How to Use Unpaywall

Getting started with Unpaywall

With Unpaywall, you can quickly find open access versions of research papers without hitting paywalls. This guide will help you install the extension and start accessing free PDFs in just a few minutes.

Step 1: Sign up and set up

1. Go to the Unpaywall website: unpaywall.org.
2. Click on the "Install" button at the top of the page.
3. Choose your browser: Click on either "Chrome" or "Firefox" depending on which you use.
4. You will be redirected to the appropriate browser's extension store. Click on the "Add to Chrome" or "Add to Firefox" button to install.
5. Once installed, you will see a green Unpaywall icon in your browser's toolbar.

Step 2: Your first search

1. Navigate to a journal article or research paper you want to access.
2. Look for the Unpaywall icon in your toolbar. If a free version is available, the icon will turn green.
3. Click on the green icon. A sidebar will open showing the details of the open access version, including a link to the PDF.
4. Click the PDF link to download or view the paper.

Step 3: Get better results

• For best results, ensure you are visiting reputable journal websites or databases. Unpaywall works best with common publishers.
• If you encounter a paper that is not available, try searching for the title in Google Scholar to see if other open access options exist.
• Make sure your browser is up to date to avoid compatibility issues with the extension.

Pro tip

To save time, use the Unpaywall icon as a bookmarklet in your bookmarks bar. This allows you to quickly check for open access versions without needing to navigate away from your current page.

Common mistake to avoid

Don't forget to check the icon's colour. If it’s grey, it means there’s no open access version found. Always look for the green icon for free access.