Last updated: April 21, 2026
How to Estimate Oligo Pool Cost Before Requesting Quotes
Use this page when you need a realistic budget before you send vendors a quote request. It walks through pool size, length tier, QC package, modifications, and hidden add-onsso you can estimate cost before the quote comes back.
Estimating synthesis array economics and scale advantages.
What Changes an Oligo Pool Quote?
Oligo pool pricing is typically not publicly listed — vendors provide project-specific quotes based on several factors. Understanding these factors helps you budget effectively and negotiate.
| Factor | Impact on Price | What to Know |
|---|---|---|
| Pool Size (# oligos) | Primary driver — larger pools = lower per-oligo cost | Most vendors tier by pool size (e.g., 2K, 10K, 100K+) |
| Oligo Length Tier | Longer oligos cost more per oligo | Twist tiers: 20-120nt, 121-150nt, 151-200nt, 201-250nt, 251-300nt |
| Modifications | Add-on costs for biotin, phospho, etc. | Biotin is most common (NGS capture probes) |
| QC Requirements | NGS QC may be included or add-on | Free with Twist and IDT; ask about Agilent HiFi |
| Turnaround | Rush options available at premium | Standard: 2-6 business days (not weeks!) |
| Cloning Services | Significant add-on for pre-cloned libraries | Twist Cloned Oligo Pools: 4-8 week turnaround |
Contact vendors directly for project-specific quotes. Pricing is not publicly listed by most providers.
Budget Benchmarks by Application
CRISPR Knockout (Genome-Wide)
Pool size: ~77K sgRNAs (Brunello)
Oligo length: 100-110 bp
Estimated cost: Contact vendor for quote
Recommended vendor: Twist or Agilent
Targeted Cancer NGS Panel (500 genes)
Pool size: 5K-20K probes
Oligo length: 120 bp
Estimated cost: Contact vendor for quote
Recommended vendor: Agilent or IDT
DMS Library (300 AA protein)
Pool size: 6K-8K variants
Oligo length: 150-200 bp
Estimated cost: Contact vendor for quote
Recommended vendor: Twist or IDT
Gene Assembly (5 kb gene)
Pool size: 30-50 fragments
Oligo length: 150-200 bp
Estimated cost: Part of larger pool order
Recommended vendor: Any
Which Extra Costs Should You Plan For?
| Add-On | Cost Range | When Needed | Included By |
|---|---|---|---|
| NGS QC Verification | Varies | All pools (verify quality) | Twist (included), IDT (included) |
| Biotin Modification | Add-on | Capture probes for NGS panels | None (always extra) |
| Sub-Pool Splitting | Add-on | Multiple experiments from one order | Twist (up to 100 sub-pools) |
| Rush Processing | Premium fee | Urgent timeline | Some vendors |
| Shipping (Lyophilized) | Varies | All orders | Varies by vendor |
| Cloning Service | Significant add-on | Pre-cloned CRISPR libraries | Twist Cloned Oligo Pools |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a CRISPR oligo pool cost?▾
Pricing varies by vendor, pool size, and oligo length tier. Contact Twist, Agilent, IDT, or GenScript directly for project-specific quotes. Per-oligo costs generally decrease significantly with larger pool sizes. Most vendors offer tiered pricing.
Is NGS QC included in the price?▾
Twist Bioscience and IDT oPools include NGS QC in the standard price. Agilent includes QC for HiFi pools. GenScript offers it as an option. Always confirm QC inclusions when requesting quotes.
Are there volume discounts for oligo pools?▾
Yes. All major vendors offer tiered pricing where per-oligo cost decreases with larger pool sizes. Some vendors also offer academic discounts. Contact vendors with your specific pool size for accurate quotes.
What hidden costs should I expect?▾
Budget for: biotin modification for capture probes (add-on), cloning service if needed (Twist offers Cloned Oligo Pools for 4-8 week turnaround), shipping/handling, and downstream reagents (PCR amplification, cloning, NGS verification).