Provisional Patent Cost Calculator

Estimate the cost of preparing and filing a U.S. provisional patent application using our free Provisional Patent Cost Calculator. Simply fill out the form below to receive an estimated cost breakdown, including government filing fees, attorney fees, patent drawing costs, and other common expenses.

A provisional patent application is often the most affordable way to establish an early filing date while providing up to 12 months to further develop your invention before deciding whether to file a non-provisional (utility) patent application. However, the total cost of obtaining patent protection can vary significantly depending on factors such as the complexity of the invention, whether you prepare the application yourself or hire a patent attorney, and your USPTO entity status (large, small, or micro entity).

Use the calculator below to estimate your expected costs and better understand the investment involved in protecting your invention.

Provisional Patent Cost Calculator

This interactive calculator runs entirely in your browser. Enable JavaScript to use it. Default values shown below assume Small Entity status.

Select Entity Type

Are you filing the provisional application as a large entity, a small entity, or a micro entity?

○ Large Entity — USPTO filing fee: $325.00
● Small Entity (default) — USPTO filing fee: $130.00
○ Micro Entity — USPTO filing fee: $65.00

USPTO filing fees depend on your entity status. Most independent inventors and small businesses qualify as a Small Entity, which receives reduced USPTO fees. Micro Entities receive an even larger discount but must satisfy additional USPTO requirements, including certain income and prior patent application limits. Large Entities do not qualify for reduced fees.

Who typically qualifies?

Entity Status	Who Qualifies
Large Entity	Does not qualify for reduced USPTO fees. Generally includes companies with more than 500 employees.
Small Entity	Independent inventors, most startups, small businesses (generally fewer than 500 employees), and nonprofit organizations.
Micro Entity	Qualifies as a Small Entity, meets additional USPTO income requirements (as of 2026, income below ~$250,000), and meets prior patent application limits (or qualifies through higher education).

USPTO Micro Entity Requirements → USPTO Small & Micro Entity Information →

USPTO Provisional Application Filing Fee

This amount is automatically calculated based on your selected entity status using the current USPTO filing fee schedule. View USPTO Fee Schedule →

Large Entity: $325.00 | Small Entity: $130.00 | Micro Entity: $65.00

Application Length (Pages)

Enter the total number of pages in your provisional patent application, including the written description, claims, abstract, and drawings. Most provisional applications are well under the USPTO's 100-page threshold for additional page fees.

Additional fees apply for applications exceeding 100 pages: Large Entity $450.00 / Small Entity $180.00 / Micro Entity $90.00 per additional 50-page block (or portion thereof).

Estimated Patent Preparation Costs (Optional)

Select how you plan to prepare your provisional patent application. This estimate reflects the cost of drafting the application and does not include USPTO filing fees. Actual costs vary depending on the complexity of the invention and the fees charged by the selected patent attorney, law firm, or drafting service. Law firm and practitioner fees vary based on factors such as invention complexity, practitioner experience, firm size, geographic market, billing structure, and scope of services.

○ Do-It-Yourself (DIY) — $0
○ Idea2PatentAI AI Patent Drafting — $79
○ Small Law Firm — $10,000
○ Large Law Firm / AmLaw 100 Firm — $25,000
○ Custom Amount

Estimated Formal Drawing Costs (Optional)

If you are using a drawings draftsman or service to prepare formal drawings, there may be additional fees. Enter the number of drawings being filed with your provisional application (or being formalized) for an estimate of costs. Each drawing is estimated at $50.00.

Note: Because the USPTO does not require formal drawings for provisional patent applications, many applicants wait to formalize drawings until a non-provisional application is filed.

Estimated Provisional Patent Application Cost

USPTO Filing Fee$130.00

Application Size Fee$0.00

Total USPTO Fees$130.00

Patent Preparation Costs$0.00

Estimated Drawing Costs$0.00

Total Third-Party Costs$0.00

Estimated Total Cost $130.00

This estimate is for informational purposes only. Actual costs may vary based on your specific circumstances.

How We Calculated Your Estimate

This calculator estimates the typical cost of preparing and filing a U.S. provisional patent application based on the information you provide. The estimate combines several common cost categories that inventors may incur during the filing process:

USPTO Filing Fees — Government filing fees are calculated using the current USPTO provisional application filing fee schedule based on your selected entity status (large, small, or micro entity).
Patent Preparation Costs — Estimated costs for preparing the provisional patent application, whether you draft it yourself, use an AI patent drafting platform, or hire a patent attorney or law firm.
Patent Drawing Costs — Optional costs for preparing formal patent drawings. Although formal drawings are generally not required for provisional patent applications, many inventors choose to obtain them to improve the quality and completeness of their disclosure.

