Primary research
Brain
Article type
Primary research
Word limit
~4,000
Abstract
Unstructured
Abstract words
250
Figures / tables
6 total
Refs
60
Supplementary
Allowed; verify current instructions
Reference notes
Coverage
57 journals
Sources
Journal Intelligence Dataset + publisher author instructions (Feb 2026)
Last reviewed
February 2026
Prepared by the Manusights editorial team.
Submission package reference
Journal Submission Specifications: Word Limits, Figure Limits & Reference Caps
Journal submission requirements by journal vary much more than most authors expect, from NEJM's strict 3,000-word cap and 35-reference limit to PLOS ONE and eLife with no hard limits at all. This reference page replaces scattered author-instructions tabs with one searchable comparison table.
This table covers 33 journals. Word counts are for the main text unless otherwise noted and typically exclude abstract, methods, references, and figure legends, but definitions vary by journal. Always verify against current author instructions before submission.
Quick orientation
Use this page when the journal shortlist is set and the question is whether the package fits the format constraints.
Search, sort, and export submission limits across 33 journals, including word limits, abstract format, figure allowances, reference caps, and supplementary-material rules.
57 journalsPrimary research defaultsExportable view
Important note
These are working reference values based on published author instructions as of early 2026. Always verify what the journal counts in the word limit and confirm current figure and reference limits on the live author-instructions page before submission.
10
Strict ≤3,000w
14
Moderate 3–6k words
8
Flexible 6k+ or none
16
Structured abstract
Journal submission requirements by journal
Filter by journal or format rule. Export the current view while building a submission-ready checklist for your manuscript.
33 of 33 rows
Visible rows
33
Visible journals
33
Structured abstracts
33
Quick filters
Article type
Export
Primary research
Cancer CellArticle type
Primary research
Word limit
~6,000–8,000
Abstract
Unstructured
Abstract words
150
Figures / tables
7 main figures
Refs
100
Supplementary
Allowed; verify current instructions
Primary research
CellArticle type
Primary research
Word limit
~6,000–8,000
Abstract
Unstructured
Abstract words
150
Figures / tables
7–8 main figures
Refs
100
Supplementary
Allowed; verify current instructions
Primary research
Cell Host & Microbe
Article type
Primary research
Word limit
~5,000–7,000
Abstract
Unstructured
Abstract words
150
Figures / tables
7 main figures
Refs
100
Supplementary
Allowed; verify current instructions
Primary research
Cell Stem Cell
Article type
Primary research
Word limit
~5,000–7,000
Abstract
Unstructured
Abstract words
150
Figures / tables
7 main figures
Refs
100
Supplementary
Allowed; verify current instructions
Primary research
CirculationArticle type
Primary research
Word limit
~4,000
Abstract
Structured
Abstract words
250
Figures / tables
6 total
Refs
75
Supplementary
Allowed; verify current instructions
Primary research
Circulation Research
Article type
Primary research
Word limit
~5,000
Abstract
Structured
Abstract words
250
Figures / tables
6 total
Refs
60
Supplementary
Allowed; verify current instructions
Primary research
Current Biology
Article type
Primary research
Word limit
~4,500
Abstract
Unstructured
Abstract words
150
Figures / tables
6 main figures
Refs
50
Supplementary
Allowed; verify current instructions
Primary research
Developmental Cell
Article type
Primary research
Word limit
~5,000–7,000
Abstract
Unstructured
Abstract words
150
Figures / tables
7 main figures
Refs
100
Supplementary
Allowed; verify current instructions
Primary research
eLifeArticle type
Primary research
Word limit
No strict limit
Abstract
Unstructured
Abstract words
No strict limit
Figures / tables
No strict limit
Refs
No strict limit
Supplementary
Allowed; verify current instructions
Primary research
European Heart JournalArticle type
Primary research
Word limit
~4,000
Abstract
Structured
Abstract words
250
Figures / tables
6 total
Refs
50
Supplementary
Allowed; verify current instructions
Primary research
JACC
Article type
Primary research
Word limit
~5,000
Abstract
Structured
Abstract words
300
Figures / tables
7 total
Refs
100
Supplementary
Allowed; verify current instructions
Primary research
JAMAArticle type
Primary research
Word limit
~2,800
Abstract
Structured
Abstract words
300
Figures / tables
5 total
Refs
35
Supplementary
Allowed; verify current instructions
Primary research
JAMA Cardiology
Article type
Primary research
Word limit
~2,800
Abstract
Structured
Abstract words
300
Figures / tables
5 total
Refs
35
Supplementary
Allowed; verify current instructions
Primary research
JAMA OncologyArticle type
Primary research
Word limit
~2,800
Abstract
Structured
Abstract words
300
Figures / tables
5 total
Refs
35
Supplementary
Allowed; verify current instructions
Primary research
Journal of Clinical OncologyArticle type
Primary research
Word limit
~4,000
Abstract
Structured
Abstract words
250
Figures / tables
5 total
Refs
60
Supplementary
Allowed; verify current instructions
Primary research
Journal of Neuroscience
Article type
Primary research
Word limit
~10,000
Abstract
Structured
Abstract words
250
Figures / tables
10 total
Refs
No strict limit
Supplementary
Allowed; verify current instructions
Primary research
Lancet Infectious Diseases
Article type
Primary research
Word limit
~3,000
Abstract
Structured
Abstract words
250
Figures / tables
5 total
Refs
60
Supplementary
Allowed; verify current instructions
