Skip to main content
Calcimator

DNA/RNA Molecular Weight

Calculate the molecular weight of DNA or RNA from nucleotide count and type (dsDNA, ssDNA, ssRNA).

Inputs

Results

Molecular Weight

660,000 Da

Molecular Weight

660 kDa

Avg MW per Nucleotide660 Da
Extinction Coefficient6,600,000 M⁻¹cm⁻¹
µg per OD₂₆₀50 µg/mL
Nucleic Acid TypedsDNA
How to Use This Calculator
  1. Enter Nucleotide Count (bp or nt), Nucleic Acid Type, and dsDNA (660 Da/bp).
  2. Set ssDNA (330 Da/nt) and ssRNA (340 Da/nt).
  3. Review Molecular Weight (Da) and Molecular Weight (kDa).
  4. Use Avg MW per Nucleotide (Da) and Extinction Coefficient (M⁻¹cm⁻¹) to inform your decision.
  5. Use the chart to visualize the results and explore different scenarios by adjusting inputs.

How the result changes with Nucleotide Count (bp or nt)

Nucleotide Count (bp or nt)Molecular WeightMolecular Weight
1,000,001660,000,660 Da660,000.66 kDa
3,500,0012,310,000,660 Da2,310,000.66 kDa
6,500,0004,290,000,000 Da4,290,000 kDa
9,000,0005,940,000,000 Da5,940,000 kDa

What each input means

Nucleotide Count (bp or nt)
Number of base pairs (dsDNA) or nucleotides (ssDNA/ssRNA).
Nucleic Acid Type
Select dsDNA for double-stranded DNA, ssDNA for single-stranded DNA, or ssRNA for single-stranded RNA.

How this is calculated

Formula

MW = nucleotide count × average Da per nucleotide

Worked example, using the default values

  1. Identify Input Parameters
    Nucleotide Count (bp or nt) = 1000, Nucleic Acid Type = 1 = 2 input(s) provided
  2. Calculate Molecular Weight
    Molecular Weight
    660000 = 660000
  3. Calculate Molecular Weight
    Molecular Weight
    660 = 660
  4. Calculate Avg MW per Nucleotide
    660 = 660
  5. Calculate Extinction Coefficient
    6600000 = 6600000

Related Calculators

The questions that sit next to this one — chosen by subject, including calculators filed under a different category.

Biology

Protein Molecular Weight

Estimate protein molecular weight from amino acid count and post-translational modifications.

Biology

PCR Primer Calculator

Calculate melting temperature (Tm), GC content, and annealing temperature for PCR primers.

Genealogy & Family History

DNA Ethnicity Estimator

Estimate expected ethnicity percentages based on grandparent origins. Understand admixture and genetic heritage distribution.

Biology

Beer-Lambert Law Calculator

Calculate concentration from absorbance using the Beer-Lambert law (A = εlc). Also computes transmittance.

More in Science & Physics.