How Much Does a Patent Cost in 2026? Complete Breakdown

The cost of a patent depends on the type of application, the complexity of the invention and whether you work with a patent attorney. Here is how the budget usually breaks down.

Government fees

USPTO fees vary by entity size. Micro entities pay the lowest fees, small entities pay reduced fees, and large companies pay full price. Provisional filing fees are much lower than non-provisional fees.

Attorney and agent fees

Professional drafting of a non-provisional application is usually the largest expense. A well-prepared provisional draft can reduce the hours an attorney needs to spend later.

Patent drawings

Professional patent illustrators charge per sheet. SI-generated black-and-white drawings can cover early provisional needs at a fraction of the cost.

How to save money

Start with a provisional application, check micro entity eligibility, run a prior-art search first, and prepare a complete technical description yourself. GetQuickPatent plans start at $100.