Last Updated on July 16, 2026 by Dr. Bhagat
JOURNAL METRICS·Updated June 2026
Nature Communications Impact Factor 2025
Nature Communications Impact Factor 2025 is 18.1 (Q1, Multidisciplinary Sciences, SCIE). Since 2010, this Nature Portfolio journal has become the world’s largest open-access research journal, publishing breakthrough discoveries across all scientific disciplines.
2025 METRICSNature Communications Impact Factor & Ranking
Nature Communications commands a 2025 impact factor of 18.1, placing it in Q1 of the Multidisciplinary Sciences category. As the first purely open-access journal in the Nature Portfolio, it has grown into the largest open-access research journal globally by article output while maintaining rigorous peer-review standards inherited from the Nature editorial tradition. An h-index of 568 places it among the most cited journals in existence.
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Impact Factor | 18.1 | JCR 2025 |
| JCR Quartile | Q1 | JCR 2025 |
| CiteScore | 24.8 | Scopus 2025 |
| SJR | 4.5 | Scimago 2025 |
| H-Index | 568 | Google Scholar |
| Category Rank | Top 5 / 134 journals | JCR 2025 |
| ISSN | 2041-1723 | Springer Nature |
| Publisher | Springer Nature | — |
TRENDNature Communications Impact Factor History (2017–2025)
Nature Communications’ impact factor trajectory tells the story of open-access maturation in the Nature ecosystem. After initial fluctuations as the journal found its footing, the metric climbed steadily through the late 2010s and early 2020s before stabilizing in the mid-to-high teens. The 2025 value of 18.1 reflects the journal’s ability to maintain selectivity despite publishing thousands of articles annually.
| Year | Impact Factor | Quartile | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 18.1 | Q1 | → Stable |
| 2024 | 18.8 | Q1 | → Stable |
| 2023 | 17.7 | Q1 | → Stable |
| 2022 | 16.6 | Q1 | ↗ Rising |
| 2021 | 17.7 | Q1 | ↗ Peak |
| 2020 | 14.9 | Q1 | ↗ Rising |
| 2019 | 12.1 | Q1 | → Stable |
| 2018 | 11.9 | Q1 | → Stable |
| 2017 | 12.4 | Q1 | → Stable |
Key Takeaways
- Nature Communications 2025 Impact Factor is 18.1 (Q1, Multidisciplinary Sciences).
- An h-index of 568 makes it one of the most cited journals in the world.
- The CiteScore of 24.8 substantially exceeds the two-year JCR impact factor.
- Published by Springer Nature as the first fully open-access journal in the Nature Portfolio.
- Indexed in SCIE, Scopus, PubMed Central, DOAJ.
ABOUTWhat Is Nature Communications?
Nature Communications is a multidisciplinary, open-access journal published by Springer Nature. Launched in 2010, it was the first journal in the Nature family to operate exclusively on an open-access model. The journal publishes significant advances across the biological, physical, chemical, earth, and social sciences, with a particular strength in interdisciplinary work that bridges multiple fields. Nature Communications maintains editorial offices in London, Berlin, New York, and Shanghai, reflecting its global scope. The journal’s editorial process combines professional editors with input from academic editorial board members, ensuring that decisions balance breadth of appeal with depth of technical assessment.
CATEGORYMultidisciplinary Sciences Ranking
Within the Multidisciplinary Sciences category, Nature Communications sits in the top tier alongside PNAS, Science Advances, and National Science Review. Its Q1 status is reinforced by the SJR of 4.5, which accounts for both citation volume and the prestige of citing journals. Nature Communications differentiates itself from competitors through the Springer Nature publishing infrastructure, global editorial presence, and the halo effect of the Nature brand.
COMPARISONNature Communications vs. Competitors
| Journal | 2025 IF | Quartile | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nature Communications | 18.1 | Q1 | Springer Nature |
| Science Advances | 12.1 | Q1 | AAAS |
| PNAS | 9.5 | Q1 | NAS |
| iScience | 4.1 | Q2 | Cell Press |
| Scientific Reports | 3.7 | Q2 | Springer Nature |
FAQFrequently Asked Questions
What is the Nature Communications impact factor 2025?
The Nature Communications impact factor 2025 is 18.1, placing it in Q1 of the Multidisciplinary Sciences category.
Is Nature Communications a Q1 journal?
Yes, Nature Communications is a Q1 journal in the Multidisciplinary Sciences category according to JCR 2025.
Is Nature Communications open access?
Yes, Nature Communications is a fully open-access journal. All articles are freely accessible upon publication under CC-BY licenses, funded by article processing charges (APCs).
What is Nature Communications’ ISSN?
The ISSN of Nature Communications is 2041-1723. The journal is online-only.
When was Nature Communications established?
Nature Communications was established in 2010 by Nature Publishing Group (now Springer Nature).
How does Nature Communications compare to PNAS?
Nature Communications (IF 18.1) holds a significant lead over PNAS (IF 9.5) in impact factor terms, though both are Q1 multidisciplinary journals. Nature Communications is fully open access, while PNAS operates a hybrid model.
