Journal profile · Mathematics
Discrete Mathematics
ISSN 0012-365X · eISSN 1872-681X · Elsevier · NETHERLANDS · Semimonthly · Founded 1971
Discrete Mathematics: CAS Zone 3 · Mathematics (2025 upgraded edition); impact factor 1.05; hybrid open access; APC about USD 3,320; review about 261 days (submission to acceptance, publisher); community-reported acceptance: about 50%; 522 articles in 2025; indexed in SCIE and Scopus.
Scope
Aims, scope and focus
Discrete Mathematics is published by Elsevier and is in Zone 3 of Mathematics in the CAS Journal Ranking (2025 upgraded edition). By OpenAlex counts of its recent articles, its largest topics are Advanced Graph Theory Research, graph theory and CDMA systems and Limits and Structures in Graph Theory, together about 40.9% of its articles. Its main subfields are Computational Theory and Mathematics and Discrete Mathematics and Combinatorics. (generated from OpenAlex topic counts and CAS ranking data)
Discrete Mathematics provides a common forum for significant research in many areas of discrete mathematics and combinatorics.The research areas covered by Discrete Mathematics include graph and hypergraph theory, enumeration, coding theory, block designs, the combinatorics of partially ordered sets, extremal set theory, matroid theory, algebraic combinatorics, discrete geometry, matrices, discrete probability, and parts of cryptography.Discrete Mathematics generally does not include research on dynamical systems, differential equations, or discrete Laplacian operators within its scope. It also does not publish articles that are principally focused on linear algebra, abstract algebraic structures, or fuzzy sets unless they are highly related to one of the main areas of interest. Also, papers focused primarily on applied problems or experimental results fall outside our scope.Items in the journal include research articles (Contributions or Notes, depending on length) and survey/expository articles (Perspectives). Efforts are made to process the submission of Notes (short articles) quickly. The Perspectives section features expository articles accessible to a broad audience that cast new light or present unifying points of view on well-known or insufficiently-known topics.Discrete Mathematics also publishes occasional Special Issues containing selected papers. Such issues are fully refereed and adhere to the normal high standards of the journal.
From the journal's Aims & Scope
Research area (LetPub): Mathematics
Editor-in-chief Douglas B. WestPublisher website
Editorial board by country: 2 in mainland China (about 3%); most named United States 32, Canada 7, France 6, Germany 4, Hungary 4 (72 members with a country) Editorial board ↗Publisher website ·
Main research topics OpenAlex counts of recent articles; shares are approximate
- Advanced Graph Theory ResearchComputer Science18%
- graph theory and CDMA systemsEngineering13.1%
- Limits and Structures in Graph TheoryMathematics9.8%
- Graph Labeling and Dimension ProblemsComputer Science8.8%
- Graph theory and applicationsMathematics8%
- Finite Group Theory ResearchMathematics6.1%
- Coding theory and cryptographyComputer Science6%
- Advanced Combinatorial MathematicsMathematics4.6%
Rankings & indexing
CAS ranking and database indexing
CAS Journal Ranking
CAS Journal Ranking, upgraded edition (March 2025)Mathematics Zone 3
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Mathematics | Zone 3 |
| Minor | Mathematics | Zone 4 |
Top journal: noReview journal: no
CAS Xinrui Journal Ranking (March 2026)Mathematics Zone 4
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Mathematics | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Mathematics | Zone 4 |
Top journal: noReview journal: not marked
CAS Journal Ranking, previous upgraded edition (December 2023)Mathematics Zone 3
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Mathematics | Zone 3 |
| Minor | Mathematics | Zone 3 |
Top journal: noReview journal: no
Database indexing
SCIEScopusLetPub
International journal early-warning lists: not listed in any editionLetPub
Editions, and major and minor categories, are shown separately and never merged into one zone; check which edition your institution uses before you submit or report.
