What is the PRISMA 2020 checklist?

It is the 27-item reporting checklist of the PRISMA 2020 statement for systematic reviews, 42 items when the sub-items are counted. It covers the title, abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion and other information such as registration, funding and data availability. It replaced the 2009 PRISMA checklist.

What is the PRISMA 2020 for Abstracts checklist?

A separate 12-item checklist for the abstract of a systematic review, published with PRISMA 2020. Item 2 of the main checklist points to it. It covers the title, objectives, eligibility criteria, information sources, risk of bias, synthesis methods, included studies, results, limitations, interpretation, funding and registration. Open it with the “Abstract (12 items)” tab.

How do I fill in the PRISMA checklist?

For each item, write where your review reports it in the “Location where item is reported” column, for example “Methods, Search strategy, p. 5; Supplementary file 1”. If an item does not apply, such as meta-analysis items in a narrative synthesis, mark it not applicable and say why. Download the Word file and upload it with your manuscript.

Do I need a PRISMA flow diagram as well as the checklist?

Yes, usually. Item 16a asks you to describe the search and selection process, ideally with a flow diagram, and most journals expect both. You can make the diagram with our free PRISMA flow diagram generator.

Is there a PRISMA 2026 checklist?

No. As of November 2026 the official PRISMA website lists PRISMA 2020 as the current statement, so use the PRISMA 2020 checklist plus any extension that fits your review.

Which PRISMA checklist do I need for a scoping review or a protocol?

Scoping reviews use PRISMA-ScR, with 20 essential and 2 optional items. Review protocols use PRISMA-P. Other extensions cover network meta-analyses (PRISMA-NMA), individual participant data (PRISMA-IPD) and literature searches (PRISMA-S).

Does PRISMA apply to a meta-analysis?

Yes. PRISMA 2020 is for systematic reviews with or without a meta-analysis. Items 13d, 13e, 13f, 20b, 20c and 20d cover the meta-analysis model, heterogeneity and sensitivity analyses.

What does item 27 on data, code and materials ask for?

It asks you to report which of these are publicly available and where: data collection forms, data extracted from the included studies, data used for all analyses, analytic code and any other materials. If something is not shared, say so; the item asks for transparency, not mandatory sharing.

Can I reuse the PRISMA 2020 checklist?

Yes. The PRISMA 2020 checklists are distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) licence, so you can copy and adapt them as long as you cite the PRISMA 2020 statement.

Are my answers stored anywhere?

No. The checklist runs in your browser and nothing is sent to a server. Your answers are kept in this browser’s local storage so they are still there when you come back; use “Clear answers” to remove them.

PRISMA 2020 Checklist

Mark each PRISMA 2020 item as reported or not applicable and note where it appears in your systematic review. Switch to the abstract tab for PRISMA 2020 for Abstracts. Download the completed checklist as a Word file for your submission. Your answers are saved in this browser only.

Manuscript title (optional)

0 of 42 items done

0 reported · 0 not applicable · 42 open

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Title

1
Title
Identify the report as a systematic review.

Abstract

2
Abstract
See the PRISMA 2020 for Abstracts checklist.

Introduction

3
Rationale
Describe the rationale for the review in the context of existing knowledge.
4
Objectives
Provide an explicit statement of the objective(s) or question(s) the review addresses.

