What Is a Q1 Journal? Q1, Q2, Q3 & Q4 Explained

What Is a Q1 Journal? Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4 Rankings Explained

When researchers search for academic journals, they frequently encounter labels such as Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4. These rankings appear in journal databases, publication requirements, and discussions about research quality.

But what is a Q1 journal, and does publishing in a Q1 journal automatically mean that your research is better?

A Q1 journal is a scholarly journal ranked in the highest quartile of journals within a particular academic subject category, according to a specified ranking system.

In simple terms, Q1 represents the highest-ranked group, Q2 the next group, Q3 the third group, and Q4 the lowest-ranked group.

However, the ranking depends on the database, citation metric, subject category, and year.

For example, a journal may be classified as Q1 in Clarivate's Journal Citation Reports but Q2 in SCImago. A multidisciplinary journal may also hold different rankings across its subject categories.

Understanding these distinctions is important for PhD students, researchers, and academics selecting journals for publication.

This guide explains Q1–Q4 journal rankings, how quartiles are calculated, the difference between JCR and SCImago, and how to verify a journal's actual ranking.

What Is a Q1 Journal?

A Q1 journal belongs to the highest-ranked quartile of academic journals within a defined subject category.

Journal ranking systems arrange publications according to citation-based indicators.

The journals are then divided into four ranking groups, or quartiles.

Q1 represents the leading group, while Q4 represents the lowest-ranked group within that particular category.

For example, imagine an academic subject category containing 100 journals.

If a journal ranks 12th according to the relevant citation indicator, it would generally be placed in Q1 because it falls within the highest-ranked quarter.

A journal ranked 65th would generally fall within Q3.

These classifications are relative to the journals included in the same subject category and ranking system.

A Q1 journal is not necessarily more suitable for every research paper than a Q2 journal.

Subject relevance, editorial quality, peer-review standards, and publication requirements still matter.

What Do Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4 Mean?

The four quartiles describe relative journal ranking positions.

These definitions describe the basic quartile concept.

Actual journal distributions may not contain exactly the same number of publications in each group because ranking ties and calculation rules can affect placement.

It is also important to understand that Q1 does not mean a journal is among the top 25% of all scholarly journals worldwide.

The classification applies within a specific subject category and ranking system.

How Are Journal Quartiles Calculated?

In Clarivate's Journal Citation Reports (JCR), journal quartiles are calculated using a journal's rank within its subject category.

The official calculation is based on the following ratio:

Z = Journal rank ÷ Total number of journals in the category

The resulting value determines the quartile.

A smaller ratio indicates a higher relative position.

This calculation uses category-specific Journal Impact Factor rankings.

Example: Calculating a Journal's Quartile

Suppose a fictional subject category contains 100 journals ranked by Journal Impact Factor.

Journal A

Rank: 12

Total journals: 100

Z = 12 ÷ 100 = 0.12

Result: Q1

Journal B

Rank: 35

Total journals: 100

Z = 35 ÷ 100 = 0.35

Result: Q2

Journal C

Rank: 65

Total journals: 100

Z = 65 ÷ 100 = 0.65

Result: Q3

Journal D

Rank: 90

Total journals: 100

Z = 90 ÷ 100 = 0.90

Result: Q4

All examples are hypothetical.

Clarivate also accounts for journals tied at the same rank. Tied journals are assigned the same quartile, which can affect the number of journals within each group.

What Is the Difference Between Q1 and Q2 Journals?

The principal difference between Q1 and Q2 journals is their relative position within a subject-specific ranking.

Q1 journals occupy the highest-ranking quartile.

Q2 journals occupy the next quartile.

For example, in a category containing 100 journals, a journal ranked 20th would fall within Q1, while one ranked 40th would fall within Q2 under the standard JCR rank-ratio calculation.

However, the distinction does not automatically indicate a major difference in peer-review quality.

A highly specialized Q2 journal may be more appropriate for a particular study than a broader Q1 journal.

Publication decisions should therefore consider research relevance and editorial standards alongside quartile ranking.

What Is the Difference Between Q3 and Q4 Journals?

Q3 and Q4 journals fall in the lower half of the ranking distribution within their subject categories.

Q3 journals rank above Q4 journals according to the selected citation indicator.

However, a Q4 classification does not mean that a journal is illegitimate, predatory, or scientifically worthless.

Many legitimate journals serve specialized or regional academic communities and may have lower citation activity.

A journal may also be relatively new, publish in a field with slower citation patterns, or address a limited research audience.

Researchers should evaluate journal credibility separately from its quartile position.

Q1 vs. Q2 vs. Q3 vs. Q4: Which Is Better for Publication?

Q1 journals are the highest-ranked group according to the chosen citation indicator.

However, choosing the most appropriate publication venue involves more than selecting the highest quartile.

