eLife Figure Requirements
eLife is an open-access journal with a focus on transparency and reproducibility. Figures are published online and have flexible formatting requirements.
Figure Dimensions
| Layout | Width | Height |
|---|---|---|
| Single Column | 90 mm | 200 mm |
| Double Column | 180 mm | 200 mm |
eLife single column: approximately 90 mm; double column: approximately 180 mm.
Resolution & Color
Resolution
Minimum: 300 DPI
Recommended: 300 DPI
300 DPI minimum for all figures. eLife is online-first, so screen resolution is critical.
Color Mode
RGB
eLife is an online-only journal. RGB is the standard color mode.
Accepted File Formats
Maximum file size: No explicit limit; keep under 20 MB
Submission Checklist
- 1300 DPI minimum for all raster images
- 2Single column: ~90 mm; double column: ~180 mm
- 3RGB color mode
- 4TIFF, EPS, PDF, or PNG format
- 5Embed fonts in vector files
- 6Use sans-serif fonts
- 7Label panels with uppercase letters
- 8Include scale bars
- 9Ensure text ≥6 pt at final size
Common Mistakes
Frequently Asked Questions
Is eLife online-only?
Yes, eLife is primarily an online-only open-access journal. RGB is the standard color mode. There is no print edition requiring CMYK conversion.
What file formats does eLife accept?
eLife accepts TIFF, EPS, PDF, JPEG, and PNG. Vector formats (EPS/PDF) are preferred for line art and graphs.
Official Guidelines
Always verify requirements on the journal's official author guidelines page before submission. Journal policies may change.
eLife official author guidelinesRelated Pages
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