Fifth cousin 4 times removed
A fifth cousin 4 times removed is a relative of your own generation line, and the word works both ways: you are their fifth cousin 4 times removed too.
The route
Red line: from you (6 steps up) and 10 steps down. Gold: the shared ancestor.
How to count it
Go up from you to the nearest ancestor you share with the other person. That takes 6 steps for you and 10 for them.
The smaller of the two, minus one, gives the degree: 5th cousin. The two numbers differ by 4, so the cousins are 4 times removed.
Cousin counting is the standard genealogical convention. Different families and legal systems sometimes use looser words, so check the naming conventions guide if a relative uses a different term.
Facts at a glance
| Term | fifth cousin 4 times removed |
|---|---|
| Reciprocal | fifth cousin 4 times removed |
| Steps up (a, b) | 6, 10 |
| Cousin degree | 5th |
| Removal | 4 |
| Civil-law degree | 16 |
| Canon-law degree | 10 |
| Average DNA shared (full) | 0.0031% |
| Average DNA shared (half) | 0.0015% |
Full and half
The figures above assume full relatives, who share a couple as common ancestors. If the link runs through just one person, because of a remarriage or a different other parent, the relationship is a half relationship. It is usually written half fifth cousin 4 times removed, and the average shared DNA falls to 0.0015%. See full and half relatives.
The DNA numbers are theoretical averages. Real amounts vary a lot from one pair to the next, especially for distant cousins, so read the DNA guide before comparing against a test.
Check your own relationship in the calculator, or see where this term sits on the chart.