Nature Impact Factor 2025 (JCR 2026): 56.1, Q1, Ranking & Metrics

OverviewAbout Nature Journal

Nature was founded on 4 November 1869 in London, UK, making it one of the longest-running scientific journals in continuous publication. It publishes original research across all fields of the natural sciences, from molecular biology to astrophysics, and is published by Springer Nature under its Nature Portfolio imprint. For 2025, Nature reports an Impact Factor of 56.1 and holds the #1 rank in the Multidisciplinary Sciences category indexed in Web of Science.

2025 Impact FactorNature Impact Factor 2025

Nature’s Impact Factor for 2025 is 56.1, as reported in the Clarivate Journal Citation Reports (JCR) released in June 2026. This figure represents the ratio of citations received in 2025 to citable items (articles and reviews) published in 2023 and 2024.

An Impact Factor of 56.1 means that, on average, each citable article published in Nature during 2023–2024 received approximately 56.1 citations during 2025. This places Nature at the top of the Multidisciplinary Sciences category in JCR.

Historical TrendNature Impact Factor Trend (2017–2025)

Nature’s Impact Factor climbed steadily from 41.6 in 2017 to a peak of 69.5 in 2021, driven by intense citation of COVID-19-related research published during 2019–2020 (SARS-CoV-2 structural analyses, vaccine mechanism papers, and epidemiological modelling). Following this peak, the IF normalised through 2022–2024 as pandemic-era citations exited the two-year JCR window. The recovery to 56.1 in 2025 reflects the journal’s sustained citation performance across its multidisciplinary portfolio, consistent with the pre-pandemic baseline of 42–49.

Category & RankWeb of Science Category and Journal Rank

Nature is classified under Multidisciplinary Sciences in the Web of Science Journal Citation Reports. As of 2025, it holds the #1 rank out of approximately 73 journals in this category.

For researchers in India and South Asia, a #1 rank in Multidisciplinary Sciences means that publication in Nature carries the highest citation-based prestige within this broad category. This ranking is referenced by institutional promotion committees, grant review panels, and national research assessment frameworks.

QuartileIs Nature a Q1 Journal?

Yes, Nature is a Q1 journal. It is ranked in the top 25% of the Multidisciplinary Sciences category in the Journal Citation Reports. With an Impact Factor of 56.1 and a #1 ranking out of ~73 journals, Nature sits well within the top quartile. For tenure and promotion evaluations, as well as grant applications under schemes such as UGC-CARE and SERB in India, Q1 classification is frequently a required criterion.

IndexingWhere Is Nature Indexed?

Nature is indexed in the following major bibliographic databases:

• SCIE (Science Citation Index Expanded) — Web of Science Core Collection. Source of the 56.1 Impact Factor.
• Scopus — CiteScore: 97.0, SJR: 19.713, SNIP: 10.607.
• PubMed / MEDLINE — Biomedical and life sciences articles indexed.
• Google Scholar — Full coverage for h-index (1,442+) and citation tracking.

ScopeWhat Does Nature Publish?

Nature publishes original research articles and reviews across all fields of the natural sciences, including physics, chemistry, biology, earth sciences, astronomy, and medicine. Unlike specialized journals that restrict submissions to a single discipline, Nature actively seeks work that crosses disciplinary boundaries or that has significance beyond a single field.

Nature is appropriate for researchers whose work demonstrates exceptional significance, broad interdisciplinary appeal, or transformative implications. Authors should frame their findings to demonstrate relevance to readers outside their immediate specialty.

ComparisonNature vs. Comparable Journals

Nature leads the Multidisciplinary Sciences category with an Impact Factor of 56.1, ahead of Science (47.3), Cell (45.1), and PNAS (9.5). All four are Q1-ranked and SCIE-indexed. Nature and Science are the two highest-impact general science journals.

Nature FamilyNature Portfolio Journals Comparison

Springer Nature publishes a portfolio of journals under the Nature brand, ranging from the flagship Nature to specialised titles and the broad-scope Nature Communications. Researchers often compare these when deciding where to submit.

The Nature transfer system moves rejected manuscripts between journals. A paper rejected from Nature may be invited to transfer to Nature Communications (~40% acceptance rate for transfers) or a specialty Nature journal (~30% acceptance). Understanding this hierarchy helps researchers submit strategically.

Acceptance & Desk RejectionNature Acceptance Rate and Selectivity

The estimated acceptance rate for Nature is ~7–8%. This figure is author-reported and has not been officially published by Springer Nature.

However, the headline acceptance rate does not tell the full story. Nature’s selectivity operates in two stages:

Peer ReviewNature Peer Review Timeline

Nature operates a two-stage editorial process. Submissions first undergo an initial editorial assessment by the editorial team. Manuscripts that pass this screening are sent for peer review. The median time from submission to first editorial decision is 8 days — one of the fastest in academic publishing for a journal of this stature. The full journey from submission to acceptance has a median duration of 321 days (~10.5 months), reflecting the multiple rounds of revision typical for Nature papers.

APCNature Article Processing Charge (APC)

The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publishing open access in Nature is €9,500. This fee applies to authors who choose the open access option under the journal’s hybrid model. Authors may also publish under the subscription model at no direct cost.

Nature operates a hybrid open access model. Springer Nature participates in transformative agreements with institutions and consortia, which may cover or reduce APC costs for corresponding authors affiliated with participating institutions. Researchers in India should check whether their institution has a Springer Nature transformative agreement before submitting.

Reference StyleNature Reference and Citation Style

Nature uses its own proprietary citation style: references are numbered consecutively in the order they appear in the text, using superscript Arabic numerals. The reference list follows the same numerical order. This is distinct from Vancouver style and from author-date systems such as APA or Harvard.

Authors should consult the Guide to Authors on the Nature website for detailed formatting instructions.

Target AudienceWho Should Publish in Nature?

• Researchers whose findings have cross-disciplinary significance and appeal to audiences beyond a single specialized field.
• Authors with results that represent a major conceptual advance or a transformative methodological breakthrough.
• Scientists working at the interface of two or more disciplines (e.g., physics and biology, chemistry and materials science).
• Research groups seeking maximum visibility and citation impact for a flagship result, given Nature’s #1 rank and 56.1 IF.
• Investigators applying for competitive grants or promotions in systems where Q1 SCIE publications carry the highest weight.

Submission TipsTips for Submitting to Nature

• Consider a pre-submission inquiry: Nature encourages pre-submission inquiries outlining the work before a full manuscript submission. This can save time by receiving editorial feedback on fit within days.
• Emphasise broad significance: The abstract and cover letter must explain why findings matter to readers outside the immediate discipline. Nature editors prioritise interdisciplinary impact over technical depth alone.
• Write concisely: Nature articles are typically ~2,000–3,000 words. Every sentence should advance the argument.
• Craft a compelling cover letter: State the central finding, explain suitability for Nature’s broad readership, and note any competing considerations.
• Address novelty explicitly: Clearly differentiate from existing literature. Nature editors evaluate whether the study opens a new field or overturns an established paradigm.