Last Updated on July 16, 2026 by Dr. Bhagat
JOURNAL METRICS·Updated June 2026
Cell Impact Factor 2025
Cell Impact Factor 2025 is 45.1 (Q1, Cell Biology / Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, SCIE). Since 1974, Cell has stood as one of the “Big Three” journals in biology alongside Nature and Science, publishing field-defining research that shapes the direction of molecular and cellular biology for decades.
BIG THREE BIOLOGYCell in the Pantheon of Scientific Publishing
Cell is one of three journals, alongside Nature and Science, that virtually every biologist recognizes as the pinnacle of primary research publishing. The 2025 Impact Factor of 45.1 confirms its position in the top tier of all biological sciences journals. But Cell’s influence extends far beyond any single metric. With an h-index of 1219, the journal has published more than a thousand papers each cited at least a thousand times, a concentration of highly cited work unmatched in cell biology.
The SJR of 22.612 is among the highest of any primary research journal globally. This metric accounts for both citation volume and the prestige of citing journals, meaning Cell is referenced not just frequently but by the most influential publications in science. The CiteScore of 74.8, drawn from a four-year window, reveals that Cell papers accumulate extraordinary citation counts over extended periods, consistent with the journal’s role in publishing foundational discoveries that seed entire subfields.
CELL PRESS ECOSYSTEMWhere Cell Fits Among Its Siblings
| Journal | 2025 IF | Scope | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cell | 45.1 | Broad molecular & cell biology | Cell Press |
| Molecular Cell | 16.0 | Mechanistic molecular biology | Cell Press |
| Cell Metabolism | 27.5 | Metabolic research | Cell Press |
| Immunity | 25.5 | Immunology | Cell Press |
| Neuron | 14.0 | Neuroscience | Cell Press |
| Cell Stem Cell | 19.8 | Stem cell biology | Cell Press |
| Cancer Cell | 31.0 | Oncology | Cell Press |
COMPLETE METRICSCell at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Impact Factor (2025) | 45.1 | JCR 2025; Q1 |
| 5-Year Impact Factor | 50.7 | JCR 2025 |
| CiteScore | 74.8 | Scopus 2025 |
| SJR | 22.612 | SCImago 2025 |
| h-index | 1219 | Lifetime |
| Total Cites | 310,873 | JCR 2025 |
| ISSN | 0092-8674 | Cell Press |
| Publisher | Cell Press (Elsevier) | — |
| Established | 1974 | 51 years |
| Category | Cell Biology; Biochemistry & Molecular Biology | JCR Q1 both |
| Articles/Year | ~350-400 | Highly selective |
Key Takeaways
- 2025 IF: 45.1 (Q1 Cell Biology) — one of the “Big Three” biology journals.
- 5-Year IF of 50.7 indicates Cell papers gain citations over extended periods.
- h-index of 1219 represents one of the deepest citation catalogs in science.
- Publishes only ~350-400 research articles annually, making it extraordinarily selective.
- Published by Cell Press since 1974; indexed in SCIE, Scopus, PubMed.
FREQUENTLY ASKEDFAQs on Cell
What is the Cell Impact Factor for 2025?
45.1, Q1 in Cell Biology and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology.
Is Cell higher impact than Nature or Science?
Nature (IF ~56) and Science (IF ~37) differ in scope. Cell’s 45.1 places it between the two, but all three are elite venues with different editorial preferences.
What is the acceptance rate at Cell?
Estimated below 10%, with a high desk rejection rate. Most manuscripts are screened out within days of submission.
Does Cell publish methods papers?
Methodological advances are published, but only when they enable fundamentally new biological insights. Pure methods papers are better suited to Nature Methods.
What is the APC for open access?
$10,100 USD for open-access research articles at Cell Press.
