Which strand is the coding strand?

The coding (sense) strand has the same sequence as the mRNA (with T for U) and is what gene records usually show 5′→3′. The template (antisense) strand is what RNA polymerase actually reads.

Does it translate to protein?

No — it stops at the RNA sequence. To translate, use the codon usage tool or the ORF finder, which apply the codon table.

DNA to RNA transcription calculator

Transcribe a DNA sequence to its mRNA. From the coding strand the mRNA just swaps T for U; from the template strand it is the reverse complement, then T→U.

How it works

Formula

From the coding strand, the mRNA is the same sequence with every T replaced by U. From the template strand, take the reverse complement first (the coding sequence), then replace T with U.

Worked example

Coding strand ATGGCATAG → AUGGCAUAG (just T→U). Template strand ATGC → its reverse complement GCAT → GCAU.

When to use it

To get the mRNA sequence for a gene when you have either strand — for designing probes, reading the message that will be translated, or feeding the RNA into a codon/translation step.

Sensible defaults

The default transcribes the coding strand ATGGCATAG to AUGGCAUAG. Switch to template strand if your sequence is the antisense strand.

FAQ

Which strand is the coding strand?: The coding (sense) strand has the same sequence as the mRNA (with T for U) and is what gene records usually show 5′→3′. The template (antisense) strand is what RNA polymerase actually reads.
Does it translate to protein?: No — it stops at the RNA sequence. To translate, use the codon usage tool or the ORF finder, which apply the codon table.