arXivID

arXivID is a unique identifier assigned to each preprint submitted to the arXiv repository, a widely used open-access archive for scholarly articles, primarily in the fields of mathematics, physics, astronomy, computer science, and quantitative biology. Introduced in the late 1990s, arXivID serves as a persistent and stable reference for locating and citing preprints, even as the repository evolves.

Each arXivID consists of a combination of letters and numbers, formatted as a string such as "arXiv:2304.05678" or "arXiv:math/9404266," where the first part ("arXiv:") is a fixed prefix, followed by a year-month-day code and a unique sequential number. Older submissions may use a subject area code (e.g., "math," "cs," or "astro-ph") instead of the date prefix. The format ensures clarity and avoids ambiguity in citations.

arXivIDs are generated automatically upon submission and remain unchanged unless the preprint is withdrawn or replaced. They are widely used in academic publications, conference proceedings, and research databases to link to preprints, facilitating collaboration and early dissemination of ideas. The system supports versioning, allowing authors to update their work while retaining the original arXivID for historical reference.

Unlike DOI (Digital Object Identifier) or other persistent identifiers, arXivIDs are not assigned by a centralized authority but are managed by the arXiv team. While not as universally standardized as DOIs, they remain a trusted and efficient way to reference preprints in scholarly communication. Researchers often include arXivIDs in citations alongside traditional publication details to provide immediate access to preprint versions.