Nano Letters 'Under Review': What Each Status Means and When to Expect a Decision
If your Nano Letters submission shows Under Review, here is what each status means and when to follow up.
What to do next
Already submitted to Nano Letters? Use this page to interpret the status and choose the next step.
The useful next step is understanding what the status usually means at Nano Letters, how long the wait normally runs, and when a follow-up is actually reasonable.
Nano Letters review timeline: what the data shows
Time to first decision is the most actionable number. What happens after varies by manuscript and reviewer availability.
What shapes the timeline
- Desk decisions are fast. Scope problems surface within days.
- Reviewer availability is the main variable after triage. Specialized topics take longer to assign.
- Revision rounds reset the clock. Major revision typically adds 6-12 weeks per round.
What to do while waiting
- Track status in the submission portal — status changes signal active review.
- Wait at least the journal's stated median before sending a status inquiry.
- Prepare revision materials in parallel if you expect a revise-and-resubmit decision.
_Last reviewed: 2026-05-16._
Quick answer: Nano Letters has a 2024 JCR impact factor of 9.6, accepts about 30 percent of submissions, and reports a median first-decision time of 6 to 10 weeks. If still Under Review past 2 weeks, you have likely cleared the initial editorial screen.
Submission portal and editorial contact: Nano Letters uses ACS Paragon Plus at acsparagonplus.acs.org. Editorial questions go to eic@nanolett.acs.org, referencing your manuscript ID.
Nano Letters desk-rejects roughly 50 to 60 percent in 7 to 14 days. If past that window, peer review is active.
While you wait
A Nano Letters submission readiness check flags letters-format-fit, characterization-completeness, and broader-significance issues that drive most desk rejections.
Nano Letters's review pipeline
Status | What is happening | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|
Submitted to Journal | Administrative processing | Day 0 to 2 |
With Editor | Editor evaluating desk-screen fit | Days 2 to 14 |
Under Review | Reviewers invited or actively reviewing | Days 14 to 70 |
Required Reviews Complete | Editor synthesizing reports | 5 to 10 days |
Decision in Process | Editor finalizing decision letter | 3 to 7 days |
Decision Sent | Reject, R&R, or accept | Check email |
The editorial desk screen (about 50 to 60 percent rejected)
Nano Letters editors evaluate letters-format suitability, characterization, and significance. The letters format requires a sharp single-result paper, not a comprehensive multi-result study.
Day 0: ACS Paragon Plus upload
The portal accepts the package and routes to a handling editor.
Days 1 to 14: Editor desk-screen
The handling editor reads the paper and decides whether to invite reviewers.
Days 14 to 28: Reviewer invitations
Two to three reviewers with nanoscience expertise.
Days 21 to 70: Peer review
Reviewer reports return on a 4 to 8 week cadence.
Days 70 to 91: First editorial decision
Major revision is the most common outcome.
Days 91 to 240: Revision rounds and acceptance
Single-revision acceptances run roughly 4 to 6 months.
When to worry
- Rejection within 1 to 5 days: Administrative issue or scope mismatch.
- Rejection within 7 to 14 days: Desk rejection.
- Still Under Review after 3 weeks: Good sign.
- Still Under Review after 10 weeks: Reviewer delay.
Readiness check
While you wait on Nano Letters, scan your next manuscript.
The scan takes about 1-2 minutes. Use the result to decide whether to revise before the decision comes back.
What to do while waiting
- Do not contact during the first 8 weeks unless urgent.
- Prepare a point-by-point response template focused on letters-format compression and characterization completeness.
How Nano Letters compares to nearby alternatives
Feature | Nano Letters | Advanced Materials | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Desk rejection rate | 50 to 60 percent | 40 to 50 percent | 50 to 60 percent | 60 to 70 percent |
Desk decision speed | 7 to 14 days | 7 to 14 days | 7 to 14 days | 14 to 21 days |
Total review time | 6 to 10 weeks | 6 to 10 weeks | 4 to 8 weeks | 6 to 10 weeks |
Editorial bar | Letters-format high-impact nanoscience | High-impact nanomaterials full-length | Broad nanoscience with significance | Top broad materials |
Submit if your paper passed the desk
If your Nano Letters paper is Under Review past 2 weeks, you have likely cleared the desk screen.
Think twice before assuming "Under Review" means safe
Nano Letters editors retain discretion to reject after partial review. Our Nano Letters manuscript fit check flags letters-format and characterization gaps before reviewers do.
For a free pre-upload diagnostic, use the Nano Letters manuscript fit check.
Last verified: Nano Letters author guidance, ACS Paragon Plus portal at acsparagonplus.acs.org, and editorial contact at eic@nanolett.acs.org.
The Nano Letters reviewer experience
Reviewer focus area | What Nano Letters asks reviewers to evaluate | How to prepare |
|---|---|---|
Letters-format suitability | Is this a sharp single-result paper? | Compress to one central finding |
Characterization | Are TEM/SEM/XPS/XRD reported as relevant? | Front-load characterization in main text |
Significance | Is the contribution at letters-impact bar? | Differentiate from full-length nanoscience venues |
Reproducibility | Could another lab reproduce? | Provide detailed synthesis protocols |
In our pre-submission review work with Nano Letters manuscripts
Three failure patterns generate the most consistent rejections.
Comprehensive paper submitted as letter. Nano Letters requires the sharp single-result format.
Characterization gaps for the central claim. Reviewers verify characterization rigor.
Wrong nanoscience venue chosen. Nano Letters competes with ACS Nano, Small, Advanced Materials.
Methodology note
This page was created from Nano Letters's public author guidance, ACS Paragon Plus documentation, and Manusights review work.
Frequently asked questions
Your manuscript has cleared ACS Paragon Plus admin checks and is being evaluated, either by the handling editor or by external peer reviewers. Nano Letters treats 'Under Review' as the active editorial period.
Nano Letters reports a median first-decision time of 6 to 10 weeks. Desk decisions usually arrive within 1 to 2 weeks; full peer-review decisions land 6 to 12 weeks after submission.
Wait at least 8 weeks before inquiring. Contact eic@nanolett.acs.org, referencing the manuscript ID.
Your paper passed the desk screen and reviewers are being invited. Nano Letters typically invites two to three reviewers with nanoscience expertise.
Yes. The 6 to 10 week median means roughly half of papers take longer.
Past 10 weeks is the right moment for a polite, factual inquiry. Silence in the first 6 weeks is normal.
Sources
Best next step
Use this page to interpret the status and choose the next sensible move.
For Nano Letters, the better next step is guidance on timing, follow-up, and what to do while the manuscript is still in the system. Save the Free Readiness Scan for the next paper you have not submitted yet.
Guidance first. Use the scan for the next manuscript.
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Where to go next
Start here
Same journal, next question
- Nano Letters Review Time: What Authors Can Actually Expect
- Nano Letters Submission Process: What Happens From Upload to First Decision
- How to Avoid Desk Rejection at Nano Letters
- Is Nano Letters a Good Journal? JIF, Scope & Fit Guide
- Nano Letters AI Policy: ChatGPT and Generative AI Disclosure Rules for Nano Letters Authors
- Nano Letters Pre Submission Checklist: 12 Items Editors Verify Before Peer Review
Supporting reads
Conversion step
Use this page to interpret the status and choose the next sensible move.
Guidance first. Use the scan for the next manuscript.