Journal Evaluation · Lookup Portals
CAS Journal Ranking Lookup
Search by journal title or ISSN, verify the journal identity in the corresponding platform, then record the ranking system, year, broad category, and subcategory.
Check the Official 2026 Status First
This step filters out the most common year-related misinformation on “latest list” pages.
Current Official Platform Notice
The official journal-ranking platform states that the National Science Library of the Chinese Academy of Sciences will stop updating and publishing the ranking table from 2026. If a page claims to provide the “latest 2026 CAS ranking,” verify whether it reorganizes an older edition, uses an institution-specific system, or simply mislabels the year.
CAS Rankings and JCR Quartiles Cannot Be Converted
Both are casually described as “zones,” but they are not the same table.
| Comparison | CAS journal ranking | JCR quartile |
|---|---|---|
| Publisher | A team associated with the National Science Library, CAS | Clarivate's Journal Citation Reports |
| Common notation | Zones 1, 2, 3, and 4, with category-specific results | Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4 within JCR categories |
| What to verify | Year, edition, broad/subcategory, and journal ISSN | JCR year, category, rank, and quartile |
| Interchangeable? | No | No |
How to Look Up a CAS Ranking
Lock down the journal identity, then the edition, and finally the result record.
Confirm the journal identity
Copy the full title and ISSN from the journal site or a database to avoid namesakes and title changes.
Confirm the target year
Research assessment often requires a specific year; a current webpage cannot automatically replace the publication-year record.
Confirm the category scope
Check both broad and narrow categories rather than presenting either one as the journal's only ranking.
Save the evidence
Record the system, year, category, zone, and query date, and retain institutional proof when needed.
What a Verifiable Ranking Record Should Contain
Writing only “Zone 1” removes the context needed for verification.
Do Not Choose a Journal by One Ranking Alone
Ranking is one filter, not the entire submission decision.
- Does the research topic genuinely fit the journal's scope?
- Has the journal consistently published similar methods and subjects in recent years?
- Which system and year does your institution recognize?
- Are the review time, open-access fee, and data policies acceptable?
- Is the journal still stably indexed in the target database?
- Can you verify the editorial website, submission system, and contact information?
Frequently Asked Questions
Are CAS rankings and JCR quartiles the same?
No. Different organizations publish them, and they use different subject systems, calculations, and presentation. State the required system and year in research-assessment or submission materials.
Why can the same journal have two CAS rankings?
Broad and narrow category results may differ, or a webpage may mix years, legacy editions, and upgraded editions. Verify the official record for that year using the journal ISSN.
Will a 2026 CAS journal ranking table still be published?
The official platform currently states that the National Science Library, CAS will stop updating and publishing the table from 2026. For historical years, still verify the original platform and your institution's requirements.
Official Entry Points and Explanations
- 1National Science Library CAS Journal Ranking Platform
The official platform explains historical rankings and announces that the table will no longer be updated or published from 2026.
- 2Fudan University Library: CAS Ranking Platform
A university library access guide that can help confirm your institution's login route.
- 3Clarivate: Journal Citation Reports
The official JCR product description explains its data sources and journal-evaluation framework.