Elsevier is one of the world's largest academic publishers, founded in Rotterdam in 1880 and headquartered in Amsterdam as a subsidiary of RELX plc. It publishes 3,000+ peer-reviewed journals - including The Lancet and the Cell Press family - and operates ScienceDirect, Scopus, and the Editorial Manager submission system.

How many journals does Elsevier publish?

Elsevier publishes more than 3,000 peer-reviewed journals across all major disciplines, with particular strength in science, technology, and medicine. Over 960 of these are fully open access, and roughly 1,800 are hybrid titles that offer an open-access option alongside subscription publishing.

Are Elsevier journals indexed in Scopus?

Yes - coverage is very high, and Elsevier itself owns Scopus. Nearly all Elsevier journals are indexed in Scopus, most in Web of Science, and biomedical titles in PubMed. Individual journals can still be delisted for quality issues, so verify the specific title's current indexing status before submission.

What are Elsevier APCs?

Elsevier APCs range from roughly $150 to $11,400 per article (2026 list prices, before tax), averaging about $3,400. Cell is the most expensive at ~$11,400; fully-OA Lancet titles charge ~$7,860; most subject journals fall between $1,500 and $4,500. Check the journal homepage for the current fee.

Is Elsevier open access?

Partially. Nearly all Elsevier journals offer an open-access option via three routes: 960+ fully gold-OA journals; hybrid OA on roughly 1,800 subscription titles; and green self-archiving with per-title embargoes. Subscription publishing remains free in hybrid journals - the APC applies only if you choose open access.

Does Elsevier offer fee waivers?

Yes. For fully open-access journals, Elsevier automatically grants a 100% APC waiver to authors from 69 Research4Life Group A countries and a 50% discount to authors from 57 Group B countries; mixed Group A/B author teams receive 50% off. Waivers do not apply to hybrid journals.

Elsevier is a wholly owned subsidiary of RELX plc, a UK-headquartered information and analytics group listed on the London, Amsterdam, and New York stock exchanges. Elsevier forms RELX's scientific, technical, and medical division and is headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Cell Press is Elsevier's premier life-science imprint, publishing Cell, Neuron, Immunity, Molecular Cell, the Trends review series, and newer titles like Joule, Chem, and Matter. Cell Press APCs run high - Cell is ~$11,400 - and these titles are often excluded or capped in institutional Read & Publish agreements.

Is The Lancet an Elsevier journal?

Yes. The Lancet, founded in 1823, has been published by Elsevier since 1991. The family includes specialty titles such as Lancet Oncology and Lancet Neurology, plus eight fully open-access journals including Lancet Global Health and the Lancet Regional Health editions, which charge an APC of about $7,860.

What is ScienceDirect?

ScienceDirect is Elsevier's full-text platform hosting its journals and books - millions of articles across 3,000+ journals. It is where readers access Elsevier content, and each journal's ScienceDirect homepage lists its open-access options, APC, editorial times, and a link to the Guide for Authors.

How do I submit to an Elsevier journal?

Pick a journal with Elsevier's JournalFinder, read that title's Guide for Authors, and prepare your manuscript - most titles use numbered Elsevier/Vancouver references, and many accept format-free first submissions. Then submit through Editorial Manager, which handles tracking, reviewer reports, and revisions for most Elsevier titles.

What submission system does Elsevier use?

Editorial Manager, for most titles. Elsevier acquired Aries Systems, Editorial Manager's developer, in 2018, and is progressively rolling out a redesigned submission experience with a modern interface and single sign-on across Elsevier journals. The journal's homepage links directly to its submission site.

Does Elsevier have Read and Publish deals?

Yes - Elsevier holds transformative agreements with library consortia worldwide, including Projekt DEAL in Germany, Jisc in the UK, and the University of California. Coverage varies: Cell Press and Lancet titles are often excluded or capped. Check the ESAC registry or ask your library whether your APC is covered.

Is Elsevier a good publisher?

Yes. Elsevier is an established, top-tier publisher and a member of COPE, OASPA, and STM, with flagship venues like The Lancet and Cell. Public criticism focuses on subscription pricing and open-access costs - not on editorial legitimacy or peer-review quality - and it is not considered predatory.

What citation style do Elsevier journals use?

Most Elsevier journals use numbered Elsevier/Vancouver-style references, though the exact format varies by title - always check the journal's Guide for Authors. Many journals also accept format-free first submissions ('Your Paper Your Way'), requiring full formatting only at revision. SciSpace provides ready-made templates for Elsevier journals.

Can I publish in an Elsevier journal for free?

Often, yes. Roughly 1,800 hybrid Elsevier journals publish subscription articles at no charge to the author - the APC applies only if you choose open access. Some society-partnered titles are also free to publish, and green self-archiving of the accepted manuscript is permitted with per-title embargoes.

Elsevier Publication GuideElsevier Publication Guide

Elsevier is one of the world's largest academic publishers, founded in Rotterdam in 1880 and headquartered in Amsterdam as a subsidiary of RELX plc. Its portfolio spans 3,000+ journals - including The Lancet, Cell, and the Trends series - plus ScienceDirect, Scopus, and the Editorial Manager submission platform.

Journals published: 3,000+ (960+ fully open access)

Open access options: Gold, hybrid, and green routes - nearly all journals offer an OA option

APC range: ~$150 - $11,400 per article (Cell is the top; most titles $1,500 - $4,500)

Imprints: Cell Press · The Lancet · Academic Press · Mosby · Saunders

Headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands (RELX plc, London-listed parent)

Transformative Agreements: Yes - extensive Read & Publish deals worldwide (Cell Press and Lancet often carved out)

Indexing: Very high in Scopus (Elsevier-owned), Web of Science, and PubMed

Website: elsevier.com

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