Journal rankings
Q1, Q2, Q3 & Q4 Journals: Meaning, Rankings & How to Check
Q1 generally means the top 25% of journals in a defined subject category, Q2 the next 25%, Q3 the next 25%, and Q4 the final 25%. A quartile is meaningful only with its ranking source, subject category and year, so verify the current record before relying on a Q1–Q4 claim.
Maintained by the Beallslists.com editorial review team · Evidence reviewed: · Current verification cycle: 2026
Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 meaning at a glance
Journal quartiles divide journals within a defined subject category into four ranking groups. Q1 is the highest quartile, followed by Q2, Q3 and Q4. A journal can have different quartiles across categories, years or ranking systems, so always verify the exact source and year behind a “Q1” or “Q2” claim.
Before relying on a quartile for submission, also verify the journal’s current indexing and identity using the journal indexing guide or Journal Checker.
Simple meaning of the quartiles
| Quartile | General interpretation |
|---|---|
| Q1 | Top quarter of journals in the relevant ranked category. |
| Q2 | Second quarter. |
| Q3 | Third quarter. |
| Q4 | Fourth quarter. |
The exact calculation depends on the database or metric. A journal can also appear in more than one subject category and therefore have more than one quartile.
Why “Q1 journal” can be ambiguous
- The ranking provider may not be stated.
- The journal may be Q1 in one category and Q2 in another.
- The claim may refer to a previous year.
- A website may quote an unofficial third-party quartile.
How to verify a quartile claim
- Identify the ranking system being claimed.
- Search the journal title or ISSN in that system.
- Check the subject category.
- Check the year.
- Save the record if the quartile matters for an institutional requirement.
Quartile is not the same as trustworthiness
Use quartiles for ranking context, not as a substitute for checking identity, current coverage, peer review, fees and publication policies. See how to verify indexing and how to evaluate a journal.
Sources and further verification
- SCImago Journal & Country Rank — SJR-based subject rankings and quartiles
- Clarivate Master Journal List — official Web of Science journal coverage lookup
Historical records are useful context, but journal ownership, indexing, policies and websites can change. Verify current claims at the original source before making a submission, hiring, promotion or funding decision.