Metrics
Impact metrics and publication volume
Impact
- Impact factor
- 1.05LetPub ·
- Impact factor (publisher)
- 1.1Publisher website ·
- CiteScore 2026-06
- 1.9LetPub ·
- CiteScore (publisher)
- 1.9Publisher website ·
- SJR 2026-06
- 0.78LetPub ·
- SNIP 2026-06
- 1.12LetPub ·
- h-index
- 66LetPub ·
- h-index
- 148OpenAlex ·
- i10-index
- 6,253OpenAlex ·
- 2-year mean citedness
- 0.92OpenAlex ·
- Self-citation rate
- 18.2%LetPub ·
- Share of gold OA articles
- 18.92%LetPub ·
Volume
- Articles per year
- 477LetPub ·
Articles by year OpenAlex count · 19,169 in total · the current year is incomplete
| Year | Articles | Open access | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 424 | 218 | 59 |
| 2025 | 522 | 166 | 345 |
| 2024 | 435 | 151 | 868 |
| 2023 | 471 | 171 | 1,322 |
| 2022 | 481 | 258 | 1,620 |
| 2021 | 423 | 423 | 1,964 |
Sources count differently and were observed at different times, so each source's own value is kept; "publisher" marks figures from the journal's website.
Review & acceptance
Review time and acceptance
Publisher-reported review time from the journal's website
261 dayssubmission to acceptance · community reports about 6 months
The publisher's own definition applies; dates from this journal's articles in the last 24 months are not available yet, so the publisher's figure is used.
Figures by source
- Average review time (community reports)
- about 6 monthsLetPub ·
- Average acceptance (community reports)
- 50%LetPub ·
- Submission to first decision
- 10 daysPublisher website ·
- First decision after review
- 147 daysPublisher website ·
- Submission to acceptance
- 261 daysPublisher website ·
- Acceptance to publication
- 10 daysPublisher website ·
- Peer review
- Single anonymous peer reviewPublisher website
Community reports come from authors' own submissions (confidence 0.5) and are not a promise from the journal; for publisher figures, the journal's own definitions apply.
Fees & open access
APC and open-access policy
Hybrid open accessLetPub
A subscription journal in which authors can pay to publish their article open access.
| Source | APC | Fee waiver | License | Observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenAlex | USD 3,320 / EUR 3,110 / GBP 2,660 / JPY 411,780 | — | — | |
| Publisher website | USD 3,530 | — | — |
A hybrid journal charges the APC only when the author chooses open access; publishing under the subscription model is usually free.
The journal's website is authoritative for fees; sources were observed at different times and each keeps its own value, without averaging.
Submission
Article types and submission policies (journal website)
What to prepare4 items from the author guidelines
- Abstract
- ≤ 250 words
- Keywords
- 1–7
- Reference style
- Numbered, in order of citation
- Highlights
- Optional
Article types accepted9
- contributionFull length original research article of more than 7 journal pages, or about 10 full pages of a typical manuscript.Length not stated
- corrigendumConcise correction to article by the same author published in the journal.Length not stated
- noteA short self-contained original research article of at most 7 journal pages, or about 10 full pages, of a typical manuscript.Length not stated
- original articleContributionFull length original research article of more than 7 journal pages, or about 10 full pages of a typical manuscript.NoteA short self-contained origin…Length not stated
- original paperContributionFull length original research article of more than 7 journal pages, or about 10 full pages of a typical manuscript.NoteA short self-contained origin…Length not stated
- original research articleContributionFull length original research article of more than 7 journal pages, or about 10 full pages of a typical manuscript.NoteA short self-contained origin…Length not stated
- perspectiveContributionFull length original research article of more than 7 journal pages, or about 10 full pages of a typical manuscript.NoteA short self-contained origin…Length not stated
- perspectivesExpository articles of broad interest that cast a new light on well-known or insufficiently-known topics, including survey papers and papers that present the au…Length not stated
- surveyContributionFull length original research article of more than 7 journal pages, or about 10 full pages of a typical manuscript.NoteA short self-contained origin…Length not stated
Policy excerpts from the journal's websiteAI use, Authorship, Conflicts of interest, License & copyright, Open access, Peer review, Preprints
- AI use Declaration of generative AI use
Authors must declare the use of generative AI tools in the manuscript preparation process upon submission of the paper.Generative AI and AI-assisted technologies (“AI tools”) have been rapidly adopted in research and scholarly publishing, offering significant benefits while requiring clear standards for responsible and transparent use.Authors preparing a manuscript for this journal may use AI tool…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Authorship Group authorship
