Journal profile · Mathematics, Applied
OPTIMAL CONTROL APPLICATIONS & METHODS
ISSN 0143-2087 · eISSN 1099-1514 · John Wiley and Sons Ltd · ENGLAND · Bimonthly · Founded 1980
OPTIMAL CONTROL APPLICATIONS & METHODS: CAS Zone 4 · Computer Science (2025 upgraded edition); impact factor 2.12; hybrid open access; APC about USD 4,020; median 224 days to acceptance (88 articles, last 24 months); community-reported acceptance: easy; 158 articles in 2025; indexed in SCIE and Scopus.
Scope
Aims, scope and focus
OPTIMAL CONTROL APPLICATIONS & METHODS is published by John Wiley and Sons Ltd and is in Zone 4 of Computer Science in the CAS Journal Ranking (2025 upgraded edition). By OpenAlex counts of its recent articles, its largest topics are Advanced Control Systems Optimization, Stability and Control of Uncertain Systems and Control Systems and Identification, together about 34% of its articles. Its main subfields are Control and Systems Engineering. (generated from OpenAlex topic counts and CAS ranking data)
Papers that do not include an element of optimization or optimal control and estimation theory will not be considered by the journal and all papers will be expected to include significant novel material. Optimal Control Applications and Methods will provide a forum for papers on the full range of optimal control and related control design methods. The aim is to encourage new developments in optimal control theory and design methodologies that may lead to advances in real control applications. Papers are encouraged on the development of computational algorithms for solving optimal control and optimization problems. The scope includes papers on optimal estimation and filtering methods that have control-related applications. It will also provide a venue for interesting optimal control applications and design studies. Papers on linear and nonlinear predictive control methods will be particularly encouraged. Suitable papers will normally be concerned with model based optimal control methods covering topics such as optimal control in multi-agent systems, optimal nonlinear and robust control, H2 and H∞ design, linear-quadratic control, stochastic control, multi-criteria and multiple-model control. It also covers optimal control of hybrid systems, switching systems, repetitive and periodic control. The optimal adaptive control of systems is of interest and large-scale systems, distributed systems and time-delay systems. Optimal estimation and filtering methods are included, and optimal fault estimation, safety-critical, fault-tolerant and reliable control systems. Topics in optimization algorithms for control are relevant such as static and dynamic optimization techniques, nonlinear programming, constrained control and dynamic programming. There is a strong interest in engineering applications including: manufacturing and industrial processes, aerospace and defence, marine and automotive systems, electro-mechanical systems, robotics, electrical power generation and distribution systems, energy systems (including wind turbines, wave, tidal, battery, fuel cell, solar, and refining systems), chemical and petrochemical processes, biological and biomedical systems, environmental control, water treatment and distribution, electrical and electronic systems, networked control, and control of networks. Applications of interest also include a wide range of interdisciplinary, decentralized, complex systems, where multi-agent solutions, artificial intelligence, intelligent se
From the journal's Aims & Scope
Research area (LetPub): Mathematics, Applied
Editorial board by country: 8 in mainland China (about 21%); most named United States 12, Mainland China 8, Italy 6, United Kingdom 3, Germany 2 (38 members with a country) Editorial board ↗Publisher website ·
Main research topics OpenAlex counts of recent articles; shares are approximate
- Advanced Control Systems OptimizationEngineering13.8%
- Stability and Control of Uncertain SystemsEngineering12.7%
- Control Systems and IdentificationEngineering7.5%
- Adaptive Control of Nonlinear SystemsEngineering7.3%
- Fault Detection and Control SystemsEngineering5.1%
- Neural Networks Stability and SynchronizationComputer Science3.8%
- Frequency Control in Power SystemsEngineering3.7%
- Numerical methods for differential equationsMathematics3.7%
Rankings & indexing
CAS ranking and database indexing
CAS Journal Ranking
CAS Journal Ranking, upgraded edition (March 2025)Computer Science Zone 4
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Computer Science | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Automation & Control Systems | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Mathematics, Applied | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Operations Research & Management Science | Zone 4 |
Top journal: noReview journal: no
CAS Xinrui Journal Ranking (March 2026)Computer Science Zone 4
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Computer Science | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Automation & Control Systems | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Operations Research & Management Science | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Mathematics, Applied | Zone 4 |
Top journal: noReview journal: not marked
CAS Journal Ranking, previous upgraded edition (December 2023)Computer Science Zone 4
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Computer Science | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Automation & Control Systems | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Mathematics, Applied | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Operations Research & Management Science | Zone 4 |
Top journal: noReview journal: no
Database indexing
SCIEScopusLetPub
International journal early-warning lists: not listed in any editionLetPub
Indexing the journal's website claims
EI CompendexWeb of ScienceINSPECMathSciNetzbMATHCurrent ContentsPublisher website
Other: ProQuest
As the journal's website lists them, not checked against each database; for Web of Science editions the records above apply.
