns, stress levels, and overall wellness.
- Cognition: Memory, problem solving, and other cognitive abilities.
All 40 Trait reports by category (click to zoom)
Trait reports are designed for exploration, education, and entertainment. Think of them as sitting at the intersection of science and fun, leaning more toward the fun end of the spectrum. They aren’t diagnostic in any way and are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any medical condition.
How it works
DNA Traits is the result of a new partnership between MyHeritage and SelfDecode, a leading U.S.-based provider of personalized DNA reports for traits, health, and wellness. Through this partnership, technology is licensed to run on MyHeritage’s secure infrastructure, ensuring that genetic data — or any other personal data — is never shared with a third party. The technology has been further enhanced by MyHeritage to provide reports that are more visually appealing, easier to understand, and available in the dozens of languages supported by MyHeritage.
Trait reports are calculated by analyzing your raw DNA data on MyHeritage and identifying specific locations on your DNA, called genetic markers, that scientific studies have linked to different traits. This information is used to estimate your genetic likelihood for each trait and generate a personalized report.
Sometimes a particular marker is not read directly from your DNA data. As a preliminary step in the analysis, a method called imputation is used to fill in any missing markers. Imputation works by using adjacent genetic data and large reference datasets to infer the most likely value. This method is supported by scientific research and allows us to provide you with complete Trait reports.
The number of variants analyzed can range from a few to several million, depending on the trait. Each report draws on scientific research and includes a Quality of Evidence Score ranging from 1 to 5, reflecting the strength of the supporting scientific evidence available for each report.
DNA is only part of the story. For many traits, genetics is only one factor. Your lifestyle, environment, and personal choices often have a much stronger influence.
Accessing MyHeritage DNA Traits
On the MyHeritage website
Log in to your MyHeritage account on the web and select “Traits” from the DNA menu.
Accessing MyHeritage DNA Traits (click to zoom)
This opens the main Traits page with more information about the DNA Traits product. To purchase it, click “Unlock your Trait reports”. Once you complete your purchase, you will be redirected back to the main Traits page. Click “Generate Trait Reports” (marked below in red).
Generating Trait reports on the main Traits page (click to zoom)
Before the reports can be generated, you’ll need to consent to the processing of your DNA data to provide the Trait reports. The reports will be ready in up to 24 hours, but they are usually ready much sooner. You’ll receive an email as soon as they’re available.
When the reports are ready and you return to the main Traits page, it displays an overview of your results, with each trait displayed on an individual card. You can scroll through all cards at once or use the category tabs (marked below in red) to focus on specific areas like Personality or Nutrition. Each card is color coded by category and includes the Trait name, your result, and a visual scale to help you interpret it.
Traits overview page (click to zoom)
The first time you view your Trait reports, a tutorial appears to explain how to use the product. You can access the tutorial later at any time by clicking “Traits tutorial,” marked above in green.
Click any card to view the full Trait report.
Below, we describe the reports in detail.
Trait Reports
The top of each report includes a brief description of the trait and presents the result on a scale, along with a beautiful illustration. Your specific result for that trait appears directly beneath the illustration. Below that is information about how many genetic variants were analyzed to determine your result for that trait. In the example below, the person is more likely to stay up late based on her DNA. To go back to the Traits overview page, click “Back to all Traits”, marked below in red. To move to the next or previous reports, use the buttons marked below in green.
Trait report: Early Bird or Night Owl?
Some Trait reports also include a percentile that shows how your result compares to the general population. In the example below, the user’s result is higher than 87% of people. In other words, if you lined up 100 people based on this trait, this person would be near the top.
Trait reports: Population comparison (click to zoom)
Most reports include a section that outlines the impact of genetics on the trait, compared to lifestyle and environmental factors. This section typically features a graph that shows the estimated contribution of each factor with a percentage, as well as references to supporting scientific papers.
Trait reports: Genetics vs. Lifestyle & Environment (click to zoom)
Every report includes a section that describes the trait in greater detail. It explains how the specific trait may present in different people. In the example below, the report explains what typically characterizes an Early Bird compared to a Night Owl.
Trait reports: About section (click to zoom)
To explore the specific genes and variants that were analyzed, click “Key genetic variants impacting your Trait results”, marked above in red. When a report is based on many thousands of variants or more, the list shown is only partial and displays the variants with the strongest influence on the results.
Trait reports: Key variants impacting the results (click to zoom)
Each Trait report includes a Quality of Evidence score that reflects the strength of the scientific support behind the report. This indicates which reports are backed by more established research, and which are based on earlier or emerging studies. The scoring scale ranges from 1 to 5, with lower scores indicating preliminary or small-scale research, and higher scores reflecting stronger, more established research. In the example below, a score of 3 out of 5 means that several studies support a genetic link with this trait, but additional research is needed to strengthen the confidence.
Trait reports: Quality of Evidence (click to zoom)
Finally, a References section appears at the bottom of each report, listing scientific articles and research papers that helped inform the report. Click any reference to open the link to the article.
Trait reports: References (click to zoom)
Accessing Traits on the MyHeritage mobile app
To access Traits on the MyHeritage app, download the app for free from the App Store or Google Play. If you already have the app installed on your phone, make sure it’s updated to the latest version.
