What is the Nature Communications JIF?

The JIF is 15.7 (2024 JCR). See the full year-by-year trend and category ranking in our Nature Communications JIF analysis.

What is the acceptance rate of Nature Communications?

Manusights currently treats ~20% as an estimate for Nature Communications, not an official journal-published rate. One common reason papers fail is treating it as 'rejected from nature' dump.

How long does Nature Communications take to review?

Nature Communications's current journal metrics list ~9 days to first editorial decision. Expect an editorial screen first, then direct submission or transfer, then peer review.

How much does it cost to publish in Nature Communications?

Nature Communications applies a publication fee, and the current page-level figure we track is Verify current Nature Communications pricing page. Reconfirm the official pricing page before budgeting because publisher fees can change.

Is Nature Communications peer reviewed?

Yes, Nature Communications is fully peer reviewed. All submissions undergo rigorous peer review by 2-3 reviewers with relevant expertise. Detailed technical review expected. Reviewers asked about significance and technical soundness..

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Journal Guide

Publishing in Nature Communications: Fit, Timeline & Submission Guide

Q: Is Nature Communications a good journal?

Nature Communications is a strong target if nature Communications doesn't need your paper to reshape a field. It is a weaker fit if papers that feel like disappointment submissions, minimal revision from a Nature rejection, don't do well.

Q: What does Nature Communications look for in submissions?

Solid significance without requiring 'breakthrough': Nature Communications doesn't need your paper to reshape a field. It needs the work to be technically excellent and represent a meaningful advance. That's a different bar than Nature, and an honest one.

Q: What should I know before submitting to Nature Communications?

Nature Communications is where transfers often land. A significant portion of Nature Communications papers started as Nature or Nature journal submissions. The transfer system is active and efficient. If Nature suggests transfer, seriously consider it.

High-quality science across all fields: the accessible arm of Nature Publishing Group

Should you submit here?

Submit if nature Communications doesn't need your paper to reshape a field. Be careful if papers that feel like disappointment submissions, minimal revision from a Nature rejection, don't do well.

IF 15.7 · ~20% accepted · ~9 days to first editorial decisionLast reviewed Mar 12, 20261 official · 1 estimated · 1 unverified signals

Best fit if

Nature Communications doesn't need your paper to reshape a field

Not ideal if

Papers that feel like disappointment submissions, minimal revision from a Nature rejection, don't do well

Also compare

Scienceand Cell

15.7

Impact Factor (2024)

~20%

Acceptance Rate

~9 days to first editorial decision

Time to First Decision

Submission guide

Nature Communications Submission Guide

A package-first Nature Communications submission guide focused on article shape, cover letter discipline, readiness checks, and pre-upload fixes.

Journal assessment

Is Nature Communications a Good Journal? A Practical Fit Verdict for Authors

A practical Nature Communications fit verdict for authors deciding whether their paper is broad, complete, and credible enough for a selective Nature-branded audience.

Desk rejection

How to Avoid Desk Rejection at Nature Communications (2026)

How to avoid desk rejection at Nature Communications by proving real advance, stronger completeness, and broader field consequence.

Comparison guide

Nature Family: Choosing the Right Journal

Nature family journal guide: Nature through Nature Communications. The hierarchy, transfer cascade, and how to choose the right one.

What Nature Communications Publishes

Nature Communications publishes high-quality research across all areas of natural sciences. It's positioned below Nature but above most specialty journals. It occupies the sweet spot for work that's strong but doesn't quite reach Nature's 'field-changing' bar. Think of it as Nature's workhorse sibling: rigorous, broad-scope, but more realistic about what constitutes publishable science.

Significant advances across all natural sciences
Research representing substantial advances but not requiring Nature-level 'transformation'
Interdisciplinary work spanning multiple fields
Technical and methodological innovations with broad applicability
Strong science that fits the Nature brand but not flagship-level significance

Editor Insight

“Nature Communications is the honest middle ground. It won't pretend your solid paper is field-changing, but it won't reject good work for failing to revolutionize a field. If your paper is technically strong and advances understanding, it belongs here. Don't apologize for not being in Nature flagship; Nature Communications papers are well-read and well-cited.”

What Nature Communications Editors Look For

Solid significance without requiring 'breakthrough'

Nature Communications doesn't need your paper to reshape a field. It needs the work to be technically excellent and represent a meaningful advance. That's a different bar than Nature, and an honest one.

Broad scope, broad appeal

Like Nature, the readership spans all sciences. Your paper should be understandable to scientists outside your field. Jargon-heavy specialist papers belong in specialty journals.

Technical rigor

The methodological bar is high. Nature Communications papers should be bulletproof on methods. Reviewers will scrutinize your statistics, controls, and reproducibility.

Complete stories

Don't submit preliminary findings hoping to get into the Nature family. Nature Communications wants complete, well-developed studies with solid conclusions.

Open access commitment

Nature Communications is fully open access. Authors who believe in open science and have funding to support it are the natural audience.

Clear writing for non-specialists

The abstract and introduction must work for scientists in other fields. If only specialists can understand why your paper matters, narrow your journal target.

Why Papers Get Rejected

These patterns appear repeatedly in manuscripts that don't make it past Nature Communications's editorial review:

Treating it as 'rejected from Nature' dump

Papers that feel like disappointment submissions, minimal revision from a Nature rejection, don't do well. Reframe the work for Nature Communications' actual audience and standards.

Overselling modest advances

Nature Communications has a realistic bar. Claiming 'fundamental shift' when you've made an incremental advance damages credibility. Be honest about what you've accomplished.

Ignoring the APC

The article processing charge is substantial. Confirm the current journal pricing page before quoting a specific APC in public copy. If you don't have funding, explore waivers or institutional agreements early. Don't get to acceptance and scramble.

