Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 Journals Explained
Published : April 21, 2025 . Last Updated : October 11, 2026
Whether you’re researchers seeking to publish your research findings, a PhD scholars looking for a suitable journal, simply curious about how academic publishing works, knowing how to search for a journal and examine its credibility is essential. With numerous journals out there, choosing the right one can be a daunting task. Here we need to know everything from journal search techniques, journal ranking systems, peer-reviewed journals, Scopus and Web of Science indexing, and the more reputable Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 journal categories.
What is Journal?
Quartiles are assigned within an index, not independently of it. If you are not certain your target journal is still indexed, see how to verify a Scopus indexed journal first.
A journal is a periodical publication that features scholarly articles written by researchers, professionals and academics. These articles provide the body of knowledge in a specific discipline. Journals can be peer-reviewed, subscription-based, open-access and indexed or non-indexed. Some of the popular academic publishers include Elsevier, Springer, Taylor & Francis, IEEE and Wiley.
Why Journal Search Crucial?
Effective journal search is main factor to enhancing the visibility, credibility and impact of your research. Using a journal finder can help you locate journals that relevant to your topic, with the right scope, indexing status, and publication speed.
Popular Journal Search Tools are:
Scopus Journal Finder
Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ)
Web of Science Journal Finder
SJR (Scimago Journal Rank) Portal
Elsevier Journal Finder
Quartiles come from a journal's rank inside an indexing database. For how the databases themselves differ, see Scopus vs Web of Science.
Quartiles come from a journal's rank inside an indexing database. For how the databases themselves differ, see Scopus vs Web of Science.
Scopus Indexed Journals
Scopus is another top reputable citation indexing database managed by Elsevier. A Scopus indexed journals ensures your paper reaches more audience and more likely to be cited. Many researchers looking for free Scopus indexed journals with fast publication, while others prefer paid Scopus indexed journals for quick and guaranteed processing. Options include both paid journals and free journals with high impact factors.
Scopus Indexed Journals: Paid vs. Unpaid and Fast Publication Options
Scopus is Elsevier's abstract and citation database, and the source of SJR and CiteScore. A journal can be in Scopus, in Web of Science, in both, or in neither.
More detail: Scopus indexed journals.
Free Scopus Indexed Journals: These are often open-access journals that don’t charge for publication or review. They can be time-consuming and more selective.
Fast Publishing Scopus Indexed Journals: Authors looking for fast turnaround often search for paid Scopus indexed journals in India, fast publication journal Scopus, fast publishing Scopus journals with peer review.
Paid Scopus Indexed Journals: Many journals charge an Article Processing Charge (APC). In return, authors may experience quick response time and guaranteed publication if the manuscripts adheres quality standards.
What are Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4 Journals?
Journals are ranked into four quartiles Q1 to Q4 based on citation metrics like JCR and SJR. Q1 journals are in the top 25% of their field and are considered the most prestigious. Q2 to Q4 follow in descending order of impact.
How a Journal's Rank Becomes Its Quartile
Quartiles come from rank within a subject category, not from the score itself. Divide the category into four equal parts: a journal in the top 25% is Q1, the next 25% is Q2, then Q3, and the bottom 25% is Q4.
A journal ranked 42nd out of 198 in its category sits at the 79th percentile, which places it in Q1. The same journal can hold a different quartile in a second category, because the ranking is calculated separately in each one.
| Quartile | Percentile | Position in category |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 75% and above | Top 25% of journals |
| Q2 | 50% to 74.9% | Second 25% |
| Q3 | 25% to 49.9% | Third 25% |
| Q4 | Below 25% | Bottom 25% |
Where to find your journal's rank
- Scimago (free) — open scimagojr.com, search the journal, and read the category table. It shows the quartile directly, by category and by year.
- Journal Citation Reports — needs an institutional subscription. Your library may provide access. JCR quartiles are based on Impact Factor; Scimago quartiles are based on SJR, so the two can differ for the same journal.
Check which source your university accepts. Some departments recognise only JCR quartiles, some accept Scopus and Scimago. Confirm with your research section before you choose a journal on quartile alone.
Three things the quartile does not tell you
- Whether the journal is currently indexed. A journal can hold a historical quartile and have since been discontinued from Scopus. Verify current indexing at the source.
- Whether your university accepts it. Quartile and institutional recognition are separate questions.
- Whether your paper fits. A Q1 journal outside your topic's scope will desk reject faster than a Q2 journal inside it.
Shortlisting journals for your paper?
Our free journal shortlist worksheet calculates quartile and percentile for thirty journals at once, with a submission tracker and a verification checklist.
Download the worksheet (Excel)
If you would rather we did the shortlisting, send us your abstract and we will come back with journals that fit your topic and your university's requirement, with the indexing verified. Talk to us or call +91 87547 14627.
Common questions about quartiles
Is Q1 always better than Q2?
For most university requirements, yes — Q1 and Q2 are usually what counts. But a Q2 journal whose scope matches your work precisely is a better submission than a Q1 journal that will desk reject you. Fit first, quartile second.
Why does my journal show different quartiles?
Two reasons. First, a journal sits in more than one subject category and can hold a different quartile in each. Second, Scimago quartiles use SJR and JCR quartiles use Impact Factor, so the same journal can be Q1 in one and Q2 in the other.
Does a higher impact factor mean a better quartile?
Not necessarily. Quartile is relative to the category. An impact factor of 3.0 might be Q1 in a small humanities category and Q3 in a large medical one.
Can a journal change quartile?
Yes, every year. Quartiles are recalculated annually, so check the year that applies to your submission — and keep a dated screenshot of the quartile at the time you submitted.
Journal Impact Factor and JCR Rankings
JCR:
Journal Citation Reports (JCR) by Clarivate ranks journals by their Impact Factor, a measures of how articles are being cited.
Web of Science Journal Impact Factor:
The impact factor means the yearly average number of citations to recent articles published in that journal. Researchers often consult the JCR journal list and Web of Science journal ranking to select the most influential publications.
List of peer-Reviewed and International Journals:
When selecting a journal, ensure it is peer-reviewed and meet all academic rigor, make sure it is indexed in Web of Science, Scopus and PubMed and ensure it is international to offers a wider readership and citation base.
For eg:
The Lancet (Q1, Scopus, WoS)
Nature (Q1, WoS, Scopus)
IEEE Transactions (Q1, Scopus)
You can find a list of journals, journal name list and list of international journals in various subject-specific directories or databases like SCImago or Web of Science.
Conclusion
Your academic visibility and citation rate experience strong influence from suitable publication journals. For your research to find acceptance in any journal it must match the specific focus and ranking of Q1 journal publications as well as fast publication Scopus journals or Web of Science indexed publications.
Need help for finding the right? If you’re struggling by choosing the right journals, consider our best publication services to prepare your manuscript for Q1 and Q2 journals.