How to Create a PRISMA Flow Diagram in Minutes [Free Tool]

A PRISMA flow diagram is a required component of any systematic review, documenting exactly how studies were identified, screened, and selected for inclusion. Using our free PRISMA 2020 diagram generator, you can create a publication-ready PRISMA diagram in minutes without any design software, coding skills, or manual drawing. This guide walks you through the entire process step by step.

The PRISMA 2020 flow diagram generator provides a real-time live preview of your diagram as you enter data, supports all four official template types, and exports high-resolution PNG images suitable for journal manuscripts. No signup is required to start creating your diagram.

Before You Begin: Gather Your Data

Before opening the diagram generator, collect the numbers from your systematic review's study selection process. You will need:

Number of records identified from each database (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, etc.) and any registers searched
Number of records from other sources (if applicable): websites, organizations, citation searching, grey literature
Duplicate records removed and any records excluded by automation tools
Records screened at the title and abstract stage, and how many were excluded
Reports sought for retrieval and how many could not be retrieved
Reports assessed for full-text eligibility and the number excluded at this stage with specific reasons
Final number of studies and reports included in the review

If you are conducting your systematic review using software like Rayyan or Covidence, these numbers should be available from your screening dashboard.

Step 1: Select Your PRISMA 2020 Template Type

The first decision is choosing the correct template. PRISMA 2020 provides four official templates based on two factors:

Is your review new or an update of a previously published systematic review?
Did you search databases/registers only, or did you also use other sources?

This gives you four options:

New review, databases only
New review, databases + other sources
Updated review, databases only
Updated review, databases + other sources

Most researchers conducting an original systematic review that included citation searching or grey literature will select "New review (databases + other sources)." For a detailed explanation of each template, read our guide on the four PRISMA 2020 flow diagram templates.

Step 2: Enter Your Identification Data

Start with the Identification phase. In the form's "Databases & Registers" section:

Add each database you searched with its name and the number of records returned
Enter the number of records from registers (if applicable)
Use the "Add database" button if you searched more than the default number of databases

If your template includes other sources, fill in the records from websites, organizations, and citation searching in the "Other Sources" section.

Step 3: Enter Records Removed Before Screening

In the "Records Removed Before Screening" section, enter:

Duplicate records removed: The number of duplicates identified and removed using deduplication tools
Records removed by automation tools: If you used machine learning or automation to flag ineligible records before human screening
Records removed for other reasons: Any additional records removed before the screening stage

Step 4: Enter Screening and Retrieval Data

In the Screening section:

Enter the total number of records screened at the title and abstract stage
Enter how many records were excluded during screening

In the Retrieval sections:

Enter reports sought for retrieval (full-text articles you attempted to obtain)
Enter reports not retrieved (articles you could not access)

If your template has "other sources," fill in the corresponding retrieval numbers for that column as well.

Step 5: Enter Eligibility Data with Exclusion Reasons

In the Eligibility section:

Enter the number of reports assessed for full-text eligibility
Add your exclusion reasons with counts (e.g., "Wrong population: 45", "Wrong intervention: 32")
Click "Add exclusion reason" to add as many reasons as needed

This is where many researchers make mistakes. Ensure your exclusion reasons are specific and that the numbers add up correctly. See our article on common PRISMA diagram mistakes and how to avoid them.

Step 6: Enter Included Studies

In the Included Studies section:

Enter the number of studies included in the review
Enter the number of reports of included studies (may differ from studies if one study has multiple publications)
For updated reviews, also enter the total studies and reports (combining previous and new)

Step 7: Preview and Adjust

As you enter data, the live preview panel on the right updates instantly. Review your diagram for:

Correct numbers in each box
Logical flow (numbers should decrease from top to bottom)
Complete exclusion reasons
Proper template type for your review

You can also click the AI Load Example button to see how a completed diagram looks with realistic data.

Step 8: Download Your Diagram

Click the Download PNG button to export your diagram as a high-resolution image. The exported PNG is rendered at 2x resolution for crisp, publication-quality output.

Tips for a Professional PRISMA Flow Diagram

Be consistent with terminology: Use "records," "reports," and "studies" as defined by PRISMA 2020
Include specific exclusion reasons: "Wrong population" is better than "Did not meet criteria"
Verify your numbers: The total excluded + included should equal the total screened
Use the correct template: Don't use a databases-only template if you also searched grey literature
Keep exclusion reasons concise: Aim for 3-7 distinct reason categories

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to create a PRISMA flow diagram?

With your study selection data ready, you can create a complete PRISMA 2020 flow diagram in 2-5 minutes using our free generator. The real-time preview means you can verify the diagram as you go.

Can I edit my diagram after downloading?

The PNG export is a static image. If you need to make changes, simply update the numbers in the form and download a new PNG. Your data persists in the browser during your session.

What resolution is the exported PNG?

The diagram is exported at 2x pixel ratio, producing a high-resolution image suitable for journal publication, thesis submission, and conference presentations.

Do I need to cite the PRISMA 2020 statement?

Yes. When using a PRISMA 2020 flow diagram in a manuscript, cite the PRISMA 2020 statement: Page MJ, McKenzie JE, Bossuyt PM, et al. The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ. 2021;372:n71.