diff --git a/igv.properties b/igv.properties
index 970cb82..c7d83eb 100644
--- a/igv.properties
+++ b/igv.properties
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ SAM.SHOW_SOFT_CLIPPED=true
 SAM.SHOW_JUNCTION_TRACK=false
 IGV.Bounds=0,0,1280,1680
 SAM.COLOR_BY=READ_STRAND
+SAM.COLOR_BY_TAG=XT
 IGV.Frame.ExtendedState=0
 SHOW_SEQUENCE_TRANSLATION=false
 SAM.DOWNSAMPLE_READS=true
diff --git a/public/viper/pages/inspector/inspector.html b/public/viper/pages/inspector/inspector.html
index 3000a0f..cda6a0d 100644
--- a/public/viper/pages/inspector/inspector.html
+++ b/public/viper/pages/inspector/inspector.html
@@ -98,6 +98,17 @@ <h4>Visualization settings</h4>
             <option value="UNEXPECTED_PAIR">insert size and pair orientation</option>
             <option value="FIRST_OF_PAIR_STRAND">first-of-pair strand</option>
             <option value="READ_GROUP">read group</option>
+            <option value="TAG">tag</option>
+          </select>
+        </div>
+        <div ng-if="inspectorCtrl.configuration['SAM.COLOR_BY'] == 'TAG'" class="form-group" ng-class="{ 'has-error': inspectorCtrl.configuration['SAM.COLOR_BY_TAG'] == null}">
+          <label>Color reads by tag:</label>
+          <input
+            type="text"
+            class="form-control"
+            ng-pattern="/^[A-Za-z][A-Za-z0-9]$/"
+            ng-model="inspectorCtrl.configuration['SAM.COLOR_BY_TAG']"
+            ng-change="inspectorCtrl.changeIGVSetting('SAM.COLOR_BY_TAG')">
           </select>
         </div>
         <div class="form-group">