Can articles in open access journals be accessed for free?

Open access journals provide immediate, free online availability of their published articles to all readers. There are typically no subscription fees, paywalls, or registration barriers preventing access. The core principle is unrestricted access facilitated by specific open access licenses, most commonly Creative Commons licenses, which detail reuse rights. Publication costs are often covered by article processing charges paid by authors or their institutions, or through other funding models like institutional subsidies. It is essential to verify the journal's specific open access policy, as some operate under delayed or hybrid models where only certain articles are freely accessible. Readers should also note that free access applies to the final published version hosted by the journal. The free accessibility of open access journal articles significantly accelerates global knowledge dissemination and democratizes scholarly information. This enables researchers, practitioners, policymakers, educators, and the general public worldwide to utilize the latest findings without financial constraints, thereby enhancing research impact, fostering innovation, and increasing societal benefits derived from publicly funded and other research.