This calculator is intended to provide a reasonable estimate of the upfront costs associated with filing a provisional patent application. Actual costs may vary depending on the complexity of the invention, the patent professional or service selected, and your individual filing circumstances.

Frequently Asked Questions

What costs are included in this calculator?

The calculator estimates the most common upfront costs associated with filing a provisional patent application, including USPTO filing fees, patent preparation costs, and optional patent drawing costs. It does not estimate future costs associated with filing a non-provisional patent application, responding to USPTO Office Actions, or obtaining foreign patent protection.

Does this calculator include USPTO filing fees?

Yes. The calculator automatically includes the applicable USPTO provisional application filing fee based on the entity status you select.

What is the difference between a large, small, and micro entity?

The USPTO offers reduced filing fees for applicants who qualify as Small Entities or Micro Entities. Most independent inventors, startups, and small businesses qualify as at least a Small Entity. Micro Entities receive an even greater fee reduction but must satisfy additional USPTO eligibility requirements.

Are patent attorney fees included?

Only if you choose one of the attorney preparation options. If you select the DIY or AI-assisted drafting option, the estimate reflects those preparation costs instead.

Are formal patent drawings required?

Not usually. The USPTO generally permits informal drawings in provisional patent applications. Many applicants postpone obtaining formal patent drawings until they file a non-provisional application.

How accurate is this estimate?

The calculator is designed to provide a reasonable estimate based on typical filing scenarios. Actual costs may differ depending on factors such as the complexity of the invention, the drafting approach selected, patent practitioner rates, and other circumstances unique to your application.

Does this calculator estimate the total cost of obtaining a patent?

No. This calculator estimates only the costs associated with preparing and filing a provisional patent application. Obtaining an issued patent generally requires filing a later non-provisional patent application and may involve additional attorney fees, USPTO fees, and prosecution costs.

Related Resources

Continue learning about provisional patent applications with these additional guides from the Idea2PatentAI Learning Center:

Provisional Patent Cost: How Much Does It Cost to File a Provisional Patent? — A detailed breakdown of typical USPTO fees, attorney fees, and other expenses associated with provisional patent applications.
Ultimate Guide: Provisional Patent Applications (PPA) in the Age of AI — Learn everything you need to know about filing provisional patent applications in the AI era.
15 Benefits of Filing a Provisional Patent Application — Explore the business and legal advantages of securing an early filing date.
How to File a Provisional Patent Application on Your Own (DIY Guide) — A step-by-step guide for inventors preparing and filing a provisional application without an attorney.
Provisional Patent Application Example — See what a well-prepared provisional patent application looks like and learn what information should typically be included.
Provisional Patent Application Template: What to Use (and What to Avoid) — Learn how to structure a provisional patent application and avoid common template mistakes.
Comparison: AI Patent Drafting vs. Traditional Patent Attorney Services — Compare costs, turnaround times, and drafting approaches to determine which option best fits your needs.
Best AI Patent Drafting Tools (2026): Complete Guide & Comparison — Compare today's leading AI patent drafting platforms and understand how they differ for inventors and patent professionals.

Ready to Draft Your Provisional Patent Application?

Now that you have a better understanding of the costs involved, the next step is preparing a complete, high-quality provisional patent application. A well-prepared application can establish a strong priority date and provide a solid foundation for a future non-provisional patent application.

Idea2PatentAI helps inventors prepare comprehensive provisional patent applications using AI guided by patent attorney expertise. Simply answer a series of plain-English questions about your invention, and our platform generates a detailed provisional patent application that you can review, edit, and file with the USPTO.

Start Drafting Your Provisional Patent Application Today →

Disclaimer

This calculator is provided for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal, financial, or filing advice. The estimated costs are approximate and actual costs may vary depending on the specific circumstances of your application.

The estimates include only the cost categories selected or calculated by this tool. Additional USPTO fees may apply in certain situations (such as petition fees or other government charges). Additional third-party costs may also be incurred, including costs for formal patent drawings, translations, or other professional services. Other costs not reflected in this calculator may apply depending on the particular facts of your application.