Patent Filing Cost Calculator
Filing a patent with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) involves multiple government fees paid at different stages of the process. This calculator estimates USPTO fees for utility, design, and provisional patent applications based on entity size. Fees shown are government fees only and do not include attorney or patent agent preparation costs. Always verify fees against the current USPTO fee schedule at uspto.gov, as fees change periodically.
Fees based on USPTO schedule effective January 2024. Verify at uspto.gov before filing.
USPTO fee structure
Fee = Large Entity Base Fee * Entity Multiplier
Micro entity multiplier: 0.20 (80% discount)
Small entity multiplier: 0.40 (60% discount)
Large entity multiplier: 1.00 (full fee)
Excess total claims: charged per claim over 20
Excess independent claims: charged per claim over 3
Large entity base fees for utility patents (2024): filing $1,600, search $660 (waived with RCE), examination $760, issue $1,200. Provisional: filing $1,600. Design: filing $760, search $660, examination $560, issue $560. These are the full large entity rates from 37 CFR 1.16 and 1.18.
Patent application process stages
- Filing: submit the application (specification, claims, drawings, oath or declaration) and pay the basic filing, search, and examination fees.
- Examination: a USPTO patent examiner reviews the claims for novelty, non-obviousness, and written description. Office actions may be issued requiring responses.
- Allowance: if the examiner allows the claims, an issue fee is due before the patent is granted.
- Maintenance: utility patents require fees at 3.5, 7.5, and 11.5 years after grant.
- A provisional application (lower cost) reserves a filing date for 12 months but must be followed by a non-provisional application.
Patent filing cost calculator: frequently asked questions
What are USPTO patent filing fees?
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) charges fees at multiple stages: filing, search, examination, issue, and maintenance. Fee amounts depend on whether the applicant qualifies as a micro entity (75% discount), small entity (60% discount), or large entity (full fee). The USPTO publishes a complete fee schedule at uspto.gov.
What is a micro entity?
A micro entity is an applicant who qualifies under 37 CFR 1.29: the applicant's gross income does not exceed three times the median household income ($56,472 for 2024, making the threshold approximately $169,400), the applicant has not been named on more than four previously filed patent applications, and the applicant has not assigned or licensed rights to an entity that does not meet the income requirements.
What is a small entity?
A small entity is an independent inventor, a small business concern (fewer than 500 employees under SBA size standards), or a nonprofit organisation. Small entities pay 40% of the fees charged to large entities (i.e., a 60% discount). Qualifying requires filing a small entity assertion with the USPTO.
What fees are not included in this calculator?
This calculator covers USPTO government fees only. Attorney or patent agent fees for preparing and prosecuting a patent application are separate and can range from $5,000 to $15,000 or more for a utility patent. Additional fees may apply for excess claims, late responses, or appeal proceedings.
Are maintenance fees required?
Yes. Utility patents require maintenance fees paid 3.5, 7.5, and 11.5 years after grant to keep the patent in force for its full 20-year term from the filing date. Failure to pay maintenance fees causes the patent to expire early. Design and plant patents do not require maintenance fees.
Official sources
- USPTO Fee Schedule: USPTO Fee Schedule (current).
- 37 CFR 1.16 and 1.18 (patent fees): 37 CFR 1.16.
Reviewed by the CalculatorHub team, edited by James Graham, 14 June 2026. See our methodology.