What resolution does PNAS require?

Use 300–1200 ppi , depending on image type.

What is the minimum font size in a PNAS figure?

Use 6–12 points after reduction.

What file formats does PNAS accept for figures?

Accepted formats include TIFF, EPS, PDF, and PPT.

What width should a PNAS figure be?

Use 8.7 cm , 11.4 cm , or 17.8 cm widths.

What line weight does PNAS require?

Line weights should be at least 0.25 points .

PNAS Formatting Requirements 2026: Figures, DPI, Fonts

PNAS figures use 300 ppi to 1200 ppi by image type.

The workflow is as important as the numbers: PNAS has manuscript page and display-element expectations, and the submission system handles figure source files separately for LaTeX. Prepare the art at the size you want published, then check the final file and the compiled manuscript together.

PNAS figure specifications at a glance

A scientific figure for PNAS must remain legible after final-size reduction.

Parameter	Requirement
One-column width	8.7 cm
One-and-a-half-column width	11.4 cm
Two-column width	17.8 cm
Recommended maximum height	22.5 cm
Text after reduction	6 points to 12 points
Halftone without type	300 ppi
Combination halftone	600–900 ppi
Line art	1000–1200 ppi
Color mode	RGB
Accepted figure files	TIFF, EPS, PDF, or PPT
Minimum vector line weight	0.25 points

PNAS's digital guide prefers vector files because they remain scalable. It also asks authors to embed fonts in vector files and keep the same font across the manuscript's figures.

How wide can a figure be? Single vs double column

Use 8.7 cm for one column, 11.4 cm for one-and-a-half columns, or 17.8 cm for two columns. Keep the height below the recommended 22.5 cm maximum so the legend and page layout remain workable.

Prepare the artwork at its intended final size rather than using the full page as a canvas. PNAS can decide the final published size and may ask authors to shorten a manuscript that exceeds the length requirement.

What's the minimum font size inside a figure?

After reduction, numbers, letters, and symbols should be no smaller than 6 points and no larger than 12 points. Keep type size consistent within a graphic. The guide lists standard fonts such as Arial, Helvetica, Times, Symbol, Mathematical Pi, and European Pi, and asks authors to embed fonts in vector files.

The lower bound protects legibility; the upper bound keeps the graphic from carrying oversized display text. Check the reduced figure, not only the source canvas.

Which file formats and resolutions does PNAS accept?

The submission guidance accepts TIFF, EPS, PDF, or PPT for figures and schemes. The digital guide prefers vector images such as EPS, AI, and PDF for line art and editable text.

Use 300 ppi for grayscale or color images without type, 600–900 ppi for grayscale or color images with type, and 1000–1200 ppi for line art such as bar graphs. Use RGB for color image files and LZW compression rather than JPEG compression when saving the preferred raster formats.

Does PNAS require a graphical abstract?

The PNAS submission page lists the manuscript components, figures, tables, and legends, but it does not list a separate graphical abstract as a required component. Do not confuse an article figure with an optional cover image: PNAS handles cover images through a separate invitation and submission path.

If your result needs a visual summary, use an ordinary figure with a clear legend and call it out in the manuscript. Do not add an unlabeled graphical abstract file to the submission package unless the current submission system explicitly requests it.

How many figures can you include?

PNAS does not give one universal figure count for every article type on the public page. A standard six-page Research Report is described as approximately 4 medium-size graphical elements, while the journal allows up to 12 pages for a Research Report. Treat that example as an article-type planning anchor, not as a promise that every paper has the same cap.

Brief Reports are limited to 3 pages, approximately 1,600 words, and 15 references; their supporting information is limited to extended methods, essential datasets, and videos, with no additional tables or figures.

Supplementary, appendix, and extended data figures

PNAS calls its supplementary package an SI Appendix. Refer to it in the manuscript, number supporting figures and tables as S1, S2, and so on, and keep the main article self-contained without relying on the SI for its central logic.

For LaTeX submissions, upload each figure source separately as the Figure file type and keep tables in the main manuscript file. The submission page also requires data-sharing plans for data, documentation, and code used in the analysis.

Word and page limits by article type

Article type	Typical or maximum length	Other limits stated by PNAS
Research Report	preferred 6 pages, maximum 12 pages	about 4,000 words, 50 references, 4 medium-size graphical elements for a standard 6-page example
Brief Report	3 pages	about 1,600 words, 15 references, no additional SI tables or figures
Letter to the Editor	—	500 words, 2 graphical elements, 10 references

These are article-type rules, not a single journal-wide word limit. Read the relevant article-type description before choosing the layout.

