Best Hematology Journals (2026): Ranked by Impact and Accessibility
Ranked list of the top 12 hematology journals by impact factor, acceptance rate, APC, and review speed, covering malignant and non-malignant hematology, hemostasis, and transfusion medicine.
Senior Researcher, Oncology & Cell Biology
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Specializes in manuscript preparation and peer review strategy for oncology and cell biology, with deep experience evaluating submissions to Nature Medicine, JCO, Cancer Cell, and Cell-family journals.
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Hematology is split between two very different worlds: hematologic malignancies (leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma) and non-malignant hematology (hemostasis, thrombosis, red cell disorders, transfusion medicine). The journal landscape reflects this split. Blood dominates both sides, but the alternatives differ dramatically depending on whether your paper is about cancer treatment or coagulation biology.
Understanding this split's the first step in choosing the right journal.
Elite tier (IF 15+)
These journals publish the research that defines hematology practice and our understanding of blood biology.
1. Blood (IF ~21)
Blood is the journal of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) and the single most important journal in the field. It covers everything: leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, stem cell transplant, gene therapy, hemostasis, thrombosis, red cell biology, platelet biology, and transfusion medicine. If your paper is hematology, Blood is the first journal to consider.
Blood's breadth is both a strength and a challenge. The journal publishes over 2,000 articles per year, so it's large enough to accommodate diverse topics. But competition is fierce, and the desk rejection rate is substantial.
Acceptance rate: ~15-18%. APC: None (hybrid OA). Review time: 4-6 weeks. Scope: All hematology, ASH guidelines, malignant and non-malignant.
2. The Lancet Haematology (IF ~20)
The Lancet Haematology publishes high-impact clinical hematology research with a preference for large trials, global disease burden studies, and research with broad clinical relevance. The journal is particularly strong in hematologic malignancy trials and sickle cell disease.
Acceptance rate: ~5-7%. APC: None. Review time: 4-8 weeks. Scope: Clinical hematology, hematologic malignancy trials, sickle cell, global hematology.
3. Journal of Clinical Oncology (IF ~43)
JCO isn't a hematology journal, but it publishes a large volume of hematologic malignancy research. If your paper is about leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma treatment (especially phase III trials), JCO is actually higher-impact than Blood for clinical oncology trials. Many landmark trials in hematologic malignancies appear in JCO rather than Blood.
Acceptance rate: ~8-10%. APC: None. Review time: 4-6 weeks. Scope: Hematologic malignancy trials, CAR-T cell therapy, transplant outcomes.
4. Leukemia (IF ~12)
Leukemia (Nature Publishing Group) is the top journal specifically for leukemia and related malignancies. It publishes clinical trials, translational studies, and basic science focused on leukemia biology. If your paper is specifically about leukemia (AML, ALL, CML, CLL, MDS), Leukemia is the most focused high-impact venue.
Acceptance rate: ~15%. APC: None (hybrid OA). Review time: 4-8 weeks. Scope: All leukemias, MDS, myeloproliferative neoplasms, translational leukemia research.
Strong tier (IF 5-15)
These journals publish excellent hematology research across specific subfields.
5. Blood Advances (IF ~7)
Blood Advances is Blood's open-access companion journal from ASH. It publishes clinical and translational hematology research that meets high standards but doesn't reach Blood's selectivity threshold. Staying in the ASH family ensures visibility at the ASH Annual Meeting and among ASH members.
Acceptance rate: ~25%. APC: $3,500. Review time: 4-6 weeks. Scope: All hematology, open access, ASH family.
6. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis (IF ~6)
JTH is the journal of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH). It's the top specialty journal for hemostasis, thrombosis, and vascular biology. If your paper is about coagulation, anticoagulation therapy, platelet biology, or venous thromboembolism, JTH is the first choice after Blood.
Acceptance rate: ~20%. APC: None (hybrid OA). Review time: 4-8 weeks. Scope: Hemostasis, thrombosis, coagulation, anticoagulation, platelet biology, VTE.
7. Haematologica (IF ~7)
Haematologica is the journal of the European Hematology Association (EHA). It covers all hematology with a European perspective. The journal publishes clinical trials, translational research, and case series. It competes with Blood for European hematology submissions and provides a strong alternative for papers that don't make it into Blood.
Acceptance rate: ~20%. APC: None (hybrid OA). Review time: 4-8 weeks. Scope: All hematology, EHA perspective, European clinical data.
8. HemaSphere (IF ~14.6)
HemaSphere's EHA's open-access journal, launched in 2017. It publishes clinical and translational hematology research and has grown quickly in visibility and reputation. For European researchers who want OA within the EHA ecosystem, HemaSphere's the natural choice.
Acceptance rate: ~25%. APC: $2,500. Review time: 4-6 weeks. Scope: All hematology, open access, EHA family.
9. American Journal of Hematology (IF ~8)
AJH covers clinical hematology broadly, from malignant to non-malignant. The journal publishes clinical research, diagnostic studies, and treatment outcome analyses. AJH is particularly valued for clinical hematology case series and diagnostic approaches.
Acceptance rate: ~20%. APC: None (hybrid OA). Review time: 4-8 weeks. Scope: Clinical hematology, diagnostics, treatment outcomes, case series.
