Sequencing Project Basics

Coverage depth reflects how many times each base in a genome is sequenced. High coverage improves variant detection and assembly accuracy but increases cost. This tool approximates coverage for next-generation sequencing projects so researchers can budget for enough reads.

Coverage Equation

Coverage depends on total bases sequenced divided by genome size. With read length $L$ and number of reads $N$, we find total sequenced bases $B$ as $B=LN$. Coverage $C$ equals:

where $G$ is genome size in base pairs. Enter genome size in megabases to keep units manageable.

Interpreting Results

Typical resequencing projects aim for 30× coverage or more, while de novo assemblies might exceed 60×. Once you know your desired depth, adjust read count or length to reach that goal. This calculator provides a quick reference while designing experiments or assessing whether existing data is sufficient.