What does "once removed" mean?
"Removed" tells you how many generations apart two cousins are. Once removed means one generation apart; twice removed means two.
Preset to this relationship. Change the steps to compare with neighbouring relationships.
They are your
first cousin once removed
Common ancestors: your grandparents. Expected shared DNA: 6.25%
Shorter branch = 2 steps → 2 − 1 = 1 → first cousin. Branches differ by 1 → once removed.
Cousin names have two parts. The number (first, second, third) tells you how far back the shared ancestor is: first cousins share grandparents, second cousins share great-grandparents, third cousins share great-great-grandparents.
To name a relationship, count each person's generations down from the shared ancestor. Take the smaller count and subtract one: that is the cousin number. The difference between the two counts is the number of times removed.
So a grandparent's first cousin (four steps down one side, two on the other) is your first cousin twice removed.
To check a real pair of relatives, add them to the family tree maker and use How related?, or look them up on the cousin chart.
Questions
What is a cousin twice removed?
A cousin two generations away from you, such as your grandparent's first cousin or your first cousin's grandchild.
Can someone be removed and the same age as me?
Yes. Removal counts generations, not years, so large families often have "removed" cousins the same age.
Is once removed older or younger?
Either. The term does not say which side is older.