The Short Answer

SCI is a historical term associated with the Science Citation Index. Clarivate currently lists Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE) and Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI) as separate Web of Science Core Collection indexes. These are not Scopus indexes. Here is the practical distinction:

  • SCI (Science Citation Index) — a historical term still used in some university and journal-evaluation requirements. Clarivate integrated SCI journal listings into SCIE in January 2020; verify the current index under the journal’s title and ISSN rather than relying on an older "SCI journal" label.
  • SCIE (Science Citation Index Expanded) — a current Web of Science Core Collection index for science journals. A university using the older expression "SCI-indexed" may intend SCIE, but authors should check its exact policy and confirm the journal’s current SCIE coverage.
  • ESCI (Emerging Sources Citation Index) — a current Web of Science Core Collection index for journals that meet Clarivate’s editorial quality criteria. SCIE selection additionally considers impact criteria. ESCI journals can also receive a Journal Impact Factor; inclusion does not guarantee future transfer to SCIE.

What Changed When SCI and SCIE Merged

Clarivate announced that SCI journal listings would be integrated into SCIE from January 2020. The older SCI name still appears in some institutional policies, but its use alone does not establish the current indexing status of a particular journal. The current SCIE listing should be checked directly in Clarivate’s Master Journal List.

If a university, funding body or promotion committee asks for "SCI publications," check the precise version of its policy and whether it accepts SCIE or ESCI; do not assume that terms are interchangeable in every institution.

How ESCI and SCIE Journal Selection Differ

Clarivate evaluates journals against editorial quality criteria and additional impact criteria for its flagship collections. ESCI coverage is a Web of Science indexing status in its own right, not a promise of future SCIE inclusion. ESCI journals:

  • Undergo the same core editorial evaluation as other Web of Science indexes (peer review standards, publishing ethics, timeliness)
  • Are fully indexed and searchable within Web of Science, with citations tracked
  • Became eligible for a Journal Impact Factor in the 2023 Journal Citation Reports release; journal-level metrics and current index status should be checked in official sources

A journal may move between Web of Science collections following editorial re-evaluation, but a move is not automatic. For academic promotion or grants, follow your institution’s stated requirements for specific indexes and publication dates.

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Quick Comparison: SCI vs SCIE vs ESCI

SCI — historical label; consult current SCIE coverage and your institution’s terminology.

SCIE — science index in the Web of Science Core Collection; selection includes editorial quality and impact criteria.

ESCI — distinct Web of Science Core Collection index; included journals may receive Journal Impact Factors.

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SCI SCIE ESCI journal index comparison and publication support

A Note on Web of Science vs Scopus

Different Systems, Different Rules

SCI, SCIE, and ESCI all belong to Clarivate's Web of Science Core Collection — a separate system from Scopus, which is maintained by Elsevier. A journal may be indexed in Scopus, Web of Science, both, or neither. Being covered by one does not guarantee coverage by the other, and the two use different evaluation criteria.

Always Verify Directly Before Submission

Before submitting, search the exact journal title or ISSN in Clarivate’s Master Journal List for SCIE or ESCI coverage and in Elsevier’s Scopus Sources for Scopus coverage. Compare the journal’s identity, current coverage and any discontinued coverage. For detailed steps, see our Scopus verification guide.

Researchers in Türkiye should also see our guide on research evaluation and journal verification in Türkiye. Ready to find journals that fit your research? Get journal selection support.

Frequently Asked Questions About SCI, SCIE, and ESCI

SCI is an older name that remains common in institutional requirements. Clarivate integrated SCI journal listings into SCIE in January 2020. Check the current SCIE listing and your institution’s precise policy rather than assuming the labels always mean the same thing.

Yes. Clarivate expanded Journal Impact Factor coverage to ESCI journals in the 2023 Journal Citation Reports release. Verify a specific journal’s latest metrics in an official source.

Yes, Clarivate may re-evaluate a journal and move it between collections under its editorial selection process. A transfer is not automatic, and journal coverage and an individual article’s indexing history should be verified separately.

Not always. Some universities and funding bodies count ESCI and SCIE publications equally; others weigh SCIE more heavily in evaluation, promotion, or grant criteria. Because policies vary by institution and country, it's worth checking your specific institution's current requirements rather than assuming.

No. SCIE is part of Clarivate's Web of Science Core Collection; Scopus is a separate database maintained by Elsevier. A journal can be indexed in one, both, or neither, and coverage should be verified independently for each database before submission.

Search the exact journal title in Clarivate's official Master Journal List, which shows current Web of Science coverage and which index a journal belongs to. Because status can change, verify again close to your actual submission date rather than relying on an older check.