STM publishing guide
JATS vs BITS: journal XML vs book XML
Two closely related XML tag suites power scholarly publishing. Here is what separates them and how to choose for your content.
Same family, different scope
BITS is deliberately built on JATS, so the two share element names, math (MathML), tables and reference handling. The difference is structural scope. JATS models a single article; BITS adds the hierarchy a book needs — volumes, parts, chapters, sections and the front/back matter that a monograph carries. Because BITS reuses JATS, a house that produces JATS well can extend to BITS without relearning the core model.
| Aspect | JATS | BITS |
|---|---|---|
| Content type | Journal articles | Books, monographs, edited collections |
| Top structure | <article> | <book> / <book-part> |
| Hierarchy | Article-level sections | Parts, chapters, sub-chapters |
| Standard body | NISO Z39.96 | Built on JATS (NISO-hosted) |
| Shared features | MathML, tables, references, figures, accessibility metadata | |
Why XML-first matters for STM
Whichever suite you use, the value of an XML-first workflow is single-sourcing: one structured file drives simultaneous outputs — print PDF, accessible EPUB and web HTML — without re-keying. That is how a publisher hits both a print deadline and a digital, WCAG-compliant EPUB from the same source. It also protects long-term reusability: structured content survives platform changes that would strand a page-layout-only file.
Choosing for your content
- Journals and article-based content → JATS.
- Books, reference works and monographs → BITS.
- Mixed programmes → a single vendor fluent in both keeps tagging, math and accessibility consistent across your list.
“BITS being built on JATS is the whole point — get your journal XML discipline right and books become an extension, not a separate craft. The equations, tables and accessibility rules carry straight over.”Prashanth Krishna, Practice Head — Content Transformation & Regulatory Operations, B2K
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Start a project →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between JATS and BITS?
JATS (Journal Article Tag Suite, NISO Z39.96) is the XML standard for journal articles. BITS (Book Interchange Tag Suite) extends JATS to model books and monographs, adding chapter, part and book-level structure. BITS reuses JATS elements, so the two are compatible.
Is BITS based on JATS?
Yes. BITS is built on the JATS model and shares its elements for math (MathML), tables, figures and references. It adds the hierarchical structure that books require, such as parts and chapters.
Can one XML source produce print and EPUB?
Yes. An XML-first (JATS or BITS) workflow single-sources the content, so one structured file can drive a print-ready PDF, an accessible EPUB and web HTML simultaneously without re-keying.
Which should a book publisher use, JATS or BITS?
Book and monograph publishers should use BITS, because it adds the book-level hierarchy JATS lacks while remaining JATS-compatible. Journal publishers use JATS. Publishers with both should use a vendor fluent in each to keep tagging consistent.