A researcher should consider:

• Whether the journal publishes research in the relevant discipline.
• Whether the manuscript matches its aims and scope.
• Whether the journal has credible peer-review procedures.
• Whether its indexing satisfies institutional requirements.
• Whether publication fees are affordable and transparent.
• Whether the intended audience will benefit from the study.

For example, a Q2 journal dedicated to power electronics may provide a more suitable audience for a specialized electrical engineering paper than a Q1 journal focusing primarily on broad energy policy.

The stronger choice depends on the manuscript and the author's academic objectives.

How to Check if a Journal Is Q1 in Web of Science

Clarivate's Journal Citation Reports provides official Journal Impact Factor rankings and quartiles.

Step 1: Open Journal Citation Reports

Visit the official JCR platform through Clarivate.

Institutional access may be required.

Step 2: Search for the Journal

Enter the journal's exact title or ISSN.

Using the ISSN can help identify publications with similar names.

Step 3: Check the Journal Record

Confirm the publisher, journal title, and relevant subject categories.

Step 4: Find the JIF Quartile

Locate the journal's category ranking and Journal Impact Factor quartile.

A journal may have more than one quartile if it belongs to several subject categories.

Step 5: Confirm the Year

Journal rankings can change over time.

Verify that the displayed quartile corresponds to the year required for your research evaluation.

Step 6: Record the Category

When reporting the quartile, include the category as well as the ranking year.

For example:

"Q1 in [Subject Category], according to JCR [Data Year]."

This is more precise than simply describing a journal as Q1 without further information.

How to Check Q1 Journals in SCImago

SCImago Journal & Country Rank provides journal rankings based on the SCImago Journal Rank indicator.

SJR uses citation information from Scopus and applies a weighting method that considers the influence of citing sources.

To check a journal's quartile:

1. Visit https://www.scimagojr.com.
2. Search for the journal title or ISSN.
3. Open the journal's profile.
4. Examine its subject categories.
5. Review the quartile information for the relevant year.
6. Verify which subject category is associated with the reported Q1, Q2, Q3, or Q4 classification.

SCImago provides openly accessible ranking information and is frequently used by researchers comparing journal categories.

However, SCImago quartiles are not the same as Clarivate's JCR quartiles.

If your university requires a JCR Q1 publication, a SCImago Q1 classification may not satisfy that requirement.

JCR Quartiles vs. SCImago Quartiles

JCR and SCImago classify journals using different data sources and citation indicators.

A journal can be Q1 in JCR and Q2 in SCImago without either ranking being incorrect.

The systems use different datasets, coverage, subject classifications, and ranking methods.

SCImago quartiles should also not automatically be treated as identical to CiteScore percentile groups displayed within Scopus.

Always identify the actual source of the ranking.

Can a Journal Be Q1 in One Category and Q2 in Another?

Yes.

Many multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary journals are assigned to more than one subject category.

For example, a fictional journal might rank highly in environmental engineering but hold a lower position in energy research.

Its rankings could look like this:

These rankings are examples, not records for a real journal.

The same journal can therefore have multiple valid quartile classifications within one ranking system.

Clarivate explicitly recognizes category-specific ranking and quartile assignments.

If your institution requires a Q1 journal in a particular subject area, confirm the relevant category rather than relying solely on the journal's best quartile.

Is a Q1 Journal the Same as a High-Impact-Factor Journal?

Not exactly.

Journal Impact Factor is a numerical citation indicator.

Q1 is a relative ranking category based on a journal's position among other journals in its subject area.

A journal does not need a particular universal JIF value to be classified as Q1.

For example, a JIF of 3.5 might be sufficient for Q1 in one research category but fall into Q2 or Q3 in another.

The threshold depends on the citation performance of journals in that category.

This is why comparing impact factors across unrelated disciplines can be misleading.

The appropriate comparison is usually within the relevant field and ranking year.

Are Q1 Journals Always Peer Reviewed?

Journals with recognized JCR or SCImago rankings are generally scholarly publications, and many operate established peer-review processes.

However, a Q1 ranking does not independently verify that every article published in the journal received external peer review.

Some scholarly journals publish editorials, opinion pieces, correspondence, and other content that may follow different editorial procedures.

If you need a peer-reviewed research article for an assignment, verify the journal's peer-review policy and the individual article type.

Quartile rankings and article-level peer-review status answer different questions.

Are Q1 Journals Difficult to Publish In?

Many Q1 journals receive substantial manuscript submissions and maintain selective editorial standards.

However, the difficulty of publication varies considerably among journals.

Quartile position alone does not provide an acceptance rate.

A Q1 journal may reject a manuscript because it does not match its scope, while a Q2 journal may be more receptive to the same research question.

The strength of the study, editorial priorities, novelty expectations, and reviewer assessments all influence the decision.

Authors should examine the journal's recent publications and submission guidelines rather than assuming all Q1 journals have identical requirements.

Are Q1 Journals Better Than Q2 Journals?

Q1 journals rank higher on the citation indicator used within a category.

