Journal Requirements/Nature

Nature Figure Requirements

Nature is one of the most prestigious multidisciplinary scientific journals. Figures must meet exacting standards for resolution, format, and color mode.

Resolution
300 DPI
Color Mode
CMYK preferred; RGB accepted for online-only
Formats
TIFF, EPS, PDF, JPEG

Figure Dimensions

LayoutWidthHeight
Single Column89 mm200 mm
Double Column183 mm200 mm
Full Page183 mm247 mm

Nature prefers single-column width for most figures. Double-column (183 mm) is reserved for complex multi-panel figures.

Resolution & Color

Resolution

Minimum: 300 DPI

Recommended: 300 DPI

All line art and halftone images must be at 300 DPI minimum. Raster images at 600 DPI preferred for quality.

Color Mode

CMYK preferred; RGB accepted for online-only

Nature strongly prefers CMYK for print. RGB is acceptable for web-only submissions. Avoid pure black (100% K) for large areas.

Accepted File Formats

TIFFEPSPDFJPEG

Maximum file size: 10 MB per figure

Submission Checklist

  • 1All figures at 300 DPI minimum (600 DPI preferred for raster images)
  • 2Single-column width: 89 mm (3.5 in); double-column: 183 mm (7.2 in)
  • 3Submit in TIFF, EPS, or PDF format
  • 4Use CMYK color mode for print; RGB acceptable for online
  • 5Embed all fonts in vector files (EPS/PDF)
  • 6Label panels with uppercase letters (A, B, C) in a consistent font
  • 7Include scale bars on all microscopy images
  • 8Provide figure legends as a separate text file
  • 9Number figures sequentially in the order they appear in the text
  • 10Ensure statistical significance markers are clearly visible
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Common Mistakes

✗Submitting figures at 72 DPI (web resolution) instead of 300 DPI
✗Using RGB color mode for print submissions
✗Forgetting to embed fonts in EPS or PDF files
✗Including text smaller than 6 pt (too small to read when printed)
✗Submitting bitmap text instead of vector text
✗Using inconsistent panel label styles across figures
✗Omitting scale bars from microscopy images
✗Exceeding the 10 MB per-figure file size limit

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the preferred figure format for Nature journal submissions?

Nature prefers TIFF for raster images, EPS for vector graphics, and PDF for multi-panel assembled figures. JPEG is acceptable but not recommended for line art due to compression artifacts.

Does Nature require CMYK color mode?

CMYK is strongly preferred for print publication. RGB is acceptable for online-only submissions. The journal provides color conversion guidance during the production process.

What is the minimum DPI for Nature figures?

300 DPI is the absolute minimum. For raster images (photographs, microscopy), 600 DPI is preferred to ensure quality reproduction at print size.

Can I use RGB for Nature figures?

RGB is accepted for online publication. If your figure is print-only, convert to CMYK before submission. The production team can convert RGB to CMYK, but colors may shift.

What font size should I use for Nature figures?

Use a minimum of 6 pt font size for all text labels. Figure text should be readable at the final printed size (single column: 89 mm wide).

Official Guidelines

Always verify requirements on the journal's official author guidelines page before submission. Journal policies may change.

Nature official author guidelines

Related Pages

Export at 300 DPITemplatesAI Publication Figure BuilderNature Figure ChecklistCell Figure Checklist

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