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Kendraw
An open-source browser application for drawing chemical structures and reactions, calculating molecular properties, and predicting NMR spectra.
Open source. 49 of 65 checklist features confirmed.
Main canvas
Dark interface retains white canvas; bonds appear pale.
Default drawings
Caffeine
Paclitaxel
Cholesterol in 3D
- About reports Ketcher 3.12.0; no Kendraw version was displayed.
- Default bonds and carbon labels appear very pale against the white canvas.
- For caffeine, Ketcher calculates C8H10N4O2 and 194.194; the panel reports C8N4O2 and 184.114.
- The panel's caffeine SMILES and InChI differ from Ketcher's aromatic structure.
- The SMILES 3D view was flat; the supplied SDF displayed three-dimensional coordinates.
- Kendraw version 0.1.0 appears in its SVG metadata and hosted About component source.
Facts
- GitHub stars
- 8 stars on 6 Nov 2026
- First commit
- 11 Apr 2026
- Repository activity
- 256 commits, 1 contributor, last push 29 Jun 2026
- Version we tested
- 0.1.0
- Runs on
- Browser
- License
- MIT-licensed application; embedded Ketcher and Indigo use Apache-2.0.
- Price
- Free
- Relies on
- Ketcher, Indigo, RDKit. Hosted builds embed unmodified Ketcher; source builds can use the original canvas.
- Draws with
- SVG through Ketcher/Raphael; Indigo generates PNG and SVG exports.
- Chemistry from
- Indigo WebAssembly in Ketcher; RDKit and Indigo in the Python backend
- Interface
- React
- Main language
- TypeScript
- Other languages
- Python: RDKit backend and additive NMR prediction; C++: Native and WebAssembly chemistry engines; JavaScript: Raphaël graphics and Miew 3D viewer
- Renderer
- Borrowed: Ketcher 3.12.0 SVG renderer on Raphaël; Indigo generated images
- Third-party licenses
- Ketcher is Apache-2.0; its upstream NOTICE also lists LGPL-2.1/MPL-1.0/AFL-3.0 dependencies. NMR tables cite NMRShiftDB2 (database share-alike and OSI-license condition) and SDBS (commercial use requires permission); the project's CC-BY/free-access descriptions need clarification.
- Docker enables Ketcher despite README opt-in wording; older feature audits describe the legacy editor.
- Ketcher mode lacks autosave and bidirectional NMR highlighting available in the legacy editor.
- PDF export rasterizes drawings; SVG preserves vector output.
In use
Screenshots from our test of this version.
Single, double and triple bonds
Single, double and triple bonds on the drawing canvas.
Wedge, hash and wavy bonds
Wedge, hashed and wavy bonds on the drawing canvas.
Ring tools
Benzene and cyclohexane rings on the canvas.
Template library
Structure Library showing bicyclic templates.
Save your own templates
Save Structure dialog with Save to Templates button.
Reaction arrows
Equilibrium arrow on the drawing canvas.
Curved mechanism arrows
Curved arrow on the drawing canvas.
Journal drawing styles
Settings dialog with Set ACS Settings button.
Structure checking
Settings dialog with valence warnings enabled.
Formula and mass
Calculated Values dialog showing molecular weight and exact mass.
Property estimates
Structure beside the properties panel with logP and tPSA.
3D model view
Molecular model in the Miew viewer.
MOL and SDF
Save Structure format menu listing MDL Molfile and SDF.
Features
- Tested by running it
- Seen in the app
- The manual says yes
- Partly, with the reason shown
- Not supported
- Not established, which is not the same as no
Select a mark for its proof. A filled mark opens our screenshot, or the manual if the check left nothing to picture. A ring opens the manual.