Open the app and tap the Traits banner at the top of the home screen, marked below in red.
Accessing MyHeritage DNA Traits from the app home screen (click to zoom)
You can also access Traits from the app menu on the top left of the screen, marked above in green.
MyHeritage app menu (click to zoom)
Follow the steps on screen to get the Traits add-on and generate your reports. We’ll email you as soon as your reports are ready.
Traits: Examples
Trait reports are designed to be intuitive, with each trait presented on a clear and visually engaging scale. Below are a few examples.
Example 1: Introvert or Extrovert?
Trait reports: Introvert or Extrovert? (click to zoom)
Example 2: Sugar Craving
Trait reports: Sugar Craving (click to zoom)
Example 3: Risk Taking
Trait reports: Risk Taking (click to zoom)
Example 4: Exercise Recovery
Trait reports: Exercise recovery (click to zoom)
Coming soon: Trait Videos
MyHeritage is well known for developing fun and engaging AI-powered experiences, and the launch of Traits is the perfect opportunity for our next AI feature. Very soon, all Traits customers will be able to automatically create a personalized video that highlights some of their strongest traits with a fun and humorous twist. Stay tuned for a blog announcement when this feature goes live.
Privacy
MyHeritage is committed to the privacy and security of its customers’ data. All genetic data is encrypted and stored securely, and MyHeritage does not sell or license data to third parties. Your DNA data is never shared, and your Trait reports are calculated and stored entirely within MyHeritage’s secure infrastructure. Customers can request permanent deletion of their DNA data at any time.
Cost
MyHeritage DNA Traits is an add-on product for MyHeritage DNA customers. New MyHeritage DNA customers can purchase Traits once their DNA kit is activated. Traits is available for the highly affordable introductory price of $19. This one-time fee grants you access to 40 Trait reports for a single DNA kit on MyHeritage. You can purchase a Traits add-on for any DNA kit that you manage; each add-on should be purchased separately.
MyHeritage will periodically release new Trait reports, with more than 15 exciting reports already planned. A Traits subscription is available to access new reports as they are released, for all DNA kits that you manage. For a limited time, we’re offering the Traits subscription (a $99 value) for FREE for the first 12 months.
FAQ
What are Trait reports and why are they useful?
Trait reports reveal how your genetics influence your personality and characteristics, from taste preferences and sleep patterns to exercise response and more. They don’t provide medical or diagnostic information. They offer a fascinating glimpse into many characteristics that make you unique.
How do you calculate the Trait reports?
Trait reports are calculated by analyzing your raw DNA data. We look for specific genetic markers that research has identified as being linked to certain traits. This information is used to determine your genetic likelihood for each trait and generate a personalized report.
The analysis is based on findings from scientific literature and genetic studies. The strength of the scientific evidence for each trait varies. Each report includes a Quality of Evidence Score, ranging from 1 to 5, that indicates how strongly the scientific research supports that trait.
How can I receive Trait reports?
If you have DNA results on MyHeritage, access Traits from the DNA menu and follow the steps described above to get Trait reports. If you’ve recently purchased a MyHeritage DNA kit, you’ll be able to purchase the Traits add-on once you’ve activated your kit.
Once you complete your purchase and give consent, your reports are generated. No new sample or DNA kit is needed. Your reports are generated using your existing DNA data, and you’ll be notified by email as soon as they’re ready.
Can I download and share my Trait reports?
Not just yet, but this is on our roadmap. We’ll share an update in another blog post once download and sharing are available.
How are Trait reports different from Health reports?
Health reports focus on your genetic risk and predisposition to medical conditions, while Trait reports focus on non-medical characteristics.
Trait reports are non-diagnostic and intended for self-exploration and entertainment only. They should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice or to make any health-related decisions.
I previously uploaded my DNA data to MyHeritage from another service. Can I still get Trait reports?
Yes. If you’ve previously uploaded your DNA from Ancestry, 23andMe, or FamilyTreeDNA, you can upgrade to receive Trait reports based on your existing DNA data.
Can I upload raw DNA data from another service to get Trait reports?
No. As of mid-May 2025, DNA uploads are no longer supported. To get Trait reports, you can purchase a MyHeritage DNA kit at an affordable price, and once your kit is activated, purchase the Traits add-on.
I manage multiple DNA kits on MyHeritage. Do I need to pay separately to receive Trait reports for each kit?
Yes. To unlock Trait reports, a separate one-time fee is required for each kit.
How long does it take to get results?
Once you complete your purchase and give your consent, we’ll start generating your results. It can take up to 24 hours to generate your Trait reports, but they are usually ready much sooner.
How much do my genes actually influence my traits?
Genetics plays a role in shaping many human traits — it’s part of what makes you unique. However, most traits are complex and influenced by a variety of factors beyond genetics, including your environment, lifestyle, and others.
For some traits, especially those related to physical attributes and appearance, the influence of genetics is considerable, while for others it can be minor. Trait reports are a fun way to discover more about yourself. They’re a window into how your DNA might shape your preferences and tendencies, rather than a definitive blueprint for who you are.
Summary
MyHeritage DNA Traits adds a fascinating new dimension to your DNA results, offering a fun way to explore the characteristics and preferences that make you who you are. Get MyHeritage DNA Traits today and see what you’ll discover!
