2026 data, updated August 2026
NEJM is the more cited journal: its 2026 Journal Metrics Score is 29.8 against 19.7 for The Lancet, about 51% higher. Both are Q1 journals in their best subfield. The Lancet is the larger journal, with 1,484 papers in 2025 against 987 for NEJM.
| Measure | NEJM | The Lancet |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Journal Metrics Score | 29.8 | 19.7 |
| Best subfield quartile | Q1 | Q1 |
| Rank in field | #10 of 6,272 in Medicine | #23 of 6,272 in Medicine |
| Acceptance rate (publisher-reported) | Not published | Not published |
| Median days, submission to acceptance | No PubMed data | 41 days |
| Access model | Subscription or hybrid | Subscription or hybrid |
| Indicative APC (OpenAlex) | None on record | $6,830 |
| Papers published in 2025 | 987 | 1,484 |
| h-index (OpenAlex) | 1,507 | 1,207 |
| Publisher | Massachusetts Medical Society | Elsevier BV |
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.
NEJM is the more cited journal: its 2026 Journal Metrics Score is 29.8 against 19.7 for The Lancet, about 51% 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.
NEJM does not publish an acceptance rate. The Lancet does not publish an acceptance rate. Without published rates for both, compare their field rank and scope instead.
NEJM is not fully open access. The Lancet is not fully open access; OpenAlex lists an indicative open-access fee of $6,830. Confirm current fees on each journal's website.