What is a SEQ file?
The .SEQ file extension is a highly overloaded format. The most common use is for DNA nucleotide sequence data, which stores biological sequence information. These text-based files often follow the FASTA standard used in bioinformatics. However, .SEQ also stands for digital video sequences (such as those recorded by Norpix StreamPix), thermal image sequences captured by FLIR cameras, key-value data sequences in Apache Hadoop, automated test sequences in NI TestStand, or a PowerTracks Pro Audio Project File created by PG Music.
How to open SEQ files?
Because .SEQ has multiple possible meanings, you must first determine what kind of data the file holds. For DNA sequences, software like 4Peaks, BioEdit, or CLC Genomics Workbench is appropriate. Simple DNA .SEQ files can also be opened in standard text editors. For video or thermal image sequences, you need proprietary software like StreamPix or FLIR Research Studio. Hadoop sequence files require the Hadoop command-line interface, while audio sequences need PowerTracks Pro Audio.
File Conversion
If you have a plain text DNA sequence, you can convert it to more standard bioinformatics formats like .FASTA or .TXT. We recommend using convert.guru to handle your file conversion to sensible target formats safely.
Best practices and troubleshooting
Since it is difficult to know exactly what a .SEQ file contains just by looking at the extension, viewer.online/seq can analyze .SEQ files to identify the exact format and creator software, inspect the file structure, extract readable text, and check whether an online preview is available.
Summary
viewer.online/seq is useful for identifying, inspecting, and understanding .SEQ files without installing software or dealing with compatibility problems.