10. Thrombosis and Haemostasis (IF ~5)
T&H covers hemostasis and thrombosis with overlap to JTH. The journal publishes clinical research, basic coagulation science, and epidemiological studies on thrombotic disease. T&H is a practical alternative to JTH for hemostasis research.
Acceptance rate: ~25%. APC: None (hybrid OA). Review time: 4-8 weeks. Scope: Hemostasis, thrombosis, coagulation, fibrinolysis, platelet function.
Accessible tier (IF 2-5)
These journals publish solid hematology research at accessible thresholds.
11. British Journal of Haematology (IF ~5)
BJH is one of the oldest hematology journals and covers all areas of the field. It publishes clinical research, guideline reviews, and educational content from the British Society for Haematology. BJH is well-respected and accessible for mid-tier hematology research.
Acceptance rate: ~25-30%. APC: None (hybrid OA). Review time: 4-6 weeks. Scope: All hematology, BSH guidelines, clinical and laboratory hematology.
12. Transfusion (IF ~3)
Transfusion is the journal of the AABB (formerly American Association of Blood Banks). It's the top venue for transfusion medicine research, including blood banking, transfusion safety, and transfusion-transmitted infections. If your paper is specifically about transfusion medicine, this specialized journal is the right home.
Acceptance rate: ~25-30%. APC: None (hybrid OA). Review time: 4-8 weeks. Scope: Transfusion medicine, blood banking, transfusion safety, donor management.
Decision framework
If your paper is about hematologic malignancy treatment (trials, outcomes), start with JCO (highest IF for clinical trials), then Blood, then The Lancet Haematology. For leukemia specifically, Leukemia (NPG) is the specialty venue.
If your paper is about hematologic malignancy biology (mechanisms, pathogenesis), Blood is the first target. Cancer Cell and Cancer Discovery also publish hematologic malignancy biology.
If your paper is about hemostasis, thrombosis, or coagulation, Blood covers hemostasis within its broad scope. JTH and Thrombosis & Haemostasis are the dedicated specialty journals.
If your paper is about stem cell transplant or gene therapy, Blood publishes the most transplant research. Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation (now Transplantation and Cellular Therapy, IF ~4) is the specialty option.
If your paper is about red cell disorders or hemoglobinopathies, Blood is the primary venue. The Lancet Haematology publishes high-impact sickle cell research. AJH is good for clinical management studies.
If your paper is about transfusion medicine, Transfusion (AABB) is the specialty home. Blood also publishes transfusion-related research.
If you need open access, Blood Advances (ASH) and HemaSphere (EHA) are the two society-backed OA options with the best reputations.
Common mistakes hematology researchers make when choosing journals
Submitting non-malignant hematology to oncology journals. JCO, Lancet Oncology, and JAMA Oncology publish hematologic malignancies, not benign hematology. A paper about von Willebrand disease or iron deficiency anemia won't fit these journals. Target Blood, JTH, or AJH instead.
Forgetting about JCO for malignancy trials. Many hematologists default to Blood for everything, but JCO (IF ~43) is actually higher-impact for clinical trial data. Major lymphoma and myeloma trials regularly appear in JCO rather than Blood.
Not using the ASH/EHA cascade. Blood has Blood Advances (OA). EHA has Haematologica and HemaSphere. If the flagship rejects your paper, stay in the society family for maximum visibility among your peers.
Submitting hemostasis papers to general hematology journals that don't prioritize them. Some general hematology journals are implicitly focused on malignancies. JTH and Thrombosis & Haemostasis have reviewers who understand coagulation assays and hemostasis methodology, giving your paper fairer evaluation.
Ignoring the malignant vs. non-malignant distinction. These are effectively two different fields sharing a name. A researcher studying AML treatment has little in common with one studying platelet signaling. Make sure your journal actually publishes in your subdomain by checking recent tables of contents.
How to use this list
Impact factor is one signal, not the whole picture. The journals ranked above vary in scope, editorial culture, and what they consider a strong submission. The right journal for your paper depends on how your study sits within the field's research agenda, not just on which title has the highest number next to it.
A paper with solid methodology and honest conclusions that doesn't quite reach the novelty bar of the top-ranked journals will fare better at the second or third tier than a round of rejections from journals above its weight class. Start with an honest assessment of where your work sits, not where you wish it sat.
Before targeting any journal on this list, verify the current author guidelines directly. Word limits, submission system requirements, and scope boundaries change. The rankings above reflect 2024 JCR data and current editorial positioning, but journals evolve.
Get your manuscript ready
Before submitting to any hematology journal, run your manuscript through a free Manusights scan to check formatting, reference accuracy, and reporting compliance. Hematology papers with flow cytometry data, genetic analyses, and survival curves are especially prone to figure labeling errors and statistical inconsistencies that a pre-submission check can catch.
Sources
Reference library
Use the core publishing datasets alongside this guide
This article answers one part of the publishing decision. The reference library covers the recurring questions that usually come next: how selective journals are, how long review takes, and what the submission requirements look like across journals.
Dataset / reference guide
Peer Review Timelines by Journal
Reference-grade journal timeline data that authors, labs, and writing centers can cite when discussing realistic review timing.
Dataset / benchmark
Biomedical Journal Acceptance Rates
A field-organized acceptance-rate guide that works as a neutral benchmark when authors are deciding how selective to target.
Reference table
Journal Submission Specs
A high-utility submission table covering word limits, figure caps, reference limits, and formatting expectations.
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