How Long Does Peer Review Take?
Realistic timelines for each stage of peer review and the factors that lengthen or shorten them.
A breakdown of the typical duration of editorial screening, reviewer assignment, review, decision, and revision in scholarly peer review.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does peer review take on average?
Across peer-reviewed journals, average time from submission to first decision is 6–12 weeks. Some high-volume medical journals manage 3–4 weeks; some humanities and theoretical journals take 6+ months. EP Journals Group completes double-blind peer review in 1–2 weeks.
Why is peer review sometimes slow?
The main bottleneck is reviewer availability. Editors typically invite 4–6 reviewers to secure 2 acceptances, and each reviewer is given 2–4 weeks to respond. Reviewers are unpaid volunteers with their own research and teaching commitments, so review reports are often late. Topic-specific reviewer scarcity also slows niche subfields.
What is a typical peer review timeline?
Initial editorial screening (1–14 days) → reviewer invitations and assignment (1–4 weeks) → reviewer reports (2–8 weeks) → editor's decision (1–2 weeks) → revision and resubmission (2–8 weeks) → second round of review if needed → final acceptance and production. Total: 3–12 months for most journals.
Can I expedite peer review?
Some journals offer paid fast-track review (additional fee, often US$500–$1500). A few journals offer expedited review for time-sensitive submissions (e.g., outbreak research). Most journals do not. The best way to speed publication is to choose a journal known for fast turnaround — like EP Journals Group's 1–2 week peer review.
What is the difference between first decision and final decision?
The first decision is the editor's initial response after the first round of peer review — typically major revision, minor revision, or rejection. The final decision is the editor's outcome after all revisions and re-reviews are complete — typically accept or reject. Most submissions go through 1–2 rounds of revision before a final decision.