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Codon → Amino Acid Translator

Translate a DNA or RNA sequence into a protein using the standard genetic code, with reading frame, start codon and 1- or 3-letter output.

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About this tool

Enter a DNA or RNA sequence and this tool translates it into the corresponding protein using the standard genetic code. Any T is treated as U, and non-nucleotide characters are removed, so you can paste raw or formatted sequences. The work is done entirely in your browser.

Translation starts at reading frame 1, 2 or 3 (an offset of 0, 1 or 2 bases). The sequence is then read three bases at a time; each of the 64 codons maps to one amino acid or a stop signal (UAA, UAG, UGA). Optionally translation can begin at the first AUG start codon and it always halts at the first stop codon. A trailing group of one or two leftover bases is reported as an incomplete final codon.

The protein is shown in single-letter or three-letter code, whichever you choose, and is copyable. For example AUG UUU UAA translates to Met-Phe-Stop, i.e. the peptide MF followed by a stop at codon 3.

Frequently asked questions

What genetic code is used?
The standard (nuclear) genetic code, with 61 sense codons plus the three stop codons UAA, UAG and UGA. Alternative mitochondrial or bacterial codes are not applied.
What does the reading frame do?
Frame 1 starts at the first base, frame 2 skips one base and frame 3 skips two. Shifting the frame changes how the sequence is grouped into triplets and therefore the protein produced.
What is the 'start at first AUG' option?
When enabled, translation ignores everything before the first AUG codon in the chosen frame and begins there with methionine — useful for finding an open reading frame.
What happens to a leftover base at the end?
If the sequence length is not a multiple of three, the one or two trailing bases cannot form a codon; they are skipped and reported as an incomplete final codon.

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