In the landscape of academic publishing, the term "co-first author" is increasingly common. It refers to a scenario where two or more researchers have made roughly equivalent contributions to a study and are listed as joint first authors. The fundamental question for many researchers, especially early-career ones, is: how many co-first authors can a journal article have? The answer is not a fixed universal number. It varies significantly by journal, field of study, and the specific nature of the research. While a standard is traditionally two, the practice has evolved to include three or more in some disciplines.
For many years, and still in the majority of journals, the standard for co-first authorship is two individuals. This model works well when two principal researchers—often a PhD student and a postdoc, or two mid-career scientists—have shared the most demanding experimental and analytical workload. Journals like *Cell* and *Nature* frequently publish articles with two co-first authors. In these cases, their names are typically marked with an asterisk or superscript "1" and a footnote clarifying "These authors contributed equally to this work." This system is well-established, clear, and matches the traditional structure of a small, highly collaborative lab team.
In high-energy physics, genomics, and large-scale clinical trials, a single experiment might involve dozens or even hundreds of researchers. In these fields, it is not uncommon to see three, four, or even five co-first authors listed on a paper. The rationale is that the effort leading to the key findings involves a small core team within a larger consortium. Some open-access journals, like those published by PLOS or Frontiers, explicitly permit co-first authorship for up to four or five authors, provided the editor is convinced of equal contribution. However, researchers should be aware that adding more than two co-first authors can sometimes raise eyebrows during manuscript review, as it may appear to dilute the concept of "first" authorship.
The most decisive factor in determining how many co-first authors are acceptable is the journal’s author guidelines. Before submitting a manuscript, it is absolutely critical to check the journal’s specific policy. For example, journals from the *Nature* portfolio often limit co-first authorship to two, with rare exceptions. Meanwhile, many other high-impact titles, such as *Science* and *The Lancet*, have more flexibility but require a strong justification. Some journals explicitly state "no more than two co-first authors" in their submission guidelines. Others, such as *Scientific Reports*, allow for a flexible designation, often up to three. Ignoring these rules can lead to desk rejection or delays during the editorial process.
Understanding how co-first authors are recognized in citations is essential. When a paper has two co-first authors, most citation styles, such as APA or Chicago, list the first co-first author in the citation, followed by "et al." after the second author’s name. For example, "Smith, Jones, et al. (2024)" would be common. However, for papers with three or more co-first authors, many scholars and databases recommend adding a footnote or using a distinct symbol to avoid ambiguity. The CV of each co-first author must also state the number of co-first authors on the paper, as a paper with five co-first authors gives each individual less proportional credit for being "first" than a paper with two. Clarifying this in grant applications and tenure reviews is vital for accurate evaluation of contributions.
When deciding the number of co-first authors for a project, researchers must consider both ethics and logistics. A key question is: “Did each listed co-first author truly contribute equally to the core intellectual and experimental content of the paper?” If the answer is yes, then the number can be justified. Conversely, adding someone as a co-first author solely for personal gain or to inflate a grant application is a breach of academic integrity. It is highly advisable to discuss and agree on authorship order early in the project, ideally at the project planning stage. This prevents disagreements at the time of submission. Furthermore, note that many universities and funding bodies now have strict policies on the maximum number of co-first authors they will consider for individual career advancement, often capping it at two or three.
To ensure clarity and fairness, follow these best practices. First, always include a clear "Author Contributions" statement that details what each person did. Second, use an unambiguous method to mark equal contributions, such as asterisks or superscript symbols. Third, include a sentence in the acknowledgments stating "These authors contributed equally." Fourth, for papers with three or more co-first authors, consider using a "co-corresponding" author if senior supervision is shared. Finally, remember that the first author listed among the co-first authors is often considered the primary contact for the work, so discuss who will fill that role. These steps strengthen the article’s integrity and make it easier for readers to assign credit.
In conclusion, the number of co-first authors a journal article can have is not a fixed rule but a flexible norm that depends on the journal’s policies, the field of study, and the nature of the collaboration. Two remains the most common and accepted standard. Three or more are possible but require extra justification, careful citation planning, and adherence to journal guidelines. The most important principle is transparency and fairness in acknowledging contributions. Researchers should always consult the target journal’s "Author Guidelines" section, discuss authorship early, and ensure that the co-first author list truly reflects shared intellectual effort. By doing so, the integrity and impact of the research are preserved, and each author receives appropriate credit for their work.
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