Drawing structures
- Yes, tested by running it: Drew single, double and triple bonds; MOL confirms orders. Opens the screenshot.Single, double and triple bondsDrew single, double and triple bonds; MOL confirms orders.github.com
- Yes, tested by running it: Drew wedge, hashed and wavy bonds; MOL confirms types. Opens the screenshot.Wedge, hash and wavy bondsDrew wedge, hashed and wavy bonds; MOL confirms types.github.com
- Yes, according to the manual: Dative and hydrogen bond tools. Opens the cited page.Dative, hydrogen and quadruple bondsDative and hydrogen bond tools.github.com
- Not establishedChoose double-bond side
- Yes, tested by running it: Placed benzene and cyclohexane from ring toolbar. Opens the screenshot.Ring toolsPlaced benzene and cyclohexane from ring toolbar.github.com
- Yes, according to the manual: Built-in cyclohexane chair templates. Opens the cited page.Chair and Haworth ringsBuilt-in cyclohexane chair templates.github.com
- Yes, according to the manual: Drag distance determines carbon chain length. Opens the cited page.Chain toolDrag distance determines carbon chain length.github.com
- Yes, tested by running it: Inserted bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane from structure library. Opens the screenshot.Template libraryInserted bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane from structure library.github.com
- Yes, according to the manual: Save drawings into the reusable User Templates library. Opens the cited page.Save your own templatesSave drawings into the reusable User Templates library.github.com
- Yes, according to the manual: Functional groups retain chemistry and support expansion. Opens the cited page.Group abbreviationsFunctional groups retain chemistry and support expansion.github.com
- Yes, according to the manual: Atom properties include labels, charges and isotope masses. Opens the cited page.Charges, isotopes and atom labelsAtom properties include labels, charges and isotope masses.github.com
- Yes, according to the manual: Monoradical and singlet/triplet diradical atom properties. Opens the cited page.Radicals and lone pairsMonoradical and singlet/triplet diradical atom properties.github.com
- Yes, according to the manual: Keyboard atom tools modify hovered atoms. Opens the cited page.Keyboard drawingKeyboard atom tools modify hovered atoms.github.com
- Partly: Lasso, rotation and flipping; structure resizing unverified. Opens the cited page.Lasso select and transformsLasso, rotation and flipping; structure resizing unverified.github.com
- Not establishedTilt drawings in perspective
Reactions and mechanisms
- Yes, tested by running it: Drew equilibrium arrow; forward and retrosynthetic tools are visible. Opens the screenshot.Reaction arrowsDrew equilibrium arrow; forward and retrosynthetic tools are visible.github.com
- Yes, tested by running it: Drew an elliptical arc with a half arrowhead. Opens the screenshot.Curved mechanism arrowsDrew an elliptical arc with a half arrowhead.github.com
- Yes, according to the manual: Ketcher represents reactions and exports RXN. Opens the cited page.Machine-readable reactionsKetcher represents reactions and exports RXN.github.com
- Yes, according to the manual: Manual and automatic reaction mapping in Ketcher. Opens the cited page.Atom mappingManual and automatic reaction mapping in Ketcher.github.com
- Yes, according to the manual: Symbol palette includes reaction arrows, Greek letters, temperatures and Ångström. Opens the cited page.Orbitals and symbolsSymbol palette includes reaction arrows, Greek letters, temperatures and Ångström.github.com
Figures and layout
- Yes, according to the manual: Free text supports font settings, superscript and subscript. Opens the cited page.Rich text captionsFree text supports font settings, superscript and subscript.github.com
- Yes, according to the manual: Ellipses, rectangles, lines and chemical S-group brackets. Opens the cited page.Shapes, brackets and curvesEllipses, rectangles, lines and chemical S-group brackets.github.com
- Not establishedAlign and distribute
- Yes, according to the manual: Chemical S-groups move together; Remove Abbreviation separates their atoms. Opens the cited page.Group and ungroupChemical S-groups move together; Remove Abbreviation separates their atoms.github.com
- Yes, according to the manual: Clean Up regularizes bond lengths and angles. Opens the cited page.2D structure cleanupClean Up regularizes bond lengths and angles.github.com
- Yes, according to the manual: Built-in ACS style settings. Opens the cited page.Journal drawing stylesBuilt-in ACS style settings.github.com
- Yes, according to the manual: Bond and font settings can be saved and reloaded. Opens the cited page.Reusable custom stylesBond and font settings can be saved and reloaded.github.com
- Partly: Individual atom/bond highlights; direct recoloring unverified. Opens the cited page.Color controlIndividual atom/bond highlights; direct recoloring unverified.github.com
- Yes, according to the manual: Ketcher mode provides eight-color backgrounds on individual atoms and bonds. Opens the cited page.Color highlightingKetcher mode provides eight-color backgrounds on individual atoms and bonds.github.com
- No: Multipage documents are explicitly deferred. Opens the cited page.Page layout and multipageMultipage documents are explicitly deferred.github.com
- Yes, according to the manual: Add Image places PNG and SVG pictures. Opens the cited page.Imported picturesAdd Image places PNG and SVG pictures.github.com
- Not establishedTLC plates and tables
