How Much Does Patent Filing Cost?
Updated for 2026 — national average costs with state-by-state breakdowns
What Does Patent Filing Include?
A patent protects your invention by giving you exclusive rights to make, use, and sell it for 20 years (utility patent) or 15 years (design patent). The process involves searching prior art, drafting claims, filing with the USPTO, and responding to examiner rejections.
The national average cost for patent filing is $12,000 per patent. Most homeowners pay between $5,000 and $20,000, though costs can vary significantly based on your location, the scope of work, and other factors outlined below.
What Affects the Price?
Patent Type
Provisional (placeholder): $1,500-$5,000. Design: $2,000-$5,000. Utility (simple): $7,000-$12,000. Utility (complex): $12,000-$25,000+
Attorney Fees
Patent agent: $3,000-$8,000. Small firm: $5,000-$15,000. Large firm: $10,000-$25,000+
USPTO Fees
Micro entity: $400-$1,000. Small entity: $800-$2,000. Large entity: $1,600-$4,000
Key Cost Factors
- ✓Patent type (utility vs design vs provisional)
- ✓Invention complexity
- ✓Attorney experience
- ✓Number of claims
- ✓USPTO examination
- ✓Prior art landscape
💡 Tips to Save Money
- 1.Start with a provisional patent ($1,500-$5,000) to establish your filing date while spending a year developing the full application
- 2.Micro entity status (income under $229,269) cuts USPTO fees by 80%. Small entity saves 60%
- 3.Design patents ($2,000-$5,000 total) are faster and cheaper than utility patents
- 4.Consider patent prosecution through a registered agent instead of a large law firm (save 30-50%)
📈 Patent Filing Cost Trends (2020–2024)
Prices have increased +17.7% over the last 5 years
| Year | National Avg | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $10,193 | — |
| 2021 | $10,621 | +4.2% |
| 2022 | $11,311 | +6.5% |
| 2023 | $11,628 | +2.8% |
| 2024 | $12,000 | +3.2% |
Based on national averages adjusted for annual inflation. Actual costs vary by location and project scope.
Patent Filing Cost by State
Costs vary significantly by state due to labor rates, cost of living, and local market conditions. Click any state for a detailed breakdown.
| State | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $4,100 | $9,840 | $16,400 |
| Alaska | $6,400 | $15,360 | $25,600 |
| Arizona | $4,750 | $11,400 | $19,000 |
| Arkansas | $4,000 | $9,600 | $16,000 |
| California | $6,750 | $16,200 | $27,000 |
| Colorado | $5,400 | $12,960 | $21,600 |
| Connecticut | $6,100 | $14,640 | $24,400 |
| Delaware | $5,250 | $12,600 | $21,000 |
| Florida | $4,900 | $11,760 | $19,600 |
| Georgia | $4,500 | $10,800 | $18,000 |
| Hawaii | $7,100 | $17,040 | $28,400 |
| Idaho | $4,600 | $11,040 | $18,400 |
| Illinois | $5,250 | $12,600 | $21,000 |
| Indiana | $4,400 | $10,560 | $17,600 |
| Iowa | $4,300 | $10,320 | $17,200 |
| Kansas | $4,250 | $10,200 | $17,000 |
| Kentucky | $4,200 | $10,080 | $16,800 |
| Louisiana | $4,350 | $10,440 | $17,400 |
| Maine | $5,100 | $12,240 | $20,400 |
| Maryland | $5,750 | $13,800 | $23,000 |
| Massachusetts | $6,500 | $15,600 | $26,000 |
| Michigan | $4,600 | $11,040 | $18,400 |
| Minnesota | $5,100 | $12,240 | $20,400 |
| Mississippi | $3,900 | $9,360 | $15,600 |
| Missouri | $4,350 | $10,440 | $17,400 |
| Montana | $4,750 | $11,400 | $19,000 |
| Nebraska | $4,400 | $10,560 | $17,600 |
| Nevada | $5,100 | $12,240 | $20,400 |
| New Hampshire | $5,600 | $13,440 | $22,400 |
| New Jersey | $6,250 | $15,000 | $25,000 |
| New Mexico | $4,500 | $10,800 | $18,000 |
| New York | $6,600 | $15,840 | $26,400 |
| North Carolina | $4,500 | $10,800 | $18,000 |
| North Dakota | $4,500 | $10,800 | $18,000 |
| Ohio | $4,500 | $10,800 | $18,000 |
| Oklahoma | $4,150 | $9,960 | $16,600 |
| Oregon | $5,500 | $13,200 | $22,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $5,100 | $12,240 | $20,400 |
| Rhode Island | $5,750 | $13,800 | $23,000 |
| South Carolina | $4,350 | $10,440 | $17,400 |
| South Dakota | $4,250 | $10,200 | $17,000 |
| Tennessee | $4,300 | $10,320 | $17,200 |
| Texas | $4,650 | $11,160 | $18,600 |
| Utah | $4,750 | $11,400 | $19,000 |
| Vermont | $5,400 | $12,960 | $21,600 |
| Virginia | $5,250 | $12,600 | $21,000 |
| Washington | $5,750 | $13,800 | $23,000 |
| West Virginia | $4,000 | $9,600 | $16,000 |
| Wisconsin | $4,700 | $11,280 | $18,800 |
| Wyoming | $4,600 | $11,040 | $18,400 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the patent process take?
Provisional patent: filed immediately (valid 12 months). Design patent: 12-24 months to issue. Utility patent: 18-36 months average (can take 5+ years). Expedited examination ($2,000-$4,000 extra) can reduce to 6-12 months.
Is a patent worth the cost?
It depends on the commercial potential. A patent is worth it if: your invention has significant market value, competitors could copy it, or you plan to license it. Many patents are never commercialized. Consider the total cost ($5,000-$20,000+) vs potential revenue.
🏙️ Patent Filing Cost by City
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