The PLOS ONE impact factor is reported as 2.8 for the 2025 metric year in the 2026 Journal Citation Reports (JCR) release. The journal’s five-year impact factor is reported as 3.3, and its current JCR category placement is Q2 in Multidisciplinary Sciences. Because journal metrics change annually and some records are available only through subscription databases, confirm the figures in Clarivate’s JCR before using them in formal academic documents.
PLOS ONE is a multidisciplinary, peer-reviewed, open-access journal that publishes research across science, medicine, engineering, and related fields. Its impact factor can help researchers compare citation patterns, but it cannot establish the quality of an individual paper or determine whether a manuscript will be accepted.
PLOS ONE Impact Factor in 2026
The 2026 Journal Citation Reports release reflects data from 2025. Clarivate announced the release on June 17, 2026, covering 22,643 journals across 254 categories. The release year and the citation-data year are different, so it is important to label the metric correctly. Clarivate’s announcement explains the release and its coverage.
| Metric | Latest reported value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Journal Impact Factor (JIF) | 2.8 | Reported for the 2025 metric year in the 2026 JCR release |
| Five-year Impact Factor | 3.3 | Reported longer-term citation measure |
| JCR quartile | Q2 | Reported placement in Multidisciplinary Sciences |
| Journal title | PLOS ONE | Multidisciplinary, peer-reviewed journal |
| eISSN | 1932-6203 | Electronic journal identifier |
| Publisher | Public Library of Science (PLOS) | Nonprofit open-access publisher |
The JIF, five-year JIF, and quartile figures above are reported in a current secondary journal guide. Confirm the journal’s live JCR record before citing them in a formal evaluation, because database updates and category definitions can affect how metrics should be reported. Current metric summary · Official PLOS ONE journal information.
Why is the year label important?
A JCR release published in 2026 does not mean the impact factor is calculated from citations made only during 2026. The 2026 release reports the relevant metric calculated from the preceding data period, including 2025 citation data.
When documenting the value, use wording such as “2025 Journal Impact Factor, reported in the 2026 JCR release.” This avoids mixing the publication year of the report with the year represented by the metric.
PLOS ONE Impact Factor History
A journal’s historical impact factor can provide context, but it should not be interpreted as a direct measure of whether the journal is improving or declining in research quality. Citation patterns change with research trends, publication volume, subject mix, and the time it takes for papers to be cited.
The following values are reported in a current secondary journal guide. Check the relevant historical JCR editions if you need an authoritative record for academic reporting.
| Metric year | Reported impact factor |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 2.8 |
| 2024 | 2.6 |
| 2023 | 2.9 |
| 2022 | 3.7 |
| 2021 | 3.8 |
| 2020 | 3.2 |
| 2019 | 2.7 |
| 2018 | 2.8 |
| 2017 | 2.8 |
| 2016 | 2.8 |
Source: PLOS ONE impact-factor history. Values should be checked against the corresponding JCR editions before formal citation.
The series shows that the reported JIF has varied over time. A higher value in one year does not automatically mean that every paper in the journal is more influential, and a lower value does not establish that its published research is less rigorous.
What Is the Journal Impact Factor?
The Journal Impact Factor (JIF) is a journal-level citation metric published through Clarivate’s Journal Citation Reports. In simplified terms, it measures citations received in a given year to a journal’s eligible content published during the preceding two years, divided by the number of eligible items published during those two years.
For example, a journal’s 2025 JIF generally uses citations made in 2025 to eligible content published in 2023 and 2024. The precise calculation follows Clarivate’s rules for eligible content and citations.
The JIF is useful for understanding a journal’s citation profile. It is not a score assigned to each paper, an acceptance probability, or a guarantee of academic quality. Clarivate provides JIF data and other journal indicators through Journal Citation Reports.
How is the impact factor calculated?
The simplified formula is:
Journal Impact Factor = Citations in the current year to eligible items from the previous two years ÷ Eligible items published in those two years
A hypothetical example makes the calculation easier to understand:
- A journal receives 1,000 qualifying citations in 2025 to eligible content published in 2023 and 2024.
- It published 400 eligible items during 2023 and 2024.
- Its simplified impact-factor calculation would be 1,000 ÷ 400 = 2.5.
These figures are illustrative, not PLOS ONE’s actual calculation. Clarivate’s definitions determine which citations and content types count.
What Is PLOS ONE’s Journal Ranking and Quartile?
PLOS ONE is reported as Q2 in the Multidisciplinary Sciences category in the 2026 JCR release. Quartiles group journals according to their position within a particular category: Q1 represents the top quarter, Q2 the second quarter, Q3 the third quarter, and Q4 the bottom quarter.
A Q2 label does not mean that a journal is mediocre or unsuitable. It means its position falls within the second quartile of the specified category and ranking system. The same journal may receive a different quartile in another database because the category, underlying data, ranking method, and metric may differ.
