Opening a CRAI File

The CRAI file type is primarily associated with HTSlib.

CRAI	File extension: CRAI
	File type:	CRAM indexing

What is a CRAI file

CRAI files mostly belong to HTSlib. A CRAI file is a CRAM index file used by HTSlib, a C library for high-throughput sequencing data formats. It contains an index of a CRAM file, enabling random access to the sequence data within the CRAM file. The CRAI index is essential for efficient querying and retrieval of specific reads or regions from the large datasets typically stored in CRAM format. The index itself is compressed using GZIP to reduce storage space.

How to open CRAI files

You need a suitable software like HTSlib to open a CRAI file. You need a suitable software like HTSlib to open a CRAI 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 CRAI file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a CRAI file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.

Online CRAI Text Viewer

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Unable to Open a .CRAI File? Quick Solutions:

Since .CRAI files come from specialized programs, they aren't universally openable.

Identify the Source: If received from a geneticist or bioinformatics pipeline, it is likely a CRAM Index file used for DNA sequence alignments.
Check the Header: Inspect the first bytes in a hex viewer:
- 1F 8B: Indicates a GZIP-compressed file, standard for HTSlib CRAM indexes.
- Readable numbers: Suggests an uncompressed, tab-delimited index format.
Use the Original Software: You usually need the original tool to utilize this file. Try opening it alongside its corresponding .cram file using SAMtools, HTSlib, or Integrative Genomics Viewer (IGV), or ask the sender for guidance.
Use this Webpage: Drag and drop your file into our viewer to detect its format, extract metadata, and preview readable text.

Technical Data for CRAI File Extension

File classification:

Bioinformatics

Related files:

cram, gz, tbi

a crai CRAM indexing is a special file format and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with CRAI files

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