Volcano Plot Generator: Plot Genomic Results in Seconds, Free & Online

Use this free volcano plot generator in your browser. No sign-up, no download and no upload: everything runs on your own device, so your data stays private.

What this tool does

A volcano plot is the standard first look at differential expression results. The horizontal axis shows how much a gene changes, and the vertical axis shows how strong the evidence is, so the interesting genes sit high and far from the centre. Genes that pass both cutoffs are coloured, which lets you spot candidates and check whether the up and down sides look balanced.

How to use it

Paste or type your gene rows (name, log2FC, p-value) in the box above.
Adjust any settings, such as cutoffs, scales or styles, to match your data.
Click the run button and read the output below the tool.
Check the summary numbers before you copy anything into a document.
Copy the output, code or image into your figure, slide or report.

Worked example

Paste TP53 at log2FC 2.4 and p 0.0001, plus GAPDH at 0.1 and p 0.82. With cutoffs of 1 and 0.05, TP53 is coloured red as significant while GAPDH stays grey near the centre. Lower the p cutoff to 0.001 and only the strongest hits remain coloured.

Tips for better results

Paste adjusted p-values when you have them, and note the cutoff in the figure legend.

Honest limits

The tool plots the values you give it; it does not compute fold changes or p-values, and it does not adjust for multiple testing. Use adjusted p-values if your analysis requires them.

Choosing the right settings

Start with the default values. They are chosen to show a sensible result at once, so you can see the layout before you touch your own data. Then change one setting at a time. Changing one thing at a time is the fastest way to learn what each control does, and it stops two changes from cancelling each other out. If the output looks wrong, check the input format first: a missing comma, a swapped column or a stray space causes most errors, and the tool reports what it received in its summary line.

Using the result in a figure

For a figure, keep the output simple. One message per figure, short labels, and a caption that states the method and the settings you used will serve readers better than a dense, decorated chart. If a journal or supervisor will see the result, note the tool name, the input values and any cutoff in your methods or caption, so the figure can be reproduced later. That habit also helps you: six months from now, the caption is the only record of how the figure was made.

Common questions

Do I need an account? No. The volcano plot generator runs entirely in your browser with no sign-up and no saved data.

Is my data uploaded anywhere? No. Your gene rows (name, log2FC, p-value) stays on your device, which is why the tool is safe for unpublished work.

Can I use the output in a paper or presentation? Yes. The output is yours to reuse; just check it visually once, note the settings in your caption, and credit the method, not the tool, in your references.

What if the result looks wrong? Check the input format first, then change one setting at a time. Most errors come from a missing comma, a swapped column, or a value outside the expected range, and the summary line under the tool shows what it actually received.

Try the volcano plot generator above with the sample data, then with your own. It is free, it needs no account, and it works in any modern browser.

When you reuse the result, keep a short record of the inputs and settings you used. A one-line note in your project file, such as the data pasted, the cutoff chosen and the date, is enough to reproduce the figure later. If a collaborator questions a number, that note lets you rebuild the exact output in seconds instead of guessing what changed.

Embed this tool on your website — free

Copy the code below to add this working tool to your own page. A small credit link stays with it — that’s all we ask.