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DNA / Oligo Molecular Weight Calculator

Compute molecular weight of a DNA, dsDNA, or RNA sequence from base composition, with length, GC%, and nmol↔µg conversion.

About this tool

The DNA / Oligo Molecular Weight Calculator is a free, in-browser tool that estimates the molecular weight of a nucleic-acid sequence from its base composition. Paste a DNA or RNA sequence, choose single-stranded DNA, double-stranded DNA, or RNA, and it returns the molecular weight in g/mol along with the length, GC content, and a nanomole-to-microgram conversion. Sequences are processed locally in your browser and never uploaded.

The weight is the sum of anhydrous nucleotide monophosphate masses minus a 61.96 g/mol correction for the removal of a phosphate at the 5′ end. DNA bases use dA 313.21, dT 304.2, dC 289.18, dG 329.21; RNA uses A 329.21, U 306.17, C 305.18, G 345.21. For double-stranded DNA the tool adds the weight of the complementary strand (A↔T, C↔G) so dsDNA ≈ 2× the single strand.

Amount conversions use µg = nmol × MW ÷ 1000, and the tool also reports µg per nmol (MW ÷ 1000). This gives an approximate MW suitable for ordering and resuspending oligos; it counts only A, T/U, G, and C, so ambiguity codes or modifications are not included.

Frequently asked questions

What weights are used for each base?
Anhydrous monophosphate masses: DNA dA 313.21, dT 304.2, dC 289.18, dG 329.21; RNA A 329.21, U 306.17, C 305.18, G 345.21 g/mol. The summed strand then has 61.96 subtracted for the 5′-phosphate correction.
How is double-stranded DNA handled?
The complementary strand is generated by base-pairing (A↔T, C↔G) and its weight is added to the sense strand, so dsDNA molecular weight is roughly twice a single strand of the same length.
How do I convert between nmol and µg?
Mass in micrograms is µg = nmol × MW ÷ 1000, and the calculator also shows µg per nmol, which equals MW ÷ 1000. Enter the amount in nanomoles to see the corresponding mass.
Is this an exact molecular weight?
It is a close approximation using standard base masses and the common 61.96 phosphate correction, ideal for oligos and primers. It ignores chemical modifications, ambiguity codes, and end chemistries, and only counts A, T/U, G, and C.

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