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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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$0.00
Total First-Year Cost
Filing Fees$0
Attorney Cost Estimate$0
Total 5-Year Cost$0
Total 20-Year Cost$0

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.

Patent Cost Formula

Filing Fees = Base Filing Fee + Search Fee + Examination Fee
Attorney Cost = Hourly Rate × Estimated Hours
Total First Year = Filing Fees + Attorney Cost
Total 20-Year Cost = First Year + Maintenance Fees (3.5, 7.5, 11.5 yrs)

Frequently Asked Questions

A provisional patent application is a simpler, lower-cost filing that establishes an early filing date and gives you 12 months to file a non-provisional application. It is never examined and expires after 12 months. A non-provisional patent application undergoes full USPTO examination and can result in an issued patent.
Micro entity status requires you to have a gross income under $250,000 and have filed fewer than 4 non-provisional applications, or be employed by a nonprofit or university. Small entity includes independent inventors, small businesses (under 500 employees), and nonprofits. Large entities pay full fees with no discounts.
Maintenance fees for utility patents are due at 3.5 years, 7.5 years, and 11.5 years after the patent grant date. Failure to pay results in patent expiration. Fees increase significantly at each stage. Design and plant patents do not have maintenance fees.
Yes, you can file a patent application pro se (on your own behalf). The USPTO provides resources and the EFS-Web system for self-filing. However, patent prosecution is complex and technically demanding. Consulting a patent attorney or agent is strongly recommended for valuable inventions.