Journal Impact Calculator Formula

Understand the math behind the journal impact calculator. Each variable explained with a worked example.

Use the Journal Impact Calculator

Formulas Used

Relative Citation Ratio

relative_impact = journal_citations / field_avg_citations

Expected Total Citations

expected_citations = journal_citations * num_articles

Field Average Expected

field_expected = field_avg_citations * num_articles

Citation Advantage

citation_advantage = (journal_citations - field_avg_citations) * num_articles

Variables

VariableDescriptionDefault
journal_citationsJournal Average Citations per Article8.5
field_avg_citationsField Average Citations per Article4.2
num_articlesYour Articles in This Journal3

How It Works

Understanding Relative Journal Impact

Comparing raw citation counts across fields is misleading because citation rates differ dramatically. The Relative Citation Ratio normalizes for this.

Formula

Relative Impact = Journal Avg Citations / Field Avg Citations

Citation Advantage = (Journal Avg - Field Avg) x Number of Articles

A ratio above 1.0 means the journal receives more citations than the field average. This helps researchers choose where to submit for maximum visibility.

Worked Example

A journal averages 8.5 citations per article vs. the field average of 4.2. The researcher has 3 articles there.

journal_citations = 8.5field_avg_citations = 4.2num_articles = 3
  1. 01Relative impact: 8.5 / 4.2 = 2.02
  2. 02Expected citations: 8.5 x 3 = 25.5
  3. 03Field expected: 4.2 x 3 = 12.6
  4. 04Citation advantage: (8.5 - 4.2) x 3 = 12.9

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good relative impact score?

A ratio above 1.0 means above-field-average. Ratios of 2.0+ indicate a top-tier journal in its field.

Should I only publish in high-impact journals?

Not necessarily. Consider fit, audience, turnaround time, and open access. A well-placed article in a specialized journal may have more practical impact.

How do I find field average citation rates?

Databases like Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar provide field-level citation benchmarks.

Ready to run the numbers?

Open Journal Impact Calculator