Shi (2009:3) and Saul (2005:25) suggest that Makury may be an Ao language.
The Makury dialects share 93% lexical similarity.
[2] Makury is not close to other Naga languages that fall under Konyak-[Tangshang] and Angami-Zeme.
In Eastern Nagaland and Myanmar, the Makury, Somra Tangkhul and Para are closer than the other tribes in the north in terms of language (Makury Tribal Council).
Makury shares 30%–37% lexical similarity with Long Phuri Naga, and 17%–19% with Para Naga[2] Hsiu (2021) classifies Makury as a sister of the Central Naga (Ao) languages.