Boneyard Tools

DNA to mRNA Converter

Paste a DNA sequence to transcribe it into messenger RNA. Choose whether you entered the coding or template strand, and the tool returns the mRNA plus the complementary DNA strand.

How to transcribe DNA to mRNA

  1. Paste a DNA sequence using only the bases A, C, G and T.
  2. Choose coding strand (T becomes U) or template strand (complement, then T becomes U).
  3. Read the transcribed mRNA and the complementary DNA strand.

Examples

Coding strand

ATGC (coding)
AUGC

Template strand

TACG (template)
AUGC

Frequently asked questions

What is transcription?

Transcription is the process that copies a DNA sequence into messenger RNA. RNA uses uracil (U) in place of thymine (T), so every T becomes a U.

What is the difference between the coding and template strand?

The coding strand reads the same as the mRNA except T becomes U. The template strand is the complement that the cell actually reads, so the tool complements it first.

Why does mRNA use U instead of T?

RNA is built from uracil rather than thymine. During transcription each thymine in the coding sequence is represented by uracil in the mRNA.

What bases are allowed?

Only the four DNA bases A, C, G and T, in any case. The tool reports any invalid characters so you can fix the sequence.

Does this translate mRNA into protein?

No. This tool stops at the mRNA. To turn codons into amino acids, use the codon translator tool, which reads the mRNA in triplets.

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