Specialist-only framing

Writing for experts in your narrow subfield when Nature Communications readers span all sciences. Your first paragraph should hook a curious physicist reading a biology paper.

Weak data availability

Nature Communications takes data sharing seriously. Inadequate data availability statements or restricted access without justification creates problems.

Underestimating review rigor

Some authors assume Nature Communications is 'easier' than Nature. The technical bar is comparable. The significance bar is lower, but the methods scrutiny is just as intense.

Does your manuscript avoid these patterns?

The Free Readiness Scan reads your full manuscript against Nature Communications's criteria and flags the specific issues most likely to cause rejection.

Run Free Readiness Scan →

Insider Tips from Nature Communications Authors

Nature Communications is where transfers often land

A significant portion of Nature Communications papers started as Nature or Nature journal submissions. The transfer system is active and efficient. If Nature suggests transfer, seriously consider it.

The APC is real: plan for it

At €5,390 (~$5,890 USD), the open access fee matters. Budget for it from the start. Waivers exist for researchers without funding, but approval isn't automatic.

Editorial scope is genuinely broad

Unlike Nature, which has implicit preferences, Nature Communications really does publish across all sciences. Physics, biology, chemistry, earth sciences: if it's good, it fits.

Reviews are typically constructive

Nature Communications reviewers tend to be substantive rather than dismissive. Expect detailed methodological feedback, not just 'not significant enough.'

Revision requests are usually reasonable

Unlike Cell, Nature Communications doesn't typically ask for years of additional experiments. Revisions are usually achievable in 2-3 months.

The editorial process is professional

Professional editors (not academics handling papers on the side) manage submissions. This means consistent, relatively fast handling.

Interdisciplinary work does particularly well

If your paper bridges fields that don't usually talk, Nature Communications is often more receptive than specialty journals in either field.

High citation potential

Open access plus Nature brand plus broad scope equals visibility. Nature Communications papers are well-cited relative to similar specialty journals.

The Nature Communications Submission Process

Direct submission or transfer

Transfer can accelerate the process

Submit directly or accept transfer from Nature/Nature family journals. Transferred papers may get expedited handling if reviews are shared.

Editorial assessment

1-2 weeks

Professional editors assess scope, significance, and technical adequacy. Relatively high desk rejection rate for papers outside scope or below the bar.

Peer review

4-6 weeks

2-3 reviewers with relevant expertise. Detailed technical review expected. Reviewers asked about significance and technical soundness.

Decision

~30 days to first decision

Accept, reject, or revise. Revision requests usually specific and achievable.

Revision

Usually 2-3 months allowed

Address reviewer concerns with point-by-point response. Additional experiments may be requested but typically not extensive.

Acceptance and APC

Publication typically 1-2 weeks after acceptance

Upon acceptance, APC invoice issued. Payment required before publication. Waiver requests should be submitted early.

Nature Communications by the Numbers

2024 Impact Factor(Clarivate JCR)	15.7
Submissions per year	~30,000
Acceptance rate	~20%
Articles published per year	~6,500
Time to first editorial decision(Median, per journal metrics page)	~9 days
Time to acceptance	~243 days median
Open access	100% (CC-BY)
Article processing charge(Accessible page confirms the journal is fully open access, but the current APC amount needs manual confirmation.)	Verify current Nature Communications pricing page

Before you submit

Nature Communications accepts a small fraction of submissions. Make your attempt count.

Start with the Free Readiness Scan. Unlock the Full AI Diagnostic for $29. If you need deeper scientific feedback, choose Expert Review. The full report is calibrated to Nature Communications.

Run Free Readiness Scan See a sample report

Article Types

Article

No strict limit; typically 4,000-6,000 words

Full research reports across all natural sciences

Review

Variable

thorough reviews of important topics (usually commissioned)

Perspective

~3,000 words

Forward-looking commentary on significant topics (usually invited)

Landmark Nature Communications Papers

Papers that defined fields and changed science:

Massively parallel single-cell RNA-seq using nanoliter droplets - 10x Chromium platform (Zheng et al., 2017)
thorough molecular characterization of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (Robertson et al., 2017)
The global distribution and burden of dengue (Bhatt et al., 2013)
Multi-omics profiling of the tumor microenvironment - pan-cancer atlas studies (various, 2018-2022)
Deep learning for protein structure prediction benchmarks and community assessments (CASP-related, multiple years)

Preparing a Nature Communications Submission?

Get pre-submission feedback from reviewers who've published in Nature Communications and know exactly what editors look for.

Run Free Readiness Scan

Need expert depth? See Expert Review Options

NDA-protected

Confidential

Primary Fields

All Natural SciencesPhysicsChemistryBiologyEarth SciencesMaterials ScienceEngineeringInterdisciplinary Research

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中文版本

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Expert revision help to strengthen your manuscript and resubmit with confidence.

Reviewer Response Help

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Reference library

Compare Nature Communications with the broader publishing context

This journal guide is the best starting point for Nature Communications. The reference library covers the surrounding questions authors usually ask next: whether the package is ready, what drives desk rejection, how neighboring journals compare, and what the submission constraints look like across the field.

Open the reference library →

Checklist system / operational asset

Elite Submission Checklist

A flagship pre-submission checklist that turns journal-fit, desk-reject, and package-quality lessons into one operational final-pass audit.

Flagship report / decision support

Desk Rejection Report

A canonical desk-rejection report that organizes the most common editorial failure modes, what they look like, and how to prevent them.

Dataset / reference hub

Journal Intelligence Dataset

A canonical journal dataset that combines selectivity posture, review timing, submission requirements, and Manusights fit signals in one citeable reference asset.

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.