Before citing a quartile, check:
- The database: JCR and Scopus-based ranking systems are not interchangeable.
- The subject category: A multidisciplinary journal may be ranked differently from a specialist journal.
- The metric year: Quartiles can change between annual releases.
- The ranking method: A quartile tied to JIF is not automatically the same as a quartile based on SCImago Journal Rank (SJR).
For formal use, consult the journal’s current JCR record and state the category and metric year alongside the quartile.
Is PLOS ONE a Good and Reputable Journal?
PLOS ONE is an established, peer-reviewed, open-access journal published by the Public Library of Science. PLOS states that its journals are indexed in major services including Scopus and Web of Science, alongside other databases. Its journal information page describes a publication model that evaluates research on scientific validity, methodological rigor, and ethical standards rather than perceived significance alone. See the official PLOS ONE journal information page.
The impact factor is only one part of assessing a journal. To decide whether PLOS ONE is suitable for a particular manuscript, consider:
- Scope: Does the journal publish research in your subject area?
- Methodological standards: Are the study design, analysis, data, and conclusions sufficiently rigorous?
- Peer review: Are the journal’s editorial policies and review process transparent?
- Indexing: Is the journal currently listed in the databases required by your institution or funder?
- Access and reuse: Do its open-access terms suit your needs?
- Fees and funding: Can you cover the applicable article-processing charge, or do you qualify for assistance?
- Career or institutional requirements: Does your university, department, or funder specify a particular database, quartile, or metric?
A journal’s JIF does not prove that a particular article is sound, and a modest JIF does not prove that the journal is untrustworthy. Evaluate the publication’s policies and the quality of the research separately from its citation metric.
PLOS ONE vs. Scientific Reports
PLOS ONE and Scientific Reports are both broad-scope, peer-reviewed, open-access journals. However, they are different publications, and their metrics should be checked in the same database and metric year before making a direct comparison.
| Comparison point | PLOS ONE | Scientific Reports |
|---|---|---|
| Publisher | Public Library of Science (PLOS) | Nature Portfolio |
| General scope | Multidisciplinary research across a wide range of fields | Multidisciplinary research across the natural and clinical sciences |
| Access model | Open access | Open access |
| Editorial emphasis | PLOS describes its criteria around scientific validity, methodological rigor, and ethical standards | Consult the journal’s current editorial and submission policies |
| Impact factor comparison | Reported 2025 JIF of 2.8 in the 2026 JCR release | Verify the current value directly in JCR |
| Best way to choose | Compare scope, methods requirements, fees, policies, and audience | Apply the same checks before submitting |
Do not choose between the journals on impact factor alone. A journal with a higher JIF may not be the better fit for a particular paper. Check whether the subject, article type, editorial standards, publication costs, and intended readership match your work.
PLOS ONE CiteScore, SJR, SNIP, and h-Index
The Journal Impact Factor is not the only metric used to describe a journal. Different databases measure citation activity in different ways, so values should not be compared as if they were all calculated using the same formula.
| Metric | What it measures | Where to verify it |
|---|---|---|
| Journal Impact Factor (JIF) | Citations to eligible content over a defined two-year publication window, under Clarivate’s rules | Journal Citation Reports |
| Five-year JIF | A longer citation window than the standard JIF | Journal Citation Reports |
| CiteScore | A Scopus-based citation metric calculated using Elsevier’s methodology | Scopus |
| SCImago Journal Rank (SJR) | A Scopus-data-based indicator that weights citations according to the prestige of the citing source | SCImago Journal & Country Rank |
| Source Normalized Impact per Paper (SNIP) | A citation-impact measure that accounts for differences in citation practices across subject fields | Scopus-related metric resources |
| h-index | A measure combining publication output and citation counts, subject to the database and author/journal record being evaluated | The relevant bibliographic database |
The metrics answer different questions. A CiteScore value is not another name for JIF, and an SJR quartile should not be presented as a JCR quartile. Always include the source, year, and category where applicable.
PLOS itself lists several journal and article-level metrics and encourages readers to consider the limits of journal-level indicators. It does not recommend using the impact factor to judge the performance of an individual article. See PLOS publication metrics.
Is PLOS ONE Indexed in Scopus and Web of Science?
PLOS states that its journals are indexed by major services including Scopus and Web of Science. Its official PLOS ONE journal information page also lists additional indexing and discovery services. Researchers should still verify the journal’s current coverage directly in the database relevant to their institution, discipline, or funder.
This matters because “indexed” can mean different things depending on the database and collection. A journal appearing in one discovery service does not automatically establish that it meets every institution’s requirements for promotion, graduation, or grant reporting.
To verify indexing:
- Identify the database your institution or funder requires.
- Search for the exact journal title, PLOS ONE, and its eISSN, 1932-6203.
