Free Patent Cost Calculator
Plan your intellectual property budget with confidence. This patent cost calculator estimates USPTO filing fees, attorney costs, and maintenance fees for provisional, non-provisional, and PCT patent applications.
Patent Cost Calculator
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About the Patent Cost Calculator
A patent cost calculator estimates the total cost of obtaining and maintaining a patent in the United States. It includes USPTO filing fees, patent attorney fees, patent search costs, drawing fees, and maintenance fees over the patent's 20-year life.
Quick Start Guide
- Enter your values — Fill in the fields with numbers relevant to your patent cost calculation. Most fields include sensible defaults.
- Adjust settings — Change options like units, rates, or timeframes to match your specific scenario.
- Review results — The output shows a clear breakdown so you understand how the total was calculated.
How It Works
Itemizes all cost components: prior art search, patent drawings, patent application preparation, USPTO filing fees (by entity size: micro, small, large), examination fees, and maintenance fees due at 3.5, 7.5, and 11.5 years.
Real-World Example
Scenario: Filing a utility patent as a small entity (individual inventor)
- Patent search: $1,000 (professional search).
- Application preparation: $8,000-15,000 (attorney fees).
- USPTO fees: ~$1,000 total (filing, search, examination).
- Maintenance fees (20 years): ~$3,900 total (due at 3.5, 7.5, 11.5 years).
Who Is This For?
This patent cost calculator is designed for Individuals researching legal costs, estimating settlement values, and understanding the financial aspects of legal situations.. It's intentionally simple — no complex signup forms, no data tracking, no distractions. Just enter your numbers and get the answer.
Pro Tip
These estimates provide useful context, but always consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.
Things to Know
The patent cost calculator provides instant, accurate results based on standard formulas and the values you enter. Whether you are planning a financial decision, tracking a health metric, or solving a practical problem, this tool gives you the numbers you need without requiring signup or account creation.
How to get the best results: Use accurate, up-to-date inputs for the most reliable calculations. When planning ahead, run multiple scenarios with different assumptions to understand the range of possible outcomes.
Note: This tool is designed for educational and planning purposes. For critical financial, medical, or legal decisions, always verify the results with a qualified professional who can evaluate your specific circumstances.
Sources & References
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Frequently Asked Questions
Should I file a provisional or non-provisional patent application?
A provisional patent application (PPA) is often the best first step. It costs less ($65-$260 USPTO fee depending on entity size) and establishes an early filing date. You get 12 months to refine your invention and file the full non-provisional application. This gives you "Patent Pending" status quickly and affordably.
How accurate are the results?
Results are based on standard formulas and the values you enter. They are accurate for educational and planning purposes.
Is this tool really free?
Yes, completely free. No signup, no hidden charges, no usage limits. Use it as often as you need.
Can I share the results?
Yes. You can take a screenshot or share the page link with anyone. The tool works the same for everyone.
How to Use the Patent Cost Calculator
Start by selecting the type of patent you want to file. A provisional patent application is cheaper and gives you 12 months to file a non-provisional application. Non-provisional utility patents are the standard patent with full examination. PCT applications are international filings under the Patent Cooperation Treaty.
Choose your filing method —filing pro se (yourself) saves on attorney fees but requires careful preparation. If using an attorney, enter their hourly rate and estimated hours. Attorneys typically spend 20-60 hours on a non-provisional application depending on complexity.
Select your entity size to apply the correct USPTO fee reductions. Micro entities receive a 60% discount, small entities get a 50% discount, and large entities pay full fees.