Last Updated on June 25, 2026 by Dr. Bhagat
JOURNAL METRICS·Updated June 2026
Cell Impact Factor 2025 is 45.1 (Q1, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, SCIE). Published by Cell Press (Elsevier). Median first decision: ~7-10 days. Acceptance rate ~10-15%. Full JCR data, desk rejection analysis, and submission guide.
Cell is a premier peer-reviewed scientific journal published by Cell Press, an imprint of Elsevier. Launched in 1974, it publishes cutting-edge research across molecular biology, cell biology, and related biomedical fields. The journal is known for publishing paradigm-shifting discoveries that advance understanding of cellular mechanisms, disease pathophysiology, and therapeutic innovation.
Key Takeaways
- Impact Factor (2025): 45.1 — among the highest in life sciences
- JCR Quartile: Q1 in both Cell Biology and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
- Publisher: Cell Press (Elsevier)
- ISSN: 0092-8674 (print) / online ISSN varies by platform
- Frequency: Biweekly (26 issues per year)
- Open Access: Hybrid — subscription with OA option (APC ~$8,900)
- Acceptance Rate: Approximately 10-15%
OVERVIEWCell Journal Overview
Cell publishes original research articles, reviews, and perspectives that report novel findings of broad significance to the life sciences. The journal covers research spanning molecular and cell biology, developmental biology, neuroscience, immunology, cancer biology, microbiology, and plant biology. Each issue features work that opens new avenues of investigation or provides fundamental insights into biological systems.
IMPACT FACTORCell Impact Factor 2025
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| 2025 Impact Factor | 45.1 |
| JCR Quartile | Q1 (Cell Biology) |
| JCR Quartile | Q1 (Biochemistry & Molecular Biology) |
| 5-Year Impact Factor | ~48.3 |
| Total Citations | ~150,000+ |
With a 2025 impact factor of 45.1, Cell ranks among the most influential journals in the life sciences. Its consistent Q1 position in both Cell Biology and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology categories reflects the journal’s role in publishing transformative research that shapes scientific discourse and drives innovation across biomedical fields.
INDEXINGIndexing and Abstracting
Cell is indexed in all major bibliographic databases including Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE), MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, BIOSIS Previews, and Current Contents/Life Sciences. The journal’s broad indexing ensures comprehensive discoverability of published research across platforms used by the global scientific community.
SCOPUSScopus CiteScore
Cell’s CiteScore in Scopus is approximately 65.4, placing it in the 99th percentile across biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology journals. The journal’s Scopus metrics reflect strong citation velocity, with published articles receiving an average of 15-20 citations within the first two years.
SUBJECTSubject Areas
The journal publishes in all major areas of molecular and cellular biology, including but not limited to:
- Molecular Biology and Gene Regulation
- Cell Signaling and Signal Transduction
- Cell Cycle and Division
- Apoptosis and Cell Death
- Cancer Biology and Oncology
- Immunology and Immune Mechanisms
- Neuroscience and Neural Biology
- Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine
- Microbiology and Pathogenesis
- Developmental Biology
- Plant Molecular Biology
- Systems and Computational Biology
PUBLISHERPublisher Information
Cell is published by Cell Press, an imprint of Elsevier. Cell Press was founded in 1974 and publishes over 40 journals spanning the life, physical, and earth sciences. Cell Press journals are known for editorial excellence, rigorous peer review, and commitment to advancing scientific communication. The publisher maintains offices in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and London, UK.
CONTACTContact and Editorial Office
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Cell Press (Elsevier) |
| Headquarters | 50 Hampshire Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA |
| Editorial Office | cell@cell.com |
| Submission System | https://www.cell.com/cell/authors |
| Website | https://www.cell.com/cell/home |
OPEN ACCESSOpen Access Policy
Cell operates a hybrid open access model. Authors of accepted articles may choose to make their work immediately open access upon payment of an article processing charge (APC) of approximately $8,900 USD. Subscription articles become freely available 12 months after publication. Cell Press also participates in the Elsevier agreements with institutions and funding bodies to facilitate open access publishing.
