All about SRA Files

The SRA file type is primarily associated with sra-tools.

SRA	File extension: SRA
	File type:	raw sequencing data file

What is an SRA file?

SRA files mostly belong to sra-tools. SRA files serve multiple roles. The primary use is to hold raw sequencing data in the Sequence Read Archive, managed with sra-tools from NCBI. Use the tool from this page for details on converting these files (for example, to FASTQ format) for analysis.
Other roles include:

Security risk assessment files generated by Java applications to evaluate system vulnerabilities.

Scrapbook files created with Scrapbook Factory Deluxe using a Microsoft Compound format to store mixed media notes.

Game save files such as Zelda 64 progress files, which may also serve as compressed Sega Saturn ROMs and work with emulators like Snes9x (Snes9x website).

FilExt.com notes: When handling an SRA file, first confirm its origin. If it holds biological sequencing data, use sra-tools to convert or view the data. For the other formats, use the corresponding proprietary application or check the file header using a hex editor.

How do you open SRA files?

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

Online SRA Text Viewer

Choose your .sra file to analyze

or drag and drop it here

Online File Viewer

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SRA format details:

A file format defines how the data in the file is structured. A file format is determined by the file extension and signature, so JPEG images have the extension .jpg and the first bytes in the file are ÿØÿ. However, different programs can use the same file extension. Furthermore, a file extension can be renamed incorrectly and double-clicking on it will then display an error when it is opened. If there are problems opening a file, you must first determine the file format used. Our evaluation of the SRA files looks like this:

SRA is rarely used as a file extension and is used by a few programs, each with its own file format. The following file formats are most commonly found in SRA files:

• 30% of all SRA files start with the bytes NCBI.sra, which are crucial for this file format. They consist of unreadable binary data. SRA files are between 19 MB and 1 GB in size. The file type was developed only in the last few years. The files contain the following words: NCBI.sra, SEQUENCE and lock.
• 25% of all SRA files internally utilize the Java file format. This format is used to save Java objects to a file (ex. save game state as file) via object serialization. Such a Java object may contain functions and data like settings, images or videos. The contents of these files are easily readable with a text editor. The file size is in the range of 230 KB to 300 KB. Certain words are almost always found in the files, such as Ljava/lang/String;L, Ljava/util/List;L, SRASerializedFileNamet, documentst, sra.tool.survey.AssessmentC, sectionst, currentActiveSectionIndexZ, saveSuccessfulL, Ljava/util/ArrayList, Ljava/util/ArrayList;L, currentActiveSectionIndexL and usersq. These files are attributed to assessment, risk and security.

The remaining 45% of all SRA files are files with no common format, frequently e.g. DOC and ADLE. Tagged as zelda, legend, ocarina, time, surf, config or family. Drag & drop your file here to see the file format and a preview of your SRA file!