Genes are found on DNA inside chromosomes, which sit mainly in the nucleus of almost every cell in your body, with a smaller number also present in mitochondrial DNA in the cell’s mitochondria.

Quick Scoop: Where Are Genes Found?

1. Super–short answer

  • Genes live on DNA.
  • That DNA is packaged into chromosomes.
  • Chromosomes are mostly in the nucleus of your cells, with extra DNA (and genes) in mitochondria.

2. Zooming in: From body to gene

Think of your body as built from tiny units called cells.
Inside almost every cell, there is a control center called the nucleus that stores your main DNA. This DNA is organized into 23 pairs of chromosomes in humans, and each chromosome carries hundreds to thousands of genes.

So, practically speaking, genes are found in the nuclei of your cells , all over your body—skin, liver, brain, muscles, and more.

3. Inside the cell: exact locations

Within a typical human cell:

  • Nucleus
    • Contains most of the cell’s DNA.
    • DNA is packed into chromosomes.
    • Genes are stretches of this nuclear DNA that code for proteins or functional RNA.
  • Mitochondria (the cell’s “powerhouses”)
    • Have their own small circular chromosome.
    • This mitochondrial DNA holds a small set of genes (about 37 in humans) important for energy production.

So genes are found both in chromosomes in the nucleus and in mitochondrial DNA in the mitochondria.

4. A quick mental picture

Imagine a library inside every cell:

  • The library building = the cell.
  • The main archive room = the nucleus.
  • The shelves = chromosomes.
  • The books = DNA molecules.
  • The sentences in the books = genes.

There is also a smaller side-room (the mitochondria) with a tiny shelf of its own special instruction book, which also contains a few genes.

5. Fast FAQ

  • Are genes only in some cells?
    No. Almost all your cells have the same set of genes, though not all genes are “switched on” in every cell type.
  • Are genes floating freely?
    No. They are specific segments of DNA located at fixed positions on chromosomes, not loose inside the cell.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.