GUIDELINESAuthor Guidelines
Cell accepts the following article types: Research Articles, Resource Articles, Articles of Special Significance, Short Articles, Reports, Clinical Reports, Previews, Reviews, Perspectives, and Letters. Manuscripts must be submitted through the Cell Press Editorial System. The journal requires that all studies include complete methods, data availability statements, and conflict of interest disclosures. Authors should consult the journal’s author guidelines page for specific formatting requirements.
METRICSAdditional Metrics and Rankings
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Impact Factor (2025) | 45.1 |
| JCR Ranking | Q1 (Cell Biology) |
| Scopus CiteScore | ~65.4 |
| Article Influence Score | ~24.7 |
| Acceptance Rate | ~10-15% |
| Time to First Decision | ~7-10 days |
| ISSN | 0092-8674 |
| Frequency | Biweekly |
| First Published | 1974 |
| Publisher | Cell Press (Elsevier) |
SUBMISSIONSubmission and Review Process
The review process at Cell is highly selective. Manuscripts undergo initial editorial screening, and approximately 60-70% are rejected without external peer review. Articles sent for review typically receive feedback from 3-4 expert referees. The journal emphasizes scientific rigor, novelty, and broad significance in its evaluation criteria. Authors receive a first decision within 7-10 days of submission, with revisions typically requested within 1-3 months.
HISTORYHistory and Background
Cell was founded in 1974 by Benjamin Lewin, who served as editor until 1999. Under his leadership, the journal established its reputation for publishing definitive research that shapes entire fields of study. Cell Press expanded significantly in the 2000s, launching sister journals including Molecular Cell, Cancer Cell, Cell Metabolism, Cell Stem Cell, and Immunity. In 1999, Cell Press was acquired by Elsevier, which has continued to invest in the journal’s editorial quality and digital presence.
ETHICSEthics and Policies
Cell adheres to the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) guidelines. The journal requires authors to disclose all competing interests, provide detailed materials and methods, and make data and code publicly available. Studies involving human subjects must include ethics approval documentation and informed consent statements. Animal studies require confirmation of adherence to institutional guidelines and relevant legislation. The journal investigates all allegations of misconduct and reserves the right to retract articles that violate ethical standards.
CITATIONCitation Trends and Analysis
Articles published in Cell demonstrate strong citation longevity, with highly cited papers accumulating 1,000+ citations over five years. The journal’s most-cited articles span fields including CRISPR gene editing, cancer immunotherapy, stem cell biology, and molecular mechanisms of disease. Cell’s h5-index in Google Scholar is approximately 380, placing it among the top five most-cited life science journals globally.
FAQFrequently Asked Questions
What is the current Impact Factor of Cell?
The 2025 Impact Factor of Cell is 45.1, placing it in Q1 in both Cell Biology and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology categories.
Is Cell a Q1 journal?
Yes, Cell is a Q1 journal in both the Cell Biology and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology categories according to the 2025 Journal Citation Reports.
Who publishes Cell?
Cell is published by Cell Press, an imprint of Elsevier, one of the world’s leading scientific publishers.
What is the acceptance rate for Cell?
The acceptance rate is approximately 10-15%, reflecting the journal’s highly selective editorial standards.
How long does the review process take?
Authors receive a first decision within 7-10 days. Manuscripts sent for external review typically complete the process within 4-8 weeks.
Is Cell an open access journal?
Cell operates a hybrid open access model. Authors can choose to make their article open access for an APC of approximately $8,900 USD.
What types of articles does Cell publish?
Cell publishes Research Articles, Resource Articles, Reports, Short Articles, Clinical Reports, Reviews, Perspectives, and Letters.
How do I submit a manuscript to Cell?
Manuscripts are submitted through the Cell Press Editorial System at https://www.cell.com/cell/authors.
