PRISMA Flow Diagram Generator
Describe your review numbers or paste your screening counts — LitFigure drafts a PRISMA 2020 flow diagram for author review. Box text editability depends on the document and export type.
Updated 2026-09-19
PRISMA 2020 structure built in
Identification, screening, eligibility and included phases are laid out in the standard arrangement reviewers expect, with database and register branches.
Review counts and reasons
Labels in whole-image SVG may be outlines rather than editable text. PPTX availability and object editability depend on the document type. Inspect the exported file before relying on text or object editing.
Review before manuscript use
Verify all counts, exclusion reasons and the applicable PRISMA template. Inspect the exported file against journal requirements; generation does not certify compliance.
What is a prisma flow diagram generator?
A PRISMA flow diagram is the standardized figure that shows how records moved through your systematic review or meta-analysis — how many were identified, screened, excluded and finally included, with reasons. The PRISMA 2020 statement defines four phases and separates database sources from registers. Generating the diagram with correct structure saves you from redrawing boxes in Word or PowerPoint.
Why it matters
- PRISMA diagrams are required by most journals publishing systematic reviews and meta-analyses
- Reviewers check the four-phase structure and exclusion reasons before anything else in the methods
- Miscounted or mislabeled boxes are a common cause of revision requests
- When screening numbers change, revise the draft and verify every count in the final export
- A correct template prevents structural mistakes like merging eligibility into screening
Where it is used
- Systematic reviews and meta-analyses in medicine and life sciences
- Scoping reviews reporting their search and selection process
- Thesis chapters documenting a literature search
- Grant proposals showing a planned review methodology
- Methods training and evidence-based medicine courses
How to make one
Enter your screening numbers
Describe the counts per database and per phase — or start from the blank template and fill it in.
Generate the diagram
LitFigure lays out the four PRISMA 2020 phases with your counts in place.
Verify and export
Check every count and exclusion reason against your records, then export for the manuscript.
Frequently asked questions
What is a PRISMA flow diagram?
It is the standardized figure in a systematic review showing how many records were identified, screened, assessed for eligibility and included — plus how many were excluded at each step and why. PRISMA 2020 defines four phases and recommends listing exclusion reasons at full-text stage.
What is the difference between screening and eligibility?
Screening is the title-and-abstract pass that removes clearly irrelevant records. Eligibility is the full-text assessment where remaining reports are checked against your inclusion criteria — this is the stage where PRISMA wants explicit exclusion reasons.
Do I need to list exclusion reasons?
List full-text exclusion reasons from your review records. Check that the generated diagram preserves them accurately; text editability depends on the document and export type.
How are databases and registers shown?
PRISMA 2020 separates records identified from databases (PubMed, Embase) from registers and other sources (trial registries, citation searching). The template keeps these as distinct input branches feeding the identification phase.
Can I update the numbers later?
Labels in whole-image SVG may be outlines rather than editable text. PPTX availability and object editability depend on the document type. Inspect the exported file before relying on text or object editing.
Is the PRISMA flow diagram generator free?
Writing your numbers and opening the studio is free; verified accounts get starter credits for generation. Credit packs cover heavier use — see pricing.