FAQ+A

What is the difference between a PubMed ID and a PubMed Central ID?

Answer

The PubMed Central reference number (PMCID) is different from the PubMed reference number (PMID). PubMed Central is an index of full-text papers, while PubMed is an index of abstracts. The PMCID links to full-text papers in PubMed Central, while the PMID links to abstracts in PubMed. PMIDs have nothing to do with the NIH Public Access Policy.

Example of a PMID and corresponding PMCID:

  • PMID: 23049819
  • PMCID: PMC3458919
  • Last Updated Oct 16, 2025
  • Views 3
  • Answered By Beth Levine

FAQ comments

Comments (0)