Free tools for medical manuscripts / Abbreviation checker

Abbreviation checker for research papers

Paste your manuscript or open a Word file to find abbreviations that are never spelled out, used before they are defined, or expanded in different ways. Works for English, Chinese, Japanese and Korean manuscripts.

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Manuscript text: paste it, or open or drop a Word file (the reference list is skipped automatically)

Check first use separately in the abstract and main text

What it checks

Both forms count as a definition: “full term (ABBR)” and “ABBR (full term)”. With “Check first use separately” on, the abstract and the main text each get their own first use, because many journals ask for abbreviations to be defined in both.

Not defined: the abbreviation appears, but its full term is never given in parentheses.
Used before defined: the abbreviation appears first and is spelled out only later.
Inconsistent expansions: the same abbreviation is spelled out differently in different places, for example “glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c)” and later “hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)”.
Notes: abbreviations used only once, and abbreviations defined more than once in the same part.

What it does not check

Whether the full term itself is correct. It only checks that one is given and used consistently.
Gene names, chemical formulas and trial names may be listed as abbreviations. Decide by the conventions of your field.
Common abbreviations such as DNA, HIV and CI are marked separately. Whether they may stay unexpanded depends on the journal.
Abbreviations in tables and figures. Journals usually ask for these to be defined in the table footnote or figure legend.

Frequently asked questions

If I define an abbreviation in the abstract, do I need to define it again in the main text?

Many medical journals treat the abstract as a stand-alone section and ask for abbreviations to be defined at first use in both the abstract and the main text. Follow your target journal’s instructions; if it does not require this, turn off “Check first use separately”.

Should I use an abbreviation that appears only once or twice?

An abbreviation used only once adds a term for the reader to remember without saving any space. Many editors suggest writing the full term instead.

Can I use abbreviations in the title?

It is generally best to avoid nonstandard abbreviations in the title.

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