Indexing Freshness Alert
Our 2026 tracker has detected a significant fluctuation in this journal's impact metrics over the last 24 months. While still verified, researchers are advised to cross-reference with our Live Indexing Hub for the most recent status updates before submission.
The Lancet Journal Citation Rate 2026
0140-6736
eISSN 1474-547X
Elsevier BV
NL
Q1 Quartile Hybrid Top Tier
About The Lancet
The Lancet (L) is a peer-reviewed academic journal covering Clinical Medicine and Medicine, published by Elsevier BV in NL and in circulation since 1823, catalogued under ISSN 0140-6736 (e-ISSN 1474-547X). As of 2026, it has a 2025 2-Year Citation Rate (OpenAlex) of 18.01 (Q1 quartile) — the average number of citations its recent articles received over a two-year window, computed from OpenAlex open citation data, not the Clarivate (JCR) Impact Factor. It operates a hybrid open-access model (APC ~$6500 USD). OpenAlex records 475,761 works and 10,387,071 citations, with an h-index of 1206.
The Lancet Citation Rate 2026 — In Context
The Lancet has a 2025 2-Year Citation Rate (OpenAlex) of 18.01, placing it in the Q1 quartile within the Clinical Medicine research area. This is the average number of citations the journal's recent articles received over a two-year window, computed from OpenAlex open citation data — not the Clarivate (JCR) Journal Impact Factor.
The Lancet operates a hybrid open-access model — authors may pay an APC of approximately $6500 USD to make individual articles open access, while the rest remain subscription-only.
Researchers looking to publish in The Lancet should review the journal's submission tips and verify the latest indexing status against Scopus, DOAJ, and Web of Science using our indexing tracker. To compare The Lancet against similar journals in the field, use our journal comparison tool.
Submission Tips for The Lancet
- Budget $6500 for the Article Processing Charge. Check if your institution or funder covers OA fees.
- This journal covers Clinical Medicine, Medicine. Ensure your manuscript aligns with these scope areas to avoid desk rejection.
How The Lancet Compares
Compared against 30 journals in the same research areas.
| ISSN (Print) | 0140-6736 |
|---|---|
| ISSN (Online) | 1474-547X |
| Publisher | Elsevier BV |
| Country | Netherlands |
| Established | 1823 |
| APC / Cost | $6500 USD |
| h-index | 1207 |
| Total Works | 475,781 |
| Total Citations | 10,390,122 |
| 2-yr Mean Citedness | 19.43 (OpenAlex) |
In-depth profile & metrics
The Lancet is published by Elsevier BV, based in Netherlands and in publication since 1823. It runs on a subscription or hybrid model with an article-processing charge of USD 6500.
In our subject taxonomy, The Lancet is classified under Clinical Medicine and Medicine.
The Lancet is indexed in OpenAlex. OpenAlex tracking provides an open, citable record of its output even where commercial indexing is absent.
OpenAlex records 475,781 works that have together drawn 10,390,122 citations, giving the journal an h-index of 1207; its citation rate has fallen over the last 6 years, from 59.100 (2019) to 18.010 (2025); OpenAlex puts its two-year mean citedness at 19.43.
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Frequently Asked Questions about The Lancet
Live Indexing Status
Updated June 2026Track real-time indexing metrics to ensure this journal meets your academic requirements.
Citation Rate
Historical Trend
The impact factor has declined by 70% over the last 6 years (from 59.100 to 18.010). Researchers should monitor ongoing metrics before submission.
Citation Rate by Year
| Year | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 18.010 | 2-Year Mean Citedness (OpenAlex) |
| 2021 | 79.300 | 2-Year Mean Citedness (OpenAlex) |
| 2020 | 60.300 | 2-Year Mean Citedness (OpenAlex) |
| 2019 | 59.100 | 2-Year Mean Citedness (OpenAlex) |
Metrics are sourced from OpenAlex, DOAJ and Scopus and reflect the latest data we hold. The headline figure is a 2-year citation rate (OpenAlex), not a Clarivate Impact Factor. Always verify against the journal's official site before relying on it. See our Methodology or report a correction.
Works Published per Year (2014–2025)
Annual publication volume sourced from OpenAlex. Current year omitted (partial data).
Publication & citation history by year
| Year | Works published | Citations received |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,484 | 18,916 |
| 2024 | 1,704 | 58,999 |
| 2023 | 1,560 | 65,212 |
| 2022 | 1,446 | 105,957 |
| 2021 | 1,638 | 176,244 |
| 2020 | 1,675 | 457,908 |
| 2019 | 2,044 | 198,995 |
| 2018 | 1,878 | 210,788 |
| 2017 | 2,093 | 241,288 |
| 2016 | 2,183 | 286,867 |
| 2015 | 2,214 | 235,969 |
| 2014 | 2,153 | 209,346 |
Journal at a Glance
Source: OpenAlex — refreshed daily.
Top Research Topics
The areas where The Lancet most frequently publishes, ranked by article volume. Click a topic to see the best journals for it.
Research Highlights
Recently published high-impact papers in this journal:
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Global climate justice and the future of air quality co-benefits in low-income and middle-income countries: an energy, climate, and health modelling study
Noah Scovronick, Jinyu Shiwang, Maddalena Ferranna • 2026
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Metadata
Last updated: Jun 07, 2026
Updated by: system
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