Primary research
Lancet Neurology
Article type
Primary research
Word limit
~3,000
Abstract
Structured
Abstract words
250
Figures / tables
5 total
Refs
60
Supplementary
Allowed; verify current instructions
Primary research
Molecular Psychiatry
Article type
Primary research
Word limit
~4,000
Abstract
Unstructured
Abstract words
200
Figures / tables
6 total
Refs
60
Supplementary
Allowed; verify current instructions
Primary research
NatureArticle type
Primary research
Word limit
~3,000 (main text)
Abstract
Unstructured
Abstract words
150
Figures / tables
6 display items
Refs
50
Supplementary
Allowed; verify current instructions
Primary research
Nature Chemical Biology
Article type
Primary research
Word limit
~3,000
Abstract
Unstructured
Abstract words
150
Figures / tables
6 display items
Refs
50
Supplementary
Allowed; verify current instructions
Primary research
Nature MedicineArticle type
Primary research
Word limit
~3,000–5,000
Abstract
Unstructured
Abstract words
150
Figures / tables
6 display items
Refs
60
Supplementary
Allowed; verify current instructions
Primary research
Nature Neuroscience
Article type
Primary research
Word limit
~3,500
Abstract
Unstructured
Abstract words
150
Figures / tables
8 display items
Refs
60
Supplementary
Allowed; verify current instructions
Primary research
Nature Structural & Molecular Biology
Article type
Primary research
Word limit
~3,000
Abstract
Unstructured
Abstract words
150
Figures / tables
6 display items
Refs
50
Supplementary
Allowed; verify current instructions
Primary research
New England Journal of MedicineArticle type
Primary research
Word limit
~3,000
Abstract
Structured
Abstract words
250
Figures / tables
5 total
Refs
70
Supplementary
Allowed; verify current instructions
Primary research
PLOS Medicine
Article type
Primary research
Word limit
~3,000
Abstract
Structured
Abstract words
300
Figures / tables
5 total
Refs
50
Supplementary
Allowed; verify current instructions
Primary research
ScienceArticle type
Primary research
Word limit
~4,500
Abstract
Unstructured
Abstract words
125
Figures / tables
6–8 display items
Refs
55
Supplementary
Allowed; verify current instructions
Primary research
Science Translational Medicine
Article type
Primary research
Word limit
~4,500
Abstract
Structured
Abstract words
225
Figures / tables
8 display items
Refs
60
Supplementary
Allowed; verify current instructions
Primary research
The BMJArticle type
Primary research
Word limit
~3,400
Abstract
Structured
Abstract words
300
Figures / tables
6 total
Refs
40
Supplementary
Allowed; verify current instructions
Primary research
The EMBO Journal
Article type
Primary research
Word limit
~7,000
Abstract
Unstructured
Abstract words
200
Figures / tables
7 main figures
Refs
100
Supplementary
Allowed; verify current instructions
Primary research
The LancetArticle type
Primary research
Word limit
~3,000
Abstract
Unstructured summary
Abstract words
150
Figures / tables
5 total
Refs
60
Supplementary
Allowed; verify current instructions
Primary research
The Lancet OncologyArticle type
Primary research
Word limit
~3,000
Abstract
Structured
Abstract words
250
Figures / tables
5 total
Refs
60
Supplementary
Allowed; verify current instructions
| Journal | Article type | Word limit | Figures / tables |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brain | Primary research | ~4,000 | 6 total |
| Cancer Cell | Primary research | ~6,000–8,000 | 7 main figures |
| Cell | Primary research | ~6,000–8,000 | 7–8 main figures |
| Cell Host & Microbe | Primary research | ~5,000–7,000 | 7 main figures |
| Cell Stem Cell | Primary research | ~5,000–7,000 | 7 main figures |
| Circulation | Primary research | ~4,000 | 6 total |
| Circulation Research | Primary research | ~5,000 | 6 total |
| Current Biology | Primary research | ~4,500 | 6 main figures |
| Developmental Cell | Primary research | ~5,000–7,000 | 7 main figures |
| eLife | Primary research | No strict limit | No strict limit |
| European Heart Journal | Primary research | ~4,000 | 6 total |
| JACC | Primary research | ~5,000 | 7 total |
| JAMA | Primary research | ~2,800 | 5 total |
| JAMA Cardiology | Primary research | ~2,800 | 5 total |
| JAMA Oncology | Primary research | ~2,800 | 5 total |
| Journal of Clinical Oncology | Primary research | ~4,000 | 5 total |
| Journal of Neuroscience | Primary research | ~10,000 | 10 total |
| Lancet Infectious Diseases | Primary research | ~3,000 | 5 total |
| Lancet Neurology | Primary research | ~3,000 | 5 total |
| Molecular Psychiatry | Primary research | ~4,000 | 6 total |
| Nature | Primary research | ~3,000 (main text) | 6 display items |
| Nature Chemical Biology | Primary research | ~3,000 | 6 display items |
| Nature Medicine | Primary research | ~3,000–5,000 | 6 display items |
| Nature Neuroscience | Primary research | ~3,500 | 8 display items |
| Nature Structural & Molecular Biology | Primary research | ~3,000 | 6 display items |
| New England Journal of Medicine | Primary research | ~3,000 | 5 total |
| PLOS Medicine | Primary research | ~3,000 | 5 total |
| Science | Primary research | ~4,500 | 6–8 display items |
| Science Translational Medicine | Primary research | ~4,500 | 8 display items |
| The BMJ | Primary research | ~3,400 | 6 total |
| The EMBO Journal | Primary research | ~7,000 | 7 main figures |
| The Lancet | Primary research | ~3,000 | 5 total |
| The Lancet Oncology | Primary research | ~3,000 | 5 total |
Patterns worth knowing
Patterns worth knowing
Submission specs are not arbitrary trivia. They often reveal what kind of paper the journal expects and how much narrative or evidentiary compression the editors assume.