Chemistry intelligence
- Yes, according to the manual: Invalid valence is underlined; structure checking is available. Opens the cited page.Structure checkingInvalid valence is underlined; structure checking is available.github.com
- Yes, according to the manual: Ketcher computes R/S, r/s and E/Z descriptors. Opens the cited page.R/S and E/Z labelsKetcher computes R/S, r/s and E/Z descriptors.github.com
- Partly: Ketcher calculates caffeine correctly; surrounding panel reports incorrect values. Opens the screenshot.Formula and massKetcher calculates caffeine correctly; surrounding panel reports incorrect values.github.com
- Partly: Panel computes logP and tPSA, but caffeine identifiers are incorrect. Opens the screenshot.Property estimatesPanel computes logP and tPSA, but caffeine identifiers are incorrect.github.com
- Partly: PubChem name lookup; Ketcher insertion is not wired. Opens the cited page.Name to structurePubChem name lookup; Ketcher insertion is not wired.github.com
- No: Naming service is an unimplemented placeholder. Opens the cited page.Structure to nameNaming service is an unimplemented placeholder.github.com
- Yes, according to the manual: Built-in additive ¹H/¹³C predictions; backend required. Opens the cited page.NMR predictionBuilt-in additive ¹H/¹³C predictions; backend required.github.com
- Yes, according to the manual: R-groups, attachment points and query atoms. Opens the cited page.R-groups and query structuresR-groups, attachment points and query atoms.github.com
- Yes, according to the manual: Structural repeating units include polymer connectivity semantics. Opens the cited page.Polymers and repeat unitsStructural repeating units include polymer connectivity semantics.github.com
- Yes, according to the manual: Peptide, RNA/DNA, sequence and HELM tools. Opens the cited page.Peptides and nucleic acidsPeptide, RNA/DNA, sequence and HELM tools.github.com
- No: Image recognition explicitly unsupported in bundled standalone mode. Opens the cited page.Image to structureImage recognition explicitly unsupported in bundled standalone mode.github.com
- Partly: PubChem fetching works; Ketcher insertion is not wired. Opens the cited page.Online structure lookupPubChem fetching works; Ketcher insertion is not wired.github.com
- Yes, tested by running it: SDF coordinates displayed and rotated in Miew viewer. Opens the screenshot.3D model viewSDF coordinates displayed and rotated in Miew viewer.github.com
- Not establishedCrystal structures
Files and exchange
- Partly: Exported and reopened CDXML; chemical round-trip fidelity remains unverified. Opens the cited page.CDXML import and exportExported and reopened CDXML; chemical round-trip fidelity remains unverified.github.com
- Yes, according to the manual: Binary and base64 CDX via Ketcher's Open/Save. Opens the cited page.CDX import and exportBinary and base64 CDX via Ketcher's Open/Save.github.com
- Yes, tested by running it: Opened MOL and SDF; exported MOL. Opens the screenshot.MOL and SDFOpened MOL and SDF; exported MOL.github.com
- Yes, tested by running it: Imported SMILES and exported Daylight SMILES through Ketcher. Opens the cited page.SMILESImported SMILES and exported Daylight SMILES through Ketcher.github.com
- Yes, according to the manual: InChI import and export. Opens the cited page.InChIInChI import and export.github.com
- Yes, according to the manual: Ketcher reads and writes RXN V2000/V3000. Opens the cited page.RXN filesKetcher reads and writes RXN V2000/V3000.github.com
- Yes, tested by running it: Ketcher saved vector SVG for both 2D fixtures. Opens the cited page.SVG exportKetcher saved vector SVG for both 2D fixtures.github.com
- Partly: PDF export embeds a raster image, not vector drawing. Opens the cited page.PDF exportPDF export embeds a raster image, not vector drawing.github.com
- Partly: PNG saved; default Ketcher export measured 223 by 162 pixels. Opens the cited page.High-resolution PNGPNG saved; default Ketcher export measured 223 by 162 pixels.github.com
- Partly: MOL text exchange; native ChemDraw clipboard pasting unsupported. Opens the cited page.Paste to and from ChemDrawMOL text exchange; native ChemDraw clipboard pasting unsupported.github.com
- No: Editable Office embedding is explicitly absent. Opens the cited page.Editable in Word or PowerPointEditable Office embedding is explicitly absent.github.com
- Not establishedWindows Office OLE
APIs and automation
- No: REST backend exists; native scripting SDK is explicitly absent. Opens the cited page.Python APIREST backend exists; native scripting SDK is explicitly absent.github.com
- Yes, according to the manual: TypeScript client drives conversion, properties and NMR services. Opens the cited page.JavaScript or TypeScript APITypeScript client drives conversion, properties and NMR services.github.com
- No: Headless conversion and batch CLI are listed as missing. Opens the cited page.Command-line toolHeadless conversion and batch CLI are listed as missing.github.com
- Not establishedAI agent control
- No: LLM assistant is explicitly outside current scope. Opens the cited page.Built-in AI assistantLLM assistant is explicitly outside current scope.github.com
Embedding and extension
- No: Plugin system is explicitly listed as missing. Opens the cited page.PluginsPlugin system is explicitly listed as missing.github.com
- No: No supported embedding route; Docker explicitly denies framing. Opens the cited page.Embed in your own appNo supported embedding route; Docker explicitly denies framing.github.com