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How the impact factor is calculated
| Part | What it counts | Example (hypothetical) |
|---|---|---|
| Numerator | Citations received in 2024 to anything the journal published in 2022 and 2023 | 1,800 citations |
| Denominator | Citable items (articles and reviews) published in 2022 and 2023 | 600 items |
| Impact factor 2024 | Numerator ÷ denominator | 1,800 ÷ 600 = 3.0 |
An impact factor of 3.0 means that, on average, the journal’s recent papers were cited about three times in that year. Journal Citation Reports also gives a 5-year impact factor and category ranks, from which JCR quartiles are derived.
What the impact factor does not tell you
An average can hide a lot. Citations are highly unequal: a few papers collect most of them. Real data from PhD researchers on ScholarsColab shows how strongly citations vary even between groups of journals:
For papers published 2010–2022, the median number of citations was 32.0 in Web of Science core journals, 14.0 in ESCI journals, 8.0 in Scopus-only journals and 3.0 in journals not found in the lists.- It is an average, so most papers in a journal are cited less than the impact factor suggests.
- It differs hugely by field; compare journals only within the same category.
- It says nothing about one paper’s quality or one researcher’s ability.
- It can be influenced by review articles, which attract many citations.
Beware of fake impact factors
The Journal Impact Factor is issued only by Clarivate in Journal Citation Reports. Some journals advertise similar-sounding metrics from unrelated organisations (for example “global”, “universal” or “international” impact factors). These are not the JIF and are a common warning sign; see our guide to predatory journals.
How to use the impact factor sensibly
- Shortlist journals by scope first, for example with the Journal Finder above.
- Compare impact factors only within the same category.
- Look at the quartile, which already places the journal among its peers.
- Check other factors: review speed, acceptance rate, open access costs and audience.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good impact factor?
It depends entirely on the field. A value that is high in mathematics may be modest in cell biology. Compare a journal with others in the same category, or look at its quartile.
Who calculates the impact factor?
Clarivate calculates the Journal Impact Factor and publishes it each year in Journal Citation Reports for journals in the Web of Science Core Collection.
Do Scopus journals have an impact factor?
Only if they are also in the Web of Science Core Collection. Scopus itself uses CiteScore, SJR and SNIP.
Can an individual paper have an impact factor?
No. The impact factor describes a journal. For individual papers, look at their own citation counts.
What is the difference between impact factor and CiteScore?
The impact factor uses Web of Science data and a 2-year window, dividing by articles and reviews. CiteScore uses Scopus data and a 4-year window, dividing by more document types.
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