Last Updated on June 25, 2026 by Journal IF Team
Communications Biology is an open-access journal from the Nature Portfolio publishing significant advances across all areas of biological research. Launched in 2018 as part of Nature Research’s open-access expansion, the journal publishes high-quality research papers, reviews, and commentaries that advance understanding of biological systems at the molecular, cellular, organismal, and ecological levels.
Key Takeaways
- Impact Factor (2025): 5.8 — solid open-access biology journal
- JCR Quartile: Q1 (Biology)
- Publisher: Nature Portfolio (Springer Nature)
- ISSN: 2399-3642 (online)
- Frequency: Continuous publication
- Open Access: Fully open access (APC ~$3,790 for original research)
- Acceptance Rate: Approximately 25-30%
OVERVIEWCommunications Biology Journal Overview
Communications Biology publishes original research articles, reviews, and commentaries reporting significant findings across the full spectrum of biological sciences. The journal covers molecular biology, cell biology, genetics, genomics, biochemistry, structural biology, microbiology, immunology, neuroscience, plant biology, ecology, evolution, and computational biology. Communications Biology is part of Nature Portfolio’s communications journal series, which emphasizes rigorous peer review, editorial transparency, and broad dissemination of scientific findings.
IMPACT FACTORCommunications Biology Impact Factor 2025
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| 2025 Impact Factor | 5.8 |
| JCR Quartile | Q1 (Biology) |
| 5-Year Impact Factor | ~6.1 |
| Total Citations | ~30,000+ |
Communications Biology maintains a 2025 impact factor of 5.8 in the Biology category, ranking Q1. Since its launch in 2018, the journal has established itself as a reliable venue for high-quality open-access biological research.
INDEXINGIndexing and Abstracting
Communications Biology is indexed in Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE), PubMed/MEDLINE, PubMed Central (PMC), Scopus, and the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ). All articles are deposited in PMC immediately upon publication.
SCOPUSScopus CiteScore
Communications Biology has a Scopus CiteScore of approximately 8.5, placing it in the 88th percentile of general biology journals. Articles receive an average of 5-7 citations within the first two years of publication.
SUBJECTSubject Areas
Communications Biology publishes across all areas of biology, including:
- Molecular and Cell Biology
- Genetics and Genomics
- Biochemistry and Structural Biology
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Neuroscience
- Plant Biology
- Ecology and Evolution
- Developmental Biology
- Computational Biology and Bioinformatics
- Cancer Biology
- Physiology and Pathophysiology
- Marine Biology
- Systems Biology
PUBLISHERPublisher Information
Communications Biology is published by Nature Portfolio, a division of Springer Nature. Nature Portfolio encompasses the Nature family of journals, Nature Communications, and the Communications journals series (Communications Biology, Communications Chemistry, Communications Earth & Environment, and Communications Medicine). Springer Nature is one of the world’s largest academic publishing groups, formed in 2015 through the merger of Nature Publishing Group, Palgrave Macmillan, and Macmillan Science and Education with Springer Science+Business Media.
CONTACTContact and Editorial Office
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Nature Portfolio (Springer Nature) |
| Headquarters | The Campus, 4 Crinan Street, London N1 9XW, UK |
| Editorial Office | commsbio@nature.com |
| Submission System | https://www.nature.com/commsbio/for-authors |
| Website | https://www.nature.com/commsbio |
OPEN ACCESSOpen Access Policy
Communications Biology is a fully open-access journal. All articles are published under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY), allowing unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction provided the original work is cited. The article processing charge (APC) for original research articles is approximately $3,790 USD. The journal waives APCs for authors from low-income countries through the Springer Nature OA agreement program.
GUIDELINESAuthor Guidelines
Communications Biology publishes Articles, Reviews, Matters Arising, Comments, and Editorials. Research articles present original findings of broad interest to the biological community. Reviews provide comprehensive syntheses of active research areas. Manuscripts are submitted through the Nature Portfolio editorial system. The journal requires complete methods, data availability statements, and competing interest disclosures. Figure limits apply: Articles may include up to 10 display items.
METRICSAdditional Metrics and Rankings
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Impact Factor (2025) | 5.8 |
| JCR Ranking | Q1 (Biology) |
| Scopus CiteScore | ~8.5 |
| Article Influence Score | ~1.8 |
| Acceptance Rate | ~25-30% |
| Time to First Decision | ~7-10 days |
| ISSN | 2399-3642 |
| Frequency | Continuous |
| First Published | 2018 |
| Publisher | Nature Portfolio (Springer Nature) |
SUBMISSIONSubmission and Review Process
Manuscripts submitted to Communications Biology undergo initial editorial assessment for scope, novelty, and significance. Suitable manuscripts are sent to expert referees (typically 2-3) for peer review. The journal uses a single-anonymous review model. Authors receive an initial decision within 7-10 days for desk rejects and 3-4 weeks for reviewed manuscripts. Major revisions are common, and the editorial team works closely with authors to strengthen manuscripts.
HISTORYHistory and Background
Communications Biology was launched in January 2018 as part of Nature Research’s strategy to expand open-access publishing across scientific disciplines. The journal was established under the editorial leadership of Dr. Christina Karlsson Rosenthal, with an international editorial board of practicing scientists. Since its inception, the journal has grown rapidly and now publishes over 1,500 articles annually, making it one of the largest open-access biology journals.
ETHICSEthics and Policies
Communications Biology adheres to COPE guidelines and Springer Nature editorial policies. The journal requires ethics approval for human and animal studies, informed consent documentation, and data availability statements. All manuscripts are screened for plagiarism using Crossref Similarity Check. Image integrity screening is performed on all accepted manuscripts. The journal supports the ARRIVE guidelines for animal research reporting.
CITATIONCitation Trends and Analysis
Communications Biology has shown strong citation growth since its launch. The journal’s h5-index is approximately 78. Highly cited articles accumulate 50-150+ citations within three years. The open-access model ensures broad readership and citation diversity across subdisciplines of biology. The journal is particularly strong in areas of genomics, microbiome research, and systems biology.
FAQFrequently Asked Questions
What is the current Impact Factor of Communications Biology?
The 2025 Impact Factor of Communications Biology is 5.8, ranking Q1 in Biology.
Is Communications Biology a Q1 journal?
Yes, Communications Biology is a Q1 journal in the Biology category.
Who publishes Communications Biology?
Communications Biology is published by Nature Portfolio, a division of Springer Nature.
Is Communications Biology fully open access?
Yes, Communications Biology is fully open access under a CC BY 4.0 license.
What is the APC for Communications Biology?
The APC for original research articles is approximately $3,790 USD.
How long does the review process take?
Authors receive a first decision within 7-10 days (desk decision) or 3-4 weeks (after peer review).
What is the acceptance rate?
The acceptance rate is approximately 25-30%.
What types of articles does Communications Biology publish?
The journal publishes Articles, Reviews, Matters Arising, Comments, and Editorials.
