Free Tool · Cost Estimate
What does a patent really cost?
The full cost of a U.S. utility patentutility patentThe most common type of patent — covers functional inventions. 20-year term from filing.Read more → — USPTO filing, search, examination, issue, and all three maintenance feesmaintenance feesPeriodic fees the USPTO charges to keep a granted utility patent in force (3.5, 7.5, 11.5 years post-grant). Miss one and the patent expires early.Read more → — scaled by entity size, plus optional attorney fees. Most cost guides only show the filing fee; this is the 20-year total.
Entity size
Attorney
Most applications get 1–2.
Estimated lifetime total
$23,592
$6,592 USPTO fees + $17,000 attorney · over the full 20-year term
USPTO fees use the published large-entity schedule scaled by entity size — small entities pay 40% (a 60% discount) and micro entities pay 20% (an 80% discount). Attorney figures are market midpoints and vary widely by complexity and firm. This is a planning estimate, not a quote. PatentBrief is not a law firm.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to get a patent?
It varies widely with the invention's complexity and whether you hire an attorney, and USPTO fees themselves depend on your entity size (large, small, or micro). The calculator on this page gives an itemized estimate across filing, examination, issue, and maintenance.
What are patent maintenance fees?
After a US utility patentutility patentThe most common type of patent — covers functional inventions. 20-year term from filing.Read more → is granted, the USPTO charges maintenance feesmaintenance feesPeriodic fees the USPTO charges to keep a granted utility patent in force (3.5, 7.5, 11.5 years post-grant). Miss one and the patent expires early.Read more → at 3.5, 7.5, and 11.5 years to keep it in force. Miss one (even after the six-month grace period) and the patent lapses into the public domainpublic domainThe status of an invention no longer protected by any IP rights — anyone can use it freely. Patents enter the public domain after expiration.Read more → early.
Are patent fees cheaper for small businesses?
Yes. Qualifying as a small entity cuts most USPTO fees substantially, and micro-entity status cuts them further still. Confirm your status before filing — it is the single biggest lever on the government portion of the cost.
Where this fits · The patent process
Keep going · Related guides