2026 data, updated August 2026
The Lancet is the more cited journal: its 2026 Journal Metrics Score is 19.7 against 4.3 for The BMJ, about 4.6 times higher. Both are Q1 journals in their best subfield. The BMJ is the larger journal, with 2,852 papers in 2025 against 1,484 for The Lancet.
| Measure | The Lancet | The BMJ |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Journal Metrics Score | 19.7 | 4.3 |
| Best subfield quartile | Q1 | Q1 |
| Rank in field | #23 of 6,272 in Medicine | #718 of 6,272 in Medicine |
| Acceptance rate (publisher-reported) | Not published | Not published |
| Median days, submission to acceptance | 41 days | No PubMed data |
| Access model | Subscription or hybrid | Subscription or hybrid |
| Indicative APC (OpenAlex) | $6,830 | None on record |
| Papers published in 2025 | 1,484 | 2,852 |
| h-index (OpenAlex) | 1,207 | 414 |
| Publisher | Elsevier BV | Not listed |
Bold marks the stronger figure where one direction is better. Journal Metrics Score is a two-year citation average; quartiles and field ranks are computed within OpenAlex subfields and site fields. Data source: OpenAlex (CC0). Submission-to-acceptance days come from PubMed received and accepted dates and include revisions. Acceptance rates appear only where the publisher publishes one. APCs are indicative OpenAlex values.
Fit with each journal's scope matters more than any single number. Read a few recent papers in your topic in both journals before deciding.
The Lancet is the more cited journal: its 2026 Journal Metrics Score is 19.7 against 4.3 for The BMJ, about 4.6 times higher. Both are Q1 journals in their best subfield. Which is better for your paper depends on its scope and how broad the result is; citation data measures the journals, not individual papers.
The Lancet does not publish an acceptance rate. The BMJ does not publish an acceptance rate. Without published rates for both, compare their field rank and scope instead.
The Lancet is not fully open access; OpenAlex lists an indicative open-access fee of $6,830. The BMJ is not fully open access. Confirm current fees on each journal's website.