FigTree Download & Setup Guide (Windows, Mac, Linux), 2026

FigTree v1.4.4 release is now eight years old, but it’s still widely used because it’s simple and fast. This guide covers the cleanest way to download and install FigTree in 2026, plus settings and fixes that will help you.

Official Download

The official source is Andrew Rambaut’s GitHub releases:

→ https://github.com/rambaut/figtree/releases

Currently, there’s a v1.5.0 beta (May release) - with some changes for modern Mac environments. Sticking to v1.4.4 should be fine unless it’s not working for you (then follow the same steps for a newer release).

FigTree is a Java application. You need a working Java Runtime (JRE or JDK) installed.

Installation

Windows

Download the latest FigTree executables from release page .
Extract the archive into a folder.
Make sure you have Java runtime installed .
Double-click the figtree.jar file inside lib folder.
The folder should contain two tree files - influenza.tree and carnivore.tree. Open the carnivore.tree from FigTree menu.

Mac

Download the latest release dmg file .
If you get the “app can’t be opened because it is from an unidentified developer” warning: Go to System Settings → Privacy & Security. Scroll down and click Open Anyway
Alternatively, run from Terminal:


Bashjava -jar FigTree*.jar

Linux

Download the tgz release file
Extract contents and try running it directly or click the jar executable.


./bin/figtree

If you get a Java version error, install a recent OpenJDK.


# Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt install openjdk-17-jre
 
# Fedora
sudo dnf install java-17-openjdk

First Look

figtree-screenshot-carnivore-tree

When you open a tree (Newick .tree, .nwk, or NEXUS), you’ll see the classic FigTree interface.

Recommended settings:

Tip Labels → Font size 10-12 for most trees
Node Labels → Show bootstrap / posterior probability values
Scale Bar → Turn on

Useful Features

Rooting the Tree

Midpoint root: Trees → Midpoint Root

Exporting High-Quality Figures

Best options:

SVG: Best for editing later in Inkscape/Illustrator PDF: Good for papers PNG

Go to File → Export PDF or Export SVG or Export Trees

Common Problems & Fixes

FigTree won’t open / “Java not found”

Install a recent Java (11 or 17 recommended)
On Windows, make sure java is in your PATH
Try running from terminal to see the exact error

Tree looks messy / labels overlapping

Reduce font size
Switch to Radial layout for large trees
Use Trees → Transform Branches → Proportional or Equal

Export looks low quality

Export to SVG or PDF when possible

Menu Text too tiny

Increase display scale from your OS settings.

Alternatives

Tool	Good for	Notes
iTOLOnline	online, interactive, annotations	good for sharing
ggtree	R users	customizable, steeper learning curve
ETE toolkit	Python users	if you already know Python
Dendroscope	very large trees	good alternative to figtree