The 3,000-word club
The most prestigious clinical journals (NEJM, Lancet, JAMA, BMJ) are also some of the most restrictive on word count. Their 3,000-word limit covers the body text only; methods, abstract, references, and figure legends sit on top. The practical ceiling for a submission-ready manuscript to these journals is closer to 7,000–8,000 words total.
Cell Press vs. Nature: different philosophies
Cell Press journals (Cell, Neuron, Immunity, Cancer Cell) allow 6,000–8,000 word articles with extensive supplementary data: they expect full mechanistic stories. Nature family journals (Nature, Nature Medicine, Nature Genetics) cap main text at around 3,000 words but allow extensive supplements. Same prestige tier, opposite length philosophy.
Reference limits matter most at clinical journals
JAMA's 35-reference limit is strict and enforced. NEJM allows 70. Many basic science journals (PNAS, Genome Biology, eLife) have no limit. If you're coming from a basic science background and submitting to a clinical journal for the first time, the reference cap is the adjustment that catches most authors off guard.
Open-access journals are generally more flexible
PLOS ONE, eLife, Scientific Reports, BMJ Open, and BMC Medicine don't impose strict word or figure limits. This isn't lower standards. It's a different philosophy. The page cost concern that drove strict limits at traditional print journals simply doesn't apply when publication is digital and costs are covered by APCs.
References
These sources cover the publisher and editorial policies behind the submission limits summarized above.
- International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). Recommendations for the Conduct, Reporting, Editing, and Publication of Scholarly Work in Medical Journals. Updated 2023. [icmje.org ↗]
- Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). (2017). Core Practices for journal publishers and editors. Retrieved February 2026. [publicationethics.org ↗]
- Springer Nature. Author submission guidelines. Retrieved February 2026. [springernature.com/authors ↗]
- PLOS ONE. Guidelines for authors. Retrieved February 2026. [journals.plos.org ↗]
- Cell Press. Author guidelines: general policies. Elsevier. Retrieved February 2026. [cell.com/author-guidelines ↗]
Version history
February 2026
Reviewed the canonical primary-research specification dataset against current publisher guidance and moved the page onto a single exportable source of truth.
December 2025
Expanded the reference table to 57 journals and assembled the first cross-journal comparison set for submission-limit benchmarking.
Data note: Specifications were compiled from individual journal author instructions as of February 2026. Values marked with ~ are approximate, and journals occasionally revise how they count words, figures, and references. Verify the live instructions before submission.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
What word count limits apply to original research articles at top journals?
Word count limits vary considerably. Nature limits original research articles to 3,000 words of main text. Science allows 4,500 words. Cell allows 6,000-8,000 words depending on article type. NEJM original articles are capped at 3,400 words. JAMA research articles allow 3,000 words. Nature Communications and Scientific Reports are more permissive at 5,000-8,000 words. Always check the current author instructions for your specific article type - Brief Communications, Letters, and Short Reports have tighter limits than full Research Articles.
How many figures and tables are typically allowed?
Most top journals limit main-text figures to 5-6 for Letters or Brief Communications and 6-8 for full Research Articles. Nature allows 5 figures or tables in the main text; additional data can go in Extended Data (up to 10 items). Cell allows 7 figures. NEJM typically allows 4-5 tables or figures in the main text. Additional figures and tables belong in Supplementary Information. Reviewers and editors pay close attention to whether main-text figures are all essential - unnecessary figures are a common revision target.
What file formats do journals accept for manuscript and figure submission?
Most journals accept manuscripts in Microsoft Word (.docx) or LaTeX format via submission systems like Editorial Manager or ScholarOne. For figures, high-resolution TIFF (300-600 DPI for photographs, 600-1200 DPI for line art) is the most widely accepted format. PDF and EPS are also commonly accepted. Avoid low-resolution figures - they are a common cause of revision requests. For revision submissions, many journals also accept a tracked-changes Word document alongside the clean version.
Ready to apply this to a real draft?
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