- Confirm that the record refers to the correct journal, not a similarly named publication.
- Review current coverage status and any applicable dates or collection details.
- Save the record or access date if you need evidence for a formal submission.
Start with the official PLOS ONE journal information page, then confirm coverage in the relevant indexing database.
PLOS ONE Acceptance Rate, Review Time, and Publication Fees
Impact factor alone cannot tell you how long peer review will take, how selective a journal is, or how much publication will cost. These are separate considerations that should be checked before submission.
PLOS’s official metrics page reports the journal’s annual publication statistics and explains that the data are updated annually. The 2025 metrics listed for PLOS ONE include a 26% acceptance rate, a median 32 days to first decision, a median 209 days to publication, and 18,300 publications. PLOS notes that acceptance rates are calculated from submission cohorts and therefore become available with a delay. See PLOS publication metrics.
| Consideration | Reported 2025 figure | Important context |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 26% | Historical cohort metric; not a prediction of your manuscript’s outcome |
| Median time to first decision | 32 days | A median, not a deadline or guarantee |
| Median time to publication | 209 days | The reported publication-time measure; individual cases vary |
| Number of publications | 18,300 | Annual publication volume reported by PLOS |
How much does it cost to publish in PLOS ONE?
PLOS ONE is an open-access journal, and publication may involve an article-processing charge (APC). The applicable fee can depend on article type, fee-assistance arrangements, institutional agreements, and eligibility for other support.
Do not rely on an old fee quoted on another website. Check the current amount, eligibility rules, and application process on the official PLOS publication fees page. Confirm any funding or waiver before submission rather than assuming that a discount will apply.
How to Check the Latest PLOS ONE Impact Factor
Use the primary source whenever you need an authoritative figure.
- Open Journal Citation Reports. Visit Clarivate’s JCR portal. Access may depend on your institution’s subscription.
- Search for PLOS ONE. Match the journal title and eISSN to avoid confusing it with another publication.
- Select the relevant release and metric year. The 2026 JCR release reflects 2025 data.
- Check the JIF and five-year JIF. Record each value separately.
- Check the category and quartile. Make sure the category matches the one you intend to cite.
- Record the date you checked. Metrics can change when new annual reports are released.
If you cannot access JCR, use the official PLOS journal pages for publication policies and indexing, and treat secondary metric pages as cross-checks rather than substitutes for the authoritative record. When writing an academic report, include the database, metric year, release year, and category.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current PLOS ONE impact factor?
The latest value reported in a current secondary journal guide is a 2025 Journal Impact Factor of 2.8 in the 2026 JCR release. Confirm the exact value in Clarivate’s Journal Citation Reports before using it in a formal academic or institutional document.
Is PLOS ONE Q1 or Q2?
PLOS ONE is reported as Q2 in Multidisciplinary Sciences in the 2026 JCR release. Always identify the database, subject category, and metric year because quartiles may differ across ranking systems.
What is the five-year impact factor of PLOS ONE?
A current secondary journal guide reports a five-year JIF of 3.3. Check the current JCR record before citing this value, particularly in a CV, grant application, or institutional assessment.
Is PLOS ONE a reputable journal?
PLOS ONE is an established peer-reviewed journal published by the nonprofit Public Library of Science. PLOS describes its editorial approach as focused on scientific validity, methodological rigor, and ethical standards. Assess the journal’s current policies and fit for your research rather than relying on its impact factor alone.
Is PLOS ONE indexed in Scopus and Web of Science?
PLOS says its journals are indexed in Scopus and Web of Science. If indexing is required for a specific academic purpose, confirm the journal’s current record in the database named by your institution or funder.
Does a higher impact factor mean a better journal?
Not necessarily. The impact factor summarizes journal-level citation activity. It does not measure the rigor, originality, or practical value of every individual article. Scope, editorial standards, peer review, transparency, and research quality should also be considered.
How is PLOS ONE different from Scientific Reports?
Both are broad-scope, peer-reviewed, open-access journals, but they have different publishers and policies. Compare their current scope, editorial criteria, indexing, fees, audience, and same-year metrics before deciding where to submit.
Where can I verify the official PLOS ONE impact factor?
Use Clarivate’s Journal Citation Reports. The official PLOS ONE journal information page is useful for scope, editorial policy, and indexing, while PLOS’s metrics page provides annual publication and timing statistics.
Final Takeaway
PLOS ONE’s impact factor is reported as 2.8 for the 2025 metric year in the 2026 JCR release, with a reported five-year JIF of 3.3 and Q2 placement in Multidisciplinary Sciences. Treat those numbers as one part of a broader journal evaluation, not as a verdict on individual research. For formal reporting, verify the live JCR record and check scope, indexing, peer-review policies, publication costs, and the requirements of your institution or funder.
Muhammad Bilal 
