Science Journals 2026 — Top Scientific Journals Ranked by Citation Rate

Browse 1006+ science journals ranked by citation rate. 337 are open access with an average citation rate of 10.27. This complete list of science journals covers biology, physics, chemistry, engineering, medicine, and multidisciplinary science.

About Science Journals

Science journals publish original research, reviews, and commentary across the natural sciences. The most prestigious — like Nature, Science, and Cell — are multidisciplinary, while thousands of specialized journals focus on specific fields like molecular biology, astrophysics, or organic chemistry. All journals listed here are peer reviewed and indexed in major databases.

Top 10 Science Journals by Citation Rate

#1
Nature
Nature Portfolio · ISSN: 0028-0836
CR: 69.50
#2
Cell
Elsevier · ISSN: 0092-8674
CR: 66.80
#3
Nature Neuroscience
Springer Nature · ISSN: 1097-6256
CR: 64.80
#4
Nature Reports Climate Change
Springer Nature · ISSN: 1753-9315
CR: 64.80
#5
Nature reviews. Neuroscience
Springer Nature · ISSN: 1471-003X
CR: 64.80
#6
Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences
Springer · ISSN: 1420-9071
CR: 64.50
OA
#7
Journal of Cell Science
The Company of Biologists · ISSN: 0021-9533
CR: 64.50
#8
Science
American Association for the Advancement of Science · ISSN: 0036-8075
CR: 63.70
#9
Nature Climate Change
Springer Nature · ISSN: 1758-678X
CR: 61.56
#10
Nature Geoscience
Springer Nature · ISSN: 1752-0894
CR: 61.56

All Science Journals

Catalysts

Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute

2073-4344 IF 3.98
iScience

Cell Press

2589-0042 IF 3.93
Algal Research

Elsevier BV

2211-9264 IF 3.89
Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience

Frontiers Media

1663-4365 IF 3.89
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology

Frontiers Media

2235-2988 IF 3.89
Frontiers in Environmental Science

Frontiers Media

2296-665X IF 3.88
Bioorganic Chemistry

Elsevier BV

0045-2068 IF 3.85
Aquatic Toxicology

Elsevier BV

0166-445X IF 3.82
Epilepsia

Wiley

0013-9580 IF 3.80
Education Sciences

Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute

2227-7102 IF 3.80
Glia

Wiley

0894-1491 IF 3.75
Frontiers in Soft Matter

Frontiers Media S.A.

2813-0499 IF 3.71
PLoS ONE

Public Library of Science

1932-6203 IF 3.70

Frequently Asked Questions

The top science journals by citation rate include Nature, Science, Cell, and The Lancet. These publish groundbreaking research across multiple scientific disciplines.

Consider your specific field, the journal's citation rate, acceptance rate, APC costs, and open access requirements. Use the field filter buttons above to narrow by discipline, or try our Journal Finder Tool.

Yes. Diamond Open Access journals charge no APC. Browse our free journals list to find science journals with zero publication fees.
Science Journals at a Glance
1006
Journals
337
Open Access
10.27
Avg Citation Rate
Comparison Shortlist
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