Last Updated on July 16, 2026 by Dr. Bhagat
JOURNAL METRICS·Updated June 2026
Molecules Impact Factor 2025
Molecules Impact Factor 2025 is 4.3 (Q2, Chemistry, MDPI). Since 1996, Molecules has been a cornerstone of chemistry publishing, covering synthetic methodology, natural products, medicinal chemistry, and materials chemistry through an open-access model.
CHEMISTRY PUBLISHINGMolecules in the MDPI Ecosystem
Established in 1996, Molecules (ISSN: 1420-3049) is one of MDPI’s flagship journals and among the largest chemistry journals in the world by publication volume. Its Impact Factor of 4.3 reflects both the breadth of its scope and the sheer volume of high-quality research it publishes annually. The journal covers organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, physical chemistry, analytical chemistry, polymer chemistry, and interdisciplinary fields at the chemistry-biology and chemistry-materials interfaces.
5-YEAR TRENDImpact Factor History
| Year | Impact Factor | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 3.5 | → |
| 2021 | 3.3 | ↓ |
| 2022 | 3.4 | ↑ |
| 2023 | 4.1 | ↑ |
| 2024 | 4.2 | ↑ |
| 2025 | 4.3 | ↑ |
Molecules has demonstrated consistent growth over the past five years, rising from 3.5 to 4.3. This upward trend reflects MDPI’s investments in editorial quality, the journal’s increasing visibility in chemical literature, and the growing global demand for open-access chemistry publishing venues.
CITATION PROFILECiteScore and SJR Assessment
Scopus metrics provide important context. Molecules carries a CiteScore of 6.8 and an SJR of 0.72. The CiteScore, which averages citations per document over a four-year window, is notably higher than the two-year Impact Factor, a pattern common to journals with large back-catalogs that continue accumulating citations well after publication.
Key Takeaways
- Molecules achieved a 4.3 Impact Factor for 2025 (Q2, Chemistry).
- One of the largest open-access chemistry journals globally by publication volume.
- CiteScore of 6.8 indicates strong 4-year citation performance.
- Covers all major chemistry subdisciplines plus interfaces with biology and materials science.
OPEN ACCESSPublication Model and Reach
As a fully open-access journal, Molecules removes paywall barriers to scientific knowledge. This accessibility is particularly valuable for researchers in developing nations and for industrial chemists without institutional library subscriptions. The journal operates with an article processing charge model, with waivers available for authors from low-income countries.
IF EXPLAINEDHow the Impact Factor Works
The Impact Factor divides citations received in the reporting year by citable items published in the two preceding years. For Molecules, with its very large annual volume, the 4.3 represents an average across thousands of articles. Individual papers may receive hundreds of citations or just a handful, depending on topic timeliness and field citation density.
FAQFrequently Asked Questions
What is the Molecules Impact Factor 2025?
The 2025 Impact Factor is 4.3, ranked Q2 in Chemistry.
Is Molecules a good journal?
With an IF of 4.3, broad scope, and open-access reach, it is a well-regarded venue for chemistry research, though some authors prefer more selective titles for high-impact work.
Is Molecules MDPI predatory?
MDPI is a legitimate publisher listed on the Directory of Open Access Journals. Molecules is indexed in SCIE, Scopus, and PubMed, and undergoes standard peer review.
What is the APC for Molecules?
MDPI charges an article processing fee that varies by article type. Check the journal website for current pricing.
How long is peer review?
MDPI journals are known for fast turnaround. Initial decisions typically arrive within 3–4 weeks.