Group authorship refers to the attribution of an article to a defined and named group of authors whose members have contributed to the work. Examples include research consortia, clinical trial groups, collaborative networks, task forces or working groups, expert panels or consensus groups, and participatory research groups. Group authorship must be declared on the title page at submission. When av…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Conflicts of interest Declaration of competing interests
All authors must disclose any financial and personal relationships with other people or organizations that could inappropriately influence or bias their work. Examples of potential competing interests include:EmploymentConsultanciesStock ownershipHonorariaPaid expert testimonyPatent applications or registrationsGrants or any other fundingAffiliation with the journal as an Editor or Advisory Board …
Source ↗Publisher website ·- License & copyright License options
Authors will be offered open access user license options which will determine how you, and third parties, can reuse your open access article. We advise that you review these options and any funding body license requirements before selecting a license option.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Open access Open access
Open Archive after 48 months Model summary
We refer you to our open access information page to learn about open access options for this journal.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Peer review Peer review
Single anonymized peer review Model summary
This journal follows a single anonymized review process. Your submission will initially be assessed by our editors. If your submission is deemed suitable, it will typically be sent to be reviewed by a minimum of one reviewer for an independent expert assessment of the scientific quality. The decision as to whether your article is accepted or rejected for publication will be made by our editors.Rea…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Preprints Preprints
Preprint sharingAuthors may share preprints in line with Elsevier's article sharing policy. Sharing preprints, such as on a preprint server, will not count as prior publication.We advise you to read our policy on multiple, redundant or concurrent publication.
Source ↗Publisher website ·
Excerpts are quoted from the journal's website; "model summary" lines are written by Workers AI and checked against the text. The journal's website is authoritative.
Profile
Publication details and official links
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Country or region
- NETHERLANDS
- Language
- English
- Frequency
- Semimonthly
- Founded
- 1971
- ISSN
- 0012-365X
- Electronic ISSN
- 1872-681X
- Official links
- Journal homepage ↗LetPub
- Submission system ↗Publisher website
- Special issues ↗Publisher website
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Discrete Mathematics
What CAS zone is Discrete Mathematics in?
In the 2025 upgraded edition of the CAS Journal Ranking, Discrete Mathematics is in Zone 3 of Mathematics, and in Zone 4 of the minor category Mathematics. In the 2026 Xinrui edition it is in Zone 4 of Mathematics. Zones from different editions, and from major and minor categories, are not interchangeable.
What is the impact factor of Discrete Mathematics?
The latest impact factor listed by LetPub is 1.05; CiteScore 1.9, h-index 148.
How long does peer review take at Discrete Mathematics?
The publisher reports about 261 days (submission to acceptance); authors report an average review time of about 6 months; the community-reported acceptance is “about 50%”. Article statistics cover accepted papers only, publisher figures follow the journal's own definitions, and community reports come from authors' own submissions; none is a promise from the journal.
What are the manuscript requirements of Discrete Mathematics?
According to the journal's author guidelines: Abstract: ≤ 250 words; Keywords: 1–7; Reference style: Numbered, in order of citation; Highlights: Optional. A model extracted these from the author guidelines and each was checked against the text; check the latest version on the journal's website before submitting.
Where are the editorial board members of Discrete Mathematics based?
Of the 72 board members whose country the journal's board page names, 2 (about 3%) are in mainland China; the countries named most often are United States (32), Canada (7) and France (6). Counted from the institutions listed on the board page; for reference only.
Which databases index Discrete Mathematics?
According to LetPub and DOAJ records, Discrete Mathematics is indexed in SCIE and Scopus.
Is Discrete Mathematics open access, and what is the APC?
Discrete Mathematics is a hybrid journal. For open-access publication: APC about USD 3,320.
Sources and updates
The facts on this page come from LetPub, Publisher website, OpenAlex; every figure is tagged with its source and the date it was observed, and conflicting values are kept per source. LetPub source page: view ↗ (archived 2026-08-25). Last updated: .