Methods

5
Eligibility criteria
Specify the inclusion and exclusion criteria for the review and how studies were grouped for the syntheses.
6
Information sources
Specify all databases, registers, websites, organisations, reference lists and other sources searched or consulted to identify studies. Specify the date when each source was last searched or consulted.
7
Search strategy
Present the full search strategies for all databases, registers and websites, including any filters and limits used.
8
Selection process
Specify the methods used to decide whether a study met the inclusion criteria of the review, including how many reviewers screened each record and each report retrieved, whether they worked independently, and if applicable, details of automation tools used in the process.
9
Data collection process
Specify the methods used to collect data from reports, including how many reviewers collected data from each report, whether they worked independently, any processes for obtaining or confirming data from study investigators, and if applicable, details of automation tools used in the process.
10a
Data items
List and define all outcomes for which data were sought. Specify whether all results that were compatible with each outcome domain in each study were sought (e.g. for all measures, time points, analyses), and if not, the methods used to decide which results to collect.
10b
Data items
List and define all other variables for which data were sought (e.g. participant and intervention characteristics, funding sources). Describe any assumptions made about any missing or unclear information.
11
Study risk of bias assessment
Specify the methods used to assess risk of bias in the included studies, including details of the tool(s) used, how many reviewers assessed each study and whether they worked independently, and if applicable, details of automation tools used in the process.
12
Effect measures
Specify for each outcome the effect measure(s) (e.g. risk ratio, mean difference) used in the synthesis or presentation of results.
13a
Synthesis methods
Describe the processes used to decide which studies were eligible for each synthesis (e.g. tabulating the study intervention characteristics and comparing against the planned groups for each synthesis (item #5)).
13b
Synthesis methods
Describe any methods required to prepare the data for presentation or synthesis, such as handling of missing summary statistics, or data conversions.
13c
Synthesis methods
Describe any methods used to tabulate or visually display results of individual studies and syntheses.
13d
Synthesis methods
Describe any methods used to synthesize results and provide a rationale for the choice(s). If meta-analysis was performed, describe the model(s), method(s) to identify the presence and extent of statistical heterogeneity, and software package(s) used.
13e
Synthesis methods
Describe any methods used to explore possible causes of heterogeneity among study results (e.g. subgroup analysis, meta-regression).
13f
Synthesis methods
Describe any sensitivity analyses conducted to assess robustness of the synthesized results.
14
Reporting bias assessment
Describe any methods used to assess risk of bias due to missing results in a synthesis (arising from reporting biases).
15
Certainty assessment
Describe any methods used to assess certainty (or confidence) in the body of evidence for an outcome.

Results

16a
Study selection
Describe the results of the search and selection process, from the number of records identified in the search to the number of studies included in the review, ideally using a flow diagram.
16b
Study selection
Cite studies that might appear to meet the inclusion criteria, but which were excluded, and explain why they were excluded.
17
Study characteristics
Cite each included study and present its characteristics.
18
Risk of bias in studies
Present assessments of risk of bias for each included study.
19
Results of individual studies
For all outcomes, present, for each study: (a) summary statistics for each group (where appropriate) and (b) an effect estimate and its precision (e.g. confidence/credible interval), ideally using structured tables or plots.
20a
Results of syntheses
For each synthesis, briefly summarise the characteristics and risk of bias among contributing studies.
20b
Results of syntheses
Present results of all statistical syntheses conducted. If meta-analysis was done, present for each the summary estimate and its precision (e.g. confidence/credible interval) and measures of statistical heterogeneity. If comparing groups, describe the direction of the effect.
20c
Results of syntheses
Present results of all investigations of possible causes of heterogeneity among study results.
20d
Results of syntheses
Present results of all sensitivity analyses conducted to assess the robustness of the synthesized results.
21
Reporting biases
Present assessments of risk of bias due to missing results (arising from reporting biases) for each synthesis assessed.
22
Certainty of evidence
Present assessments of certainty (or confidence) in the body of evidence for each outcome assessed.

Discussion

23a
Discussion
Provide a general interpretation of the results in the context of other evidence.
23b
Discussion
Discuss any limitations of the evidence included in the review.
23c
Discussion
Discuss any limitations of the review processes used.
23d
Discussion
Discuss implications of the results for practice, policy, and future research.

Other information

24a
Registration and protocol
Provide registration information for the review, including register name and registration number, or state that the review was not registered.
24b
Registration and protocol
Indicate where the review protocol can be accessed, or state that a protocol was not prepared.
24c
Registration and protocol
Describe and explain any amendments to information provided at registration or in the protocol.
25
Support
Describe sources of financial or non-financial support for the review, and the role of the funders or sponsors in the review.
26
Competing interests
Declare any competing interests of review authors.
27
Availability of data, code and other materials
Report which of the following are publicly available and where they can be found: template data collection forms; data extracted from included studies; data used for all analyses; analytic code; any other materials used in the review.

From: Page MJ, McKenzie JE, Bossuyt PM, et al. The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ 2021;372:n71. doi:10.1136/bmj.n71.

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What the PRISMA 2020 checklist covers

PRISMA 2020, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses, is the reporting guideline for systematic reviews. Its checklist has 27 items, 42 with sub-items, and comes with a 12-item checklist for abstracts and a flow diagram for study selection. It was published in 2021 and replaced the 2009 PRISMA statement.

Most journals that publish systematic reviews ask for a completed PRISMA checklist at submission, with the location of each item in the manuscript. Use it for reviews with or without a meta-analysis. For what changed from 2009 and how editors use it, see our PRISMA 2020 reporting guide.

