Does a PubMed article mean the journal is MEDLINE indexed?

Not necessarily. PubMed contains MEDLINE records plus additional records from other NLM sources. MEDLINE status should be checked separately in the NLM Catalog.

Can one journal have two ISSNs?

Yes. A journal may have separate print and electronic ISSNs. Check both identifiers when the journal has them.

Why does the checker link to official databases?

Indexing status and coverage can change. Official database records are the authoritative place to confirm current coverage.

Free journal-verification tool

Journal Indexing Checker: Verify a Journal by ISSN

Q: How do I check if a journal is indexed?

Search by ISSN, then review each database separately. A journal can be present in one database and absent from another, so verify Scopus, Web of Science, NLM/PubMed and DOAJ independently.

Enter a journal ISSN to check live NLM Catalog evidence and get direct verification routes for PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science and DOAJ. Each database is shown separately because “indexed” is not one universal status.

Check journal indexing

What the checker verifies

NLM/PubMed/MEDLINE: the tool queries the NLM Catalog through NCBI's E-utilities and reports matching journal records. It also gives direct NLM verification links.

Scopus: the result provides a direct official Scopus Sources verification route. Automated Scopus confirmation is only shown if a licensed Elsevier API key is configured on the server.

Web of Science: the result points to the official Master Journal List. Automated Web of Science confirmation is not claimed unless licensed Clarivate API access is configured.

DOAJ: the result provides an ISSN-based official DOAJ lookup route. A journal's presence in DOAJ concerns open-access directory inclusion and is not equivalent to Scopus, Web of Science or MEDLINE indexing.

Important: never treat a journal website's indexing logo as proof. Match the journal title and ISSN against the official database record and check current coverage.

How to check whether a journal is indexed

Find the journal's ISSN/eISSN on its website or an ISSN record.
Enter the ISSN above.
Confirm the returned journal identity before interpreting any status.
Review each database separately.
Open the official verification links for current coverage and collection details.

For a full workflow, see how to check if a journal is indexed.

PubMed, MEDLINE and PMC are not interchangeable

A journal can have articles discoverable in PubMed without being a currently indexed MEDLINE journal. PMC participation is also a separate concept. Use the NLM Catalog evidence and our PubMed vs MEDLINE vs PMC guide before making a submission decision.

Scopus and Web of Science coverage can change

For Scopus, check the source record and its coverage years rather than relying only on a journal's claim. For Web of Science, verify the journal in the Master Journal List and note the collection shown, such as SCIE, SSCI, AHCI or ESCI.

Frequently asked questions

How do I check if a journal is indexed?

Start with the ISSN and verify each database separately. The same journal may have different status across NLM, Scopus, Web of Science and DOAJ.

Does a PubMed article mean MEDLINE indexing?

No. PubMed includes MEDLINE plus other NLM-supplied records. Confirm MEDLINE status in the NLM Catalog.

Can I use the journal title instead?

ISSN is preferred because titles can change or resemble other journal titles. A later version can add title matching while still requiring identity confirmation.

Why are some results marked “verify at official source”?

Some proprietary indexing databases require licensed access for reliable automated status checks. The checker does not invent a yes/no result when authoritative live data are unavailable.

More verification tools

Use the Journal Checker for broader journal due diligence, the Retraction Checker for publication-status checks, and the Journal Verification Guides for step-by-step checks.

Evidence reviewed: September 24, 2026