Thorax
Indexed in MEDLINE (PubMed). Published by BMJ Publishing Group for the British Thoracic Society.
Thorax publishes clinical and experimental research across respiratory medicine and critical care. Its scope includes paediatric respiratory disease, epidemiology, immunology, pathology, pharmacology and surgery, alongside basic and translational work with clinical relevance.
Dr Robert BaxterPublishing in Thorax
Thorax is co-owned by the British Thoracic Society and BMJ. It publishes clinical and experimental research in respiratory medicine and critical care, including paediatric disease, epidemiology and translational science. Its formats include original research, short reports, reviews, editorials, educational cases, images, journal club articles and BTS guidance. Systematic reviews are considered within original research. The journal no longer publishes protocols.
Authors can publish for subscribers without paying, or choose open access for £4,500 before VAT. Institutional agreements and eligible country waivers may reduce that charge. The journal uses single anonymised peer review. Its 2025 median time to first decision after review was 57 days, and its acceptance rate was 16%. Some formats are commissioned or usually invited, so authors should check the guide before submitting.
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Word limits, abstract lengths and fees for each article type, member discounts and a checklist before you submit. Enter your email to unlock this journal and every other guide.
You'll also receive The Weekend Round every Saturday.- Original research
Original clinical, experimental and systematic review work; revised papers require a visual abstract.
- Words
- 3,500
- Abstract
- 250
- Figures & tables
- —
- References
- 40
- Short report
Brief mechanistic or observational findings; revised papers require a visual abstract.
- Words
- 1,000
- Abstract
- 100
- Figures & tables
- 3
- References
- 10
- Editorial
Commissioned discussion of a Thorax paper and the questions it raises.
- Words
- 1,000
- Abstract
- —
- Figures & tables
- 2
- References
- 20
- State of the art review
Recent advances in a topical subject; usually commissioned, but unsolicited work is considered.
- Words
- 4,000
- Abstract
- 300
- Figures & tables
- —
- References
- 100
- Controversies and challenges in respiratory medicine
Debates limited or conflicting evidence for clinical practice; usually commissioned.
- Words
- 2,500
- Abstract
- —
- Figures & tables
- 2
- References
- 20
- Guidelines in context
Highlights a new guideline or compares guidance for one condition; usually commissioned.
- Words
- 2,000
- Abstract
- —
- Figures & tables
- 2
- References
- 40
- Pulmonary puzzle
Educational case with an image, question and later answer; each text part has a 250-word cap.
- Words
- —
- Abstract
- —
- Figures & tables
- —
- References
- 5
- Images in Thorax
Radiological or pathological teaching images; patient consent and image scale bars are required.
- Words
- 500
- Abstract
- —
- Figures & tables
- 2
- References
- 3
- Journal club
Contact the Journal Club editor before seeking to contribute.
- Words
- —
- Abstract
- —
- Figures & tables
- —
- References
- —
- BTS Clinical statements
Commissioned online statements on current clinical knowledge and practice.
- Words
- —
- Abstract
- —
- Figures & tables
- —
- References
- —
- BTS Guidelines
BTS-commissioned online guidelines prepared by a development group using GRADE.
- Words
- —
- Abstract
- —
- Figures & tables
- —
- References
- —
- Guideline summary
Commissioned summary from authors of a BTS guideline published in Thorax.
- Words
- 1,000
- Abstract
- —
- Figures & tables
- —
- References
- —
- Supplement
Propose a themed issue with planned contents, authors, sponsor details and deadlines.
- Words
- —
- Abstract
- —
- Figures & tables
- —
- References
- —
Authors may publish for subscribers at no cost; optional open access costs £4,500 excluding VAT. Print colour costs £510, while online colour is free; there are no submission or page charges. Institutional agreements may cover the APC, and eligible low-income country authors may request a full or partial waiver.
Before you submit
- Include a short results and clinical context statement in the cover letter, and disclose any conference presentation.
- Upload the applicable reporting checklist; trial reports need CONSORT and systematic reviews need PRISMA.
- Make trial and systematic review protocols public before the work begins, as the guide requires.
- Add a Data Availability Statement to every research article and an ORCID iD for the submitting author.
- Supply a visual abstract when revising Original research or Short report manuscripts.
- Do not submit protocols or work funded by, or with personal financial ties to, the tobacco industry.
Frequently asked
- Is Thorax indexed in PubMed?
- Yes. Thorax is indexed in MEDLINE, so its articles are in PubMed with a PMID.
- How much does it cost to publish in Thorax?
- There is a free route: authors can publish without a fee. Open access costs £4,500.
- Does Thorax accept case reports?
- Yes. Thorax publishes case reports.
- What is the Impact Factor of Thorax?
- Thorax states an Impact Factor of 9.1 for 2025.
- How long does Thorax take to decide?
- About 57 days from submission to first decision.
- What is the acceptance rate of Thorax?
- Thorax states that it accepts 16% of submissions.
- What kind of peer review does Thorax use?
- Single-blind peer review.
