PRISMA flow diagram template (PRISMA 2020)
Updated 2026-09-24
The PRISMA 2020 flow diagram comes in four versions. This page explains each template, when to use it and how to fill it in with the free online generator.
The four PRISMA 2020 flow diagram templates
- New systematic review, databases and registers only: the simplest version, for reviews that searched only bibliographic databases and trial or study registers.
- New systematic review, databases, registers and other methods: adds a second stream for websites, organisations, citation searching and reference lists.
- Updated systematic review, databases and registers only: adds the studies included in the previous version of the review.
- Updated systematic review, databases, registers and other methods: combines both changes.
How to choose your template
Use the "new review" versions for a first review of a topic, and the "updated review" versions when you are updating a published review. Choose "other methods" if any of your included studies came from sources other than database or register searches, for example hand-searching reference lists.
What is in the template
Every version has an Identification band, a Screening band and an Included band. The wording follows the official template: records identified from databases and registers, records removed before screening, records screened, records excluded, reports sought for retrieval, reports not retrieved, reports assessed for eligibility, reports excluded with reasons, and studies included in the review.
Edit the template instead of redrawing it
In the generator, every heading and label is editable. Add the databases you searched, drop the registers box if you did not search any, and add or remove exclusion reasons. The diagram grows or shrinks to fit. When you are done, export it as PNG, SVG or PDF; see the Word guide for inserting it into a manuscript.
Attribution
The template wording and structure come from the official PRISMA 2020 flow diagram: Page MJ, McKenzie JE, Bossuyt PM, et al. The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ 2021;372:n71. doi:10.1136/bmj.n71. The templates are licensed under CC BY 4.0, so please cite the source when you publish your diagram.
Quick answers
Is the PRISMA 2020 flow diagram template free?
Yes. The official templates are licensed under CC BY 4.0, and this generator is free to use with no sign-up.
Source of the flow diagram wording: Page MJ, McKenzie JE, Bossuyt PM, et al. The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ 2021;372:n71. doi:10.1136/bmj.n71. Licensed CC BY 4.0. This site is independent and not affiliated with the PRISMA or EQUATOR Network groups.