Required Specification Format for a US Patent Application 

  • The specification, including the abstract and claims, must be written in English and have lines that are 1.5 or double-spaced in a single column of text;
  • Written on only one side in portrait orientation;
  • 8.5 x 11 inches with all margins of at least ¾ inches except for a left side margin of at least 1 inch
  • Clearly typewritten in non-script font (e.g., Arial, Times New Roman, or Courier, preferably with a font size of 12), without shading, on white paper
  • The application pages must be numbered consecutively (centrally located above or below the text) starting with page one
  • Drawing figures should not be contained within the specification

SPECIFICATIONS SECTIONS

  • Title of the Invention (short and specific)
  • Most common applicable sections
  • Claims (on a separate sheet)
  • Abstract (less than 150 words, one paragraph, on separate sheet)