All about WIG Files

The WIG file type is primarily associated with UCSC Genome Browser.

WIG	File extension: WIG
	File type:	text data file

What is a WIG file

WIG files mostly belong to UCSC Genome Browser. WIG files are mostly used for storing genomic track data. They use a simple text format to list continuous numeric values across genomic coordinates, which helps display data such as gene expression or DNA coverage in genome browsers like the UCSC Genome Browser and IGV.

Genomic Track Data: They store measurements along the genome in a format known as the wiggle track. This format can include fixed or variable steps to better represent continuous data.

Compressed Previews: In some cases, WIG files are stored as ZIP archives. These versions might contain compressed preview images for rapid review.

For more details on the genomics usage, visit UCSC Genome Browser.
FilExt.com tip: If your file does not display as expected, check if it is compressed. Sometimes unzipping the file helps to reveal its textual content, which specialized genome browsers require for proper visualization.

How do you open WIG files?

You need a suitable software like UCSC Genome Browser to open a WIG file. Without proper software you will receive a Windows message "How do you want to open this file?" or "Windows cannot open this file" or a similar Mac/iPhone/Android alert. If you cannot open your WIG file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a WIG file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.

Online WIG Text Viewer

Choose your .wig file to analyze

or drag and drop it here

Online File Viewer

✈

Read our privacy guarantee in Filext’s terms and privacy policy

Please allow ads on our site

This helps us keep our servers running. Then re-upload your file to view it.

Click here to see how to disable the ad blocker for filext.com

Programs that open and convert WIG files:

UCSC Genome Browser
See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. WIG files are often referred to as UCSC Genome Browser data files because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
Wigmore Artist 64
The WIG file format stores raster drawings created in Wigmore Artist 64. Wigmore Artist 64 is a drawing software that was released for the Commodore 64 computer in 1986.WIG files can be opened using RECOIL (Retro Computer Image Library), which is an image viewer for image formats from classic computers.

Technical Data for WIG File Extension

File classification:

Data

Related files:

bed, gff, vcf, fasta, bigwig, bam, bai, gz, tar, zip, cg4, openelement, 3r

a wig text data file is a special file format and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with WIG files

Associate the WIG file extension with the correct application.
Update your software that should actually open text data files. Because only the current version supports the latest WIG file format. Search, therefore, e.g. on the manufacturer website after an available UCSC Genome Browser update.
To make sure that your WIG file is not corrupted or virus-infected, get the file again and scan it with Google's virustotal.com.
Click here to open your .WIG file online - secure, fast, and no downloads needed.