Templates: LaTeX or Word?

PNAS provides a LaTeX template and an Overleaf workflow. The submission system runs PDFLaTeX, so the author page advises using the latest LaTeX2e and the supplied class, style, bibliography, and support files. For Word or RTF, keep tables editable and upload figure files in the accepted figure type.

Use the official file that matches your article type:

Research Report: Word template or Overleaf template
Brief Report: Word template or Overleaf template
SI Appendix: Word template or Overleaf template
Local LaTeX build: main .tex, class, style, bibliography, and additional instructions

Avoid nesting, cross-referencing, and input commands that can cause LaTeX compilation errors. If the system-generated PDF is incomplete, PNAS allows an alternate PDF as a related manuscript file.

Title page, cover letter, and highlights

The initial package should include a title page, abstract, significance statement for Direct and Contributed Submissions, main text, references, figure legends, contact and competing-interest information, data-sharing plans, funding and license information, and at least three appropriate Editorial Board members, NAS members, and qualified reviewers.

The title should be under 135 characters, the abstract no more than 250 words, and the significance statement no more than 120 words when required. The public submission checklist does not list a separate highlights file.

Formatting quirks specific to PNAS

PNAS has three production quirks worth checking before upload:

Figure source files are handled separately for LaTeX, while tables remain in the main manuscript file.
The publication-ready guide expects images at final size and may reduce figures to fit the article length.
PNAS includes alternative text for journal figures in the version of record beginning with Volume 123; production generates and reviews that text.

Keep source files, fonts, and the compiled PDF together until the production team confirms the final version.

Figure problems that trigger a revision request

The digital guide identifies low-resolution images as a leading cause of art resubmission and schedule delays. Typical failures include a raster image below the right ppi band, unembedded fonts, RGB conversion mistakes, a line below 0.25 points, an oversized canvas, and a figure whose text becomes unreadable after reduction.

PNAS also does not recommend figures submitted in Microsoft Office because they may take additional processing time and can delay publication. Use vector artwork for line art whenever possible.

Build a PNAS-ready figure

Set the final canvas to 8.7 cm, 11.4 cm, or 17.8 cm wide and keep its height below 22.5 cm.
Use RGB and choose 300 ppi, 600–900 ppi, or 1000–1200 ppi according to the image type.
Keep text between 6 points and 12 points, embed the fonts, and keep vector lines at least 0.25 points.
Export one of TIFF, EPS, PDF, or PPT, with vector artwork preferred for text and line art.
Check the source figure, the compiled PDF, the legend, and the article-type page limit as one package.

Keep the source file editable

Final-size vector artwork makes PNAS width, type, line, and font checks possible before production.

Try Free

Vector Canvas is useful when you need to adjust an existing label or line after reduction, while Figure Enhancer can refine and export an existing figure. Keep the original source and do not rely on a screenshot as the only uploadable file. For the submission package, read the PNAS submission guide; for metric context, read the PNAS Impact Factor guide.

Does PNAS allow AI-generated figures?

PNAS does not permit AI-generated images or graphics in a standard submission. Its policy says AI tools for creating images or graphics may not be used unless the software is the subject of the work under consideration. PNAS also does not permit AI-generated content in cover art submissions. If AI or generative AI was used during the research process, disclose the tool name and model or version in Materials and Methods or Acknowledgments.

If your figure already exists:

Raster figure that needs an editable SVG: use Vector Canvas to turn it into editable vector figure, with labels, elements, and layers ready for further editing.
Existing figure that needs a quality boost: use Figure Enhancer to clean up, upscale, and export it up to 8K.
Other uses: These editing workflows support grant figures, posters, defense slides, theses, and lab pages. For grant, conference, institutional, or other tasks where AI-generated visuals are allowed, you can also explore Text-to-Figure to create a new draft.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

This page uses official PNAS pages captured through a rendered browser session and reviewed in 2026.

PNAS — Submitting Your Manuscript — article types, page and word planning, manuscript components, figures, and SI
PNAS — Editorial and Journal Policies — AI disclosure and image policy
PNAS — Digital Art Guidelines — resolution, color, fonts, width, and line-weight requirements
PNAS — Publication Charges — current APC and license structure

See our editorial standards for how these guides are researched and corrected.