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
- 2.12LetPub ·
- Impact factor (publisher)
- 2.1Publisher website ·
- Impact factor (publisher) 2025
- 2.1Publisher website ·
- CiteScore 2026-06
- 4.2LetPub ·
- CiteScore (publisher)
- 4.2Publisher website ·
- CiteScore (publisher) 2025
- 4.2Publisher website ·
- SJR 2026-06
- 0.42LetPub ·
- SNIP 2026-06
- 0.67LetPub ·
- h-index
- 39LetPub ·
- h-index
- 66OpenAlex ·
- i10-index
- 844OpenAlex ·
- 2-year mean citedness
- 3.36OpenAlex ·
- Self-citation rate
- 9.5%LetPub ·
- Share of gold OA articles
- 7.39%LetPub ·
Volume
- Articles per year
- 145LetPub ·
- Articles per year (publisher) 2025
- 146Publisher website ·
- Downloads per year (publisher) 2025
- 79,406Publisher website ·
Articles by year OpenAlex count · 2,818 in total · the current year is incomplete
| Year | Articles | Open access | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 82 | 18 | 79 |
| 2025 | 158 | 63 | 400 |
| 2024 | 157 | 69 | 854 |
| 2023 | 132 | 65 | 672 |
| 2022 | 124 | 13 | 868 |
| 2021 | 154 | 28 | 1,655 |
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
Review time from article dates manuscript dates registered with Crossref · to
224 daysMedian, submission to acceptance · P25–P75 155 days – 335 days
- Acceptance to online
- median 24 days (88 articles)
- Submission to online
- median 253 days
- Sample
- 88 articles with submission and acceptance dates (269 in the window); the latest was accepted on
Only articles that were accepted and published are counted, not the time spent on rejected manuscripts, so this usually runs longer than a publisher's "time to first decision".
Other sources
- Average review time (community reports)
- over 12 weeksLetPub ·
- Average acceptance (community reports)
- EasyLetPub ·
- Acceptance rate (publisher)
- 6%Publisher website ·
- Acceptance rate (publisher) 2025
- 6%Publisher website ·
- Submission to first decision
- 4 daysPublisher website ·
- Submission to first decision 2025
- 4 daysPublisher website ·
- Submission to acceptance 2025
- 189 daysPublisher website ·
- Acceptance to publication 2025
- 23 daysPublisher website ·
- Peer review
- Single-anonymous peer reviewPublisher website · model-extracted
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 4,020 / EUR 3,350 / GBP 2,680 | — | — |
A hybrid journal charges the APC only when the author chooses open access; publishing under the subscription model is usually free.
