How is the 3-year impact calculated?
The 3-year impact factor for year X equals the citations received in year X to items published in years X-1 through X-3, divided by the number of citable items published in those three years.
How should I interpret impact factors?
Longer windows (3-, 5-, 10-year) emphasize sustained influence and reduce volatility. Use them to compare journals within the same field rather than across fields.