That does not necessarily mean every Q1 journal has stronger scientific methods, better peer review, or more useful articles than every Q2 journal.

Citation metrics measure patterns of scholarly references, not all dimensions of research quality.

The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA) recommends evaluating research on its own merits rather than relying exclusively on journal-level metrics.

Therefore, Q1 status can provide useful information about citation standing, but it should not replace assessment of research relevance and editorial credibility.

Can a Q4 Journal Be Legitimate?

Yes.

Q4 describes a journal's relative citation ranking within a particular category.

It is not a classification of publishing misconduct.

A legitimate journal can occupy Q4 while applying genuine peer review and publishing scientifically useful work.

Conversely, a journal claiming Q1 status should still be checked for accurate indexing, credible editorial policies, and transparent publishing practices.

Researchers should avoid confusing citation rank with ethical legitimacy.

How Often Do Journal Quartile Rankings Change?

Journal quartiles are normally updated as new annual ranking data become available.

Changes in citation activity, category composition, journal coverage, and rankings can affect a journal's position.

A journal that was Q1 in an earlier year may move to Q2 later.

Similarly, a journal may improve its ranking over time.

When reporting a quartile for academic evaluation, identify the ranking system, subject category, and data year.

Avoid using an old Q1 label without verifying whether it still applies.

Common Mistakes When Checking Q1 Journals

Researchers frequently encounter misleading or incomplete journal ranking information.

Confusing JCR and SCImago Rankings

A Q1 classification in SCImago is not proof of Q1 status in Journal Citation Reports.

Ignoring Subject Categories

A multidisciplinary journal can have different quartiles in different categories.

Using Outdated Rankings

Quartile positions can change when annual metrics are updated.

Treating Q1 as Proof of Research Quality

The quartile describes journal-level citation ranking, not the reliability of an individual article.

Trusting Unverified Journal Website Claims

A publisher may display an outdated or inaccurate ranking badge.

Always verify the claim using the relevant official ranking source.

Assuming Scopus Indexing Means Q1

Scopus includes journals across different levels of citation performance.

Being indexed in Scopus does not automatically make a journal Q1.

How to Choose Between Q1 and Q2 Journals for Your Paper

Begin by identifying journals that regularly publish research similar to your manuscript.

Compare their editorial scope, recent articles, peer-review practices, publication fees, and institutional recognition.

Next, verify their actual rankings.

If two journals are equally suitable, quartile ranking may provide a useful additional consideration.

However, if a Q2 journal is a better match for your research methods and intended audience, it may be a more appropriate submission target.

For PhD students, the institution's publication requirements may play an important role.

Some programs specify Scopus indexing, Web of Science coverage, a particular quartile, or another approved publication category.

Confirm those requirements before submitting.

Frequently Asked Questions About Q1 Journals

What is a Q1 journal in simple terms?

A Q1 journal is a scholarly journal ranked in the highest quartile within a particular subject category according to a specified journal ranking system.

What does Q1 mean in journal rankings?

Q1 indicates that the journal belongs to the highest-ranked group within its category based on the ranking system's citation metric.

What is the difference between Q1 and Q2?

Q1 represents the highest-ranking quartile, while Q2 represents the next ranking group. Both classifications are relative to a specific subject category.

Is Q1 better than Q2?

Q1 indicates a higher relative citation ranking. However, a Q2 journal may be more suitable for a particular paper because of its subject focus, audience, or editorial priorities.

How can I check if a journal is Q1?

Use Clarivate's Journal Citation Reports for JIF quartiles or SCImago Journal & Country Rank for SJR quartiles. Verify the year and subject category.

Is Q1 the same in Scopus and Web of Science?

No. SCImago and Clarivate use different data sources, citation indicators, and category structures, so quartile classifications may differ.

Can a journal be Q1 and Q2 at the same time?

Yes. A journal assigned to multiple subject categories may have different quartiles for those categories.

Does a high impact factor guarantee Q1?

No. Q1 status depends on a journal's rank among other journals in its category, not a universal impact factor threshold.

Are Q1 journals always expensive?

No. Publication fees depend on the journal's publishing model, funding arrangements, and fee policies rather than its quartile alone.

Is a Q4 journal predatory?

No. Q4 is a relative citation-ranking category and does not independently indicate unethical or deceptive publishing practices.

Conclusion

Understanding what a Q1 journal is helps researchers interpret scholarly rankings and select appropriate publication venues.

Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4 divide journals into ranking groups within academic subject categories.

Q1 represents the highest-ranked group, while Q4 represents the lowest-ranked group according to the selected citation indicator.

However, journal quartiles differ between databases such as Clarivate's Journal Citation Reports and SCImago.

The same journal may also receive different rankings across subject categories and years.

Researchers should verify quartile classifications through official sources and consider journal scope, peer-review standards, readership, costs, and institutional requirements before submitting.

A high quartile is useful contextual information, but it should never replace careful evaluation of journal suitability and scientific credibility.