Other charges and waivers (author guidelines)
- Page charges
- No page charges
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 prepare8 items from the author guidelines
- Abstract
- ≤ 250 words
- Keywords
- ≤ 6
- Manuscript length
- ≤ 2,000 words
- Reference style
- AMA
- Templates
- LaTeX and Word
- Suggested reviewers
- Required
- Graphical abstract
- Optional
- Cover letter
- Required
Article types accepted1, with length limits
- short communicationcribe your paper for indexing purposes. Short Communications (limited to 2000 words) and Comments (limited to 500 words) should be prepared inmain text ≤ 2,000 words
Policy excerpts from the journal's websiteLicense & copyright, Peer review
- License & copyright COPYRIGHT AND PERMISSIONS
If your paper is accepted, the author identified as the formal corresponding author for the paper will receive an email prompting them to login into Author Services; where via the Wiley Author Licensing Service (WALS) they will be able to complete the license agreement on behalf of all authors on the paper.For authors signing the copyright transfer agreementIf the Open Access option is not selecte…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Peer review MANUSCRIPT SUBMISSION AND PEER REVIEW PROCESS
New submissions should be made via the Research Exchange submission portal https://authors.wiley.com/journal/OCA. Should your manuscript proceed to the revision stage, you will be directed to make your revisions via the same submission portal. You may check the status of your submission at any time by logging on to https://authors.wiley.com and clicking the “My Submissions” button. For technical h…
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
- John Wiley and Sons Ltd
- Country or region
- ENGLAND
- Language
- English
- Frequency
- Bimonthly
- Founded
- 1980
- ISSN
- 0143-2087
- Electronic ISSN
- 1099-1514
- Latest issue on the website
- Volume 47, Issue 5 (October 2026)
- Official links
- Journal homepage ↗OpenAlex
- Submission system ↗LetPub
- Special issues ↗Publisher website
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about OPTIMAL CONTROL APPLICATIONS & METHODS
What CAS zone is OPTIMAL CONTROL APPLICATIONS & METHODS in?
In the 2025 upgraded edition of the CAS Journal Ranking, OPTIMAL CONTROL APPLICATIONS & METHODS is in Zone 4 of Computer Science, and in Zone 4 of the minor category Automation & Control Systems / Mathematics, Applied / Operations Research & Management Science. In the 2026 Xinrui edition it is in Zone 4 of Computer Science. Zones from different editions, and from major and minor categories, are not interchangeable.
What is the impact factor of OPTIMAL CONTROL APPLICATIONS & METHODS?
The latest impact factor listed by LetPub is 2.12; CiteScore 4.2, h-index 66.
How long does peer review take at OPTIMAL CONTROL APPLICATIONS & METHODS?
Based on the dates recorded on 88 articles published between October 2024 and October 2026 (the last 24 months), the median time from submission to acceptance is 224 days (interquartile range 155–335 days); authors report an average review time of over 12 weeks; the community-reported acceptance is “Easy”; the journal's website gives an acceptance rate of 6% (2025). 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 OPTIMAL CONTROL APPLICATIONS & METHODS?
According to the journal's author guidelines: Abstract: ≤ 250 words; Keywords: ≤ 6; Manuscript length: ≤ 2,000 words; Reference style: AMA; Templates: LaTeX and Word; Suggested reviewers: Required; Graphical abstract: Optional; Cover letter: Required. 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 OPTIMAL CONTROL APPLICATIONS & METHODS based?
Of the 38 board members whose country the journal's board page names, 8 (about 21%) are in mainland China; the countries named most often are United States (12), Mainland China (8) and Italy (6). Counted from the institutions listed on the board page; for reference only.
Which databases index OPTIMAL CONTROL APPLICATIONS & METHODS?
According to LetPub and DOAJ records, OPTIMAL CONTROL APPLICATIONS & METHODS is indexed in SCIE and Scopus. The journal's website also lists EI Compendex, Web of Science, INSPEC, MathSciNet, zbMATH and Current Contents; that list has not been checked against each database.
Is OPTIMAL CONTROL APPLICATIONS & METHODS open access, and what is the APC?
OPTIMAL CONTROL APPLICATIONS & METHODS is a hybrid journal. For open-access publication: APC about USD 4,020.
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 2026-08-26). Last updated: .