This article is to help with downloading the variant call format (VCF) file that's available for customers whose DNA was analyzed with next-generation sequencing (NGS). To download the standard version of your DNA Data, see Downloading DNA Data.
DNA Data (or machine-readable biometric data) is the data generated from your DNA sample in partner labs from AncestryDNA. This data is used to calculate your ancestral origins, match you to your genetic relatives, and predict your traits.
Customers whose DNA was analyzed with next-generation sequencing (NGS) have the option to download a variant call format (VCF) file that includes a large set of your NGS Data. This complex data set not only contains significantly more DNA data than the standard DNA Data file, but also contains complicated quality measures and is most useful for trained genetic researchers.
Here’s an example of what a VCF file looks like:
Provided as an example only; not intended to represent the VCF file and/or data fields available through Ancestry.
VCF files are text-only; ancestral origins, matches, and similar items from AncestryDNA are not included in the VCF file itself.
The VCF file available to download from Ancestry is a list of the tens of millions of DNA A, G, C, and T bases that were generated using NGS technology by our third party laboratory. This is significantly more than the hundreds of thousands of DNA bases available in the standard DNA download file.
Your DNA Data is for your personal use and is intended for genealogical research and general information only. It is not intended to be used for medical or health purposes, or for legal proceedings.
To download a VCF file, you must:
- be the DNA owner: Only the owner of a DNA test can download their VCF file.
- have DNA that was tested using next generation sequencing technology.
- have at least 350 MB space available on your device: The file size is very large because DNA sequencing produces a lot of information and data points.
The VCF file can be downloaded in a .vcf.gz format. They cannot be re-uploaded to Ancestry. Downloading your VCF file will not affect your ancestral origins, DNA matches, or future updates; nor does it include this information. Your results will continue to be available in your Ancestry account even after you download your VCF file.
To download your VCF file:
- Go to your DNA Settings page. If prompted, sign in to your account.
Or, from any Ancestry page, click your Profile (top right) > Account Settings > DNA (left side). - If you have access to multiple tests on your account, select a test.
- On your DNA settings page, scroll to the Actions section and click Download next to Download Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) Data.
- Enter your password, check the box, and click Download. If you’re an NGS customer and you don’t see this section, scroll back up to the top and click View test for [name]. Then, try this step again.
- Enter your password, check the box, and click Download. You'll get an email containing a link to the download. The downloaded file will not be in the email itself; in the email, you'll click a link that will bring you back to Ancestry.
- In the email, click Download DNA data. A download link can be used just once, and it will expire after one week. If your link has expired, start over at step 6.
- If prompted, sign in. On the Download DNA Data page on Ancestry, click Download DNA Data. If you’re brought to a page that contains a DNA ad rather than a sign in page, you may be in the wrong account; click the name or username in the top-right corner, sign out, then sign in to your account.
- The file will be downloaded to your computer. The file name will be dna-download-{date}.zip. If you can’t find it, check your Downloads folder or search for the file name (if you have a PC) by clicking the Windows key
on your keyboard and entering the file name in the search field that appears, or (if you have an Apple computer) by clicking the Spotlight icon
in the top-right corner of your screen and entering the file name in the search field. To open the file, double-click it.
Opening a VCF file
There are two files within the downloaded .zip file, the VCF file and a README.text file. The VCF file is formatted as a text file with millions of rows of information. Because the file is very large, we compress it prior to the download. The file you download is a .vcf.gz, a type of file compression, which can be extracted and opened to view as a text file on your computer, although special tools and expertise are typically required to do this. The uncompressed VCF file, is a very large file of around 3 GB and can crash many text editors. The following resource may be helpful.
Ancestry is not affiliated or associated with the support resource below.
Reading a VCF file
Typically, VCF files are interpreted by special software tools, but the following resource describing the VCF file format may be helpful.
Ancestry is not affiliated or associated with the support resource below.
There are three sections to a VCF file:
- Meta information: Lines beginning with two pound symbols (##).
- Header: Lines beginning with one pound symbol (#).
- Data lines: Any remaining lines.
Meta information
Information within the file about the file. For example, file format, file date, software used, and so forth.
Header
The table’s first row is called the header. The header, just like in other spreadsheets, is a section that serves as a “key” for what the data in each corresponding column means within the table.
Data lines
All rows, or data lines, following the header in the table describe specific DNA locations.
Most columns and rows provide information about the location of specific DNA sequences and information about the quality of the sequence. The “sample” column describes the person’s specific DNA sequence. Note that quality filter information is not provided in the VCF file available for download. The VCF file will require expert interpretation of the included metrics to assert the accuracy of sequence information. Any missing data is noted with a [.].
Security
Once you download your VCF file, your downloaded copy is no longer under the protection of our security measures and should not be used with third party databases. For more information, see our Terms and Conditions.
Frequently asked questions
What information does a VCF file have that my standard DNA Data download file does not?
The big difference is how much data each contains. The VCF file contains much more information about your DNA than does the DNA Data download file.
The instructions for making you are found in the over 3 billion bases in your DNA. Each base can come in one of four varieties: A, G, C and T.
The DNA Data download file can tell you about hundreds of thousands of your DNA bases, scattered across your DNA. The VCF file can tell you about tens of millions of bases of DNA. The DNA Data provided in the VCF file and in the standard DNA Data file do not always overlap completely.
Who would benefit from downloading this VCF file?
With the exception of trained genetic researchers, most people would find this data of limited utility. An example of someone who might find it useful would be a trained genetic researcher working on an unknown genetic condition.
It is also important to note that data outside of what AncestryDNA has reported on has not been validated for accuracy. For this and a variety of other reasons, we do not recommend using VCF file data with third party sites that offer to interpret the data. Only a trained expert can properly evaluate the information. It’s also important to keep in mind that DNA Data could include sensitive information about someone’s health or the health of family members with whom DNA is shared.
Troubleshooting
Download error
If you receive a download error message when trying to download your VCF file, clear your cache and cookies and make sure you have enough hard drive space (at least 350MB) available on your device for the downloaded file.
Didn’t get the DNA Data email
It can take up to 24 hours for the email to arrive. Make sure you’re checking the email address associated with your Ancestry account by clicking your name or username in the top-right corner of Ancestry and selecting Account Settings. The email address associated with your Ancestry account will be listed in the Account section. If you’re in the right email account, check your junk folder and add *ancestry.com to the safe senders list in your email account. If you still don’t receive the email, please contact us.
Can’t find the downloaded file
The file name will be dna-download-{date}.zip. If you can’t find it, check your Downloads folder or search for the file name (if you have a PC) by clicking the Windows key on your keyboard and entering the file name in the search field that appears, or (if you have an Apple computer) by clicking the Spotlight icon
in the top-right corner of your screen and entering the file name in the search field. To open the file, double-click it.