The seven sections at a glance

Sections of the PRISMA 2020 checklist and their items
Section	Items	What to report
Title	1	Identify the report as a systematic review.
Abstract	2	Follow the separate 12-item PRISMA 2020 for Abstracts checklist.
Introduction	3–4	Rationale and an explicit statement of the objectives or questions.
Methods	5–15	Eligibility, sources, full search strategies, selection and data collection, risk of bias, effect measures, synthesis, reporting bias and certainty methods.
Results	16–22	Study selection (with a flow diagram), study characteristics, risk of bias, individual and synthesised results, reporting biases and certainty.
Discussion	23	Interpretation, limitations of the evidence and of the review, implications.
Other information	24–27	Registration and protocol, support, competing interests, and availability of data, code and materials.

How to complete and submit it

Fill it in against the final manuscript, including supplementary files: full search strategies (item 7) usually sit in a supplement.
Give a location for every item and sub-item. Section names survive reformatting better than page numbers.
Mark not applicable items with a reason, for example “No meta-analysis: narrative synthesis only” for 13d.
Add the flow diagram for item 16a. Our PRISMA flow diagram generator checks that the counts add up.
Complete the abstract checklist too if the journal asks for it (tab “Abstract (12 items)” above), then download each Word file.

Frequently asked questions

What is the PRISMA 2020 checklist?: It is the 27-item reporting checklist of the PRISMA 2020 statement for systematic reviews, 42 items when the sub-items are counted. It covers the title, abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion and other information such as registration, funding and data availability. It replaced the 2009 PRISMA checklist.
What is the PRISMA 2020 for Abstracts checklist?: A separate 12-item checklist for the abstract of a systematic review, published with PRISMA 2020. Item 2 of the main checklist points to it. It covers the title, objectives, eligibility criteria, information sources, risk of bias, synthesis methods, included studies, results, limitations, interpretation, funding and registration. Open it with the “Abstract (12 items)” tab.
How do I fill in the PRISMA checklist?: For each item, write where your review reports it in the “Location where item is reported” column, for example “Methods, Search strategy, p. 5; Supplementary file 1”. If an item does not apply, such as meta-analysis items in a narrative synthesis, mark it not applicable and say why. Download the Word file and upload it with your manuscript.
Do I need a PRISMA flow diagram as well as the checklist?: Yes, usually. Item 16a asks you to describe the search and selection process, ideally with a flow diagram, and most journals expect both. You can make the diagram with our free PRISMA flow diagram generator.
Is there a PRISMA 2026 checklist?: No. As of November 2026 the official PRISMA website lists PRISMA 2020 as the current statement, so use the PRISMA 2020 checklist plus any extension that fits your review.
Which PRISMA checklist do I need for a scoping review or a protocol?: Scoping reviews use PRISMA-ScR, with 20 essential and 2 optional items. Review protocols use PRISMA-P. Other extensions cover network meta-analyses (PRISMA-NMA), individual participant data (PRISMA-IPD) and literature searches (PRISMA-S).
Does PRISMA apply to a meta-analysis?: Yes. PRISMA 2020 is for systematic reviews with or without a meta-analysis. Items 13d, 13e, 13f, 20b, 20c and 20d cover the meta-analysis model, heterogeneity and sensitivity analyses.
What does item 27 on data, code and materials ask for?: It asks you to report which of these are publicly available and where: data collection forms, data extracted from the included studies, data used for all analyses, analytic code and any other materials. If something is not shared, say so; the item asks for transparency, not mandatory sharing.
Can I reuse the PRISMA 2020 checklist?: Yes. The PRISMA 2020 checklists are distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) licence, so you can copy and adapt them as long as you cite the PRISMA 2020 statement.
Are my answers stored anywhere?: No. The checklist runs in your browser and nothing is sent to a server. Your answers are kept in this browser’s local storage so they are still there when you come back; use “Clear answers” to remove them.

Sources

Page MJ, McKenzie JE, Bossuyt PM, Boutron I, Hoffmann TC, Mulrow CD, et al. The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ 2021;372:n71. doi:10.1136/bmj.n71.
Page MJ, Moher D, Bossuyt PM, et al. PRISMA 2020 explanation and elaboration: updated guidance and exemplars for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ 2021;372:n160.
PRISMA Executive. PRISMA 2020 checklist and PRISMA 2020 for Abstracts. Distributed under CC BY 4.0.
PRISMA Executive. PRISMA extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR).

Content updated November 1, 2026. This is an independent tool and is not affiliated with the PRISMA Executive. Check your target journal’s instructions for the form it requires.