Red-flag scan
Guaranteed or rapid acceptance, fake or misleading metrics, free-mail editors and similar warning signs.
Predatory journal checker
That flattering invitation to publish in a journal you have never heard of deserves thirty seconds of scrutiny. Paste the journal's name, and the email if you got one, and the checker flags the classic signs of a predatory publisher and estimates the fee you would be asked to pay.
Free account: 50 tokens every month · no card needed
What it does
Features of the Predatory Journal Checker
Invitation email analysis
Paste the solicitation email for a deeper check of its wording and sender.
APC estimate
An estimate of the article processing charge you are likely to be asked for.
Next steps
Guidance on what to verify before you trust the journal.
How it works
From draft to result in 4 steps
- Enter the journal nameRequired — the more exact, the better.
- Paste the emailOptional, but it catches the pressure tactics.
- Read the flagsEach red flag is explained.
- Verify independentlyFollow our guide to predatory journals.
Who it's for
Built for the people who write research
Early-career researchersAvoid losing a good paper to a fake journal.
ResearchersTriage the constant stream of publishing invitations.
SupervisorsTeach students what a predatory invitation looks like.
LibrariesSupport researchers' publishing decisions.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is a predatory journal?
A publication that charges authors fees but does not provide the peer review, editing and indexing it claims — often with fake metrics and aggressive email invitations.
Can this checker say for certain that a journal is predatory?
No automated check can. It flags warning signs; confirm by checking DOAJ listing, COPE membership, the editorial board and indexing claims yourself.
What are the most common red flags?
Guaranteed acceptance, very fast review, invented impact metrics, editors using free email addresses, unclear fees and a scope that covers everything.
I already submitted to a suspicious journal — what now?
Ask in writing to withdraw the manuscript before publication and keep the correspondence. Talk to your library or research office.
Is it free?
Every tool opens on the free plan: a free account gets 50 tokens every month. Longer documents, downloads and some advanced modes need a paid plan — the tool tells you when you reach one.
Which databases can I use to verify a journal?
The Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), the ISSN Portal, the source lists of Scopus and Web of Science, and the member lists of COPE and OASPA. Check claims there, not on the journal's own website.
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Try the Predatory Journal Checker now.
Open it in your browser — nothing to install.