How should I reference figures in the Brief Description of Drawings section?

This page is an FAQ based on guidance from the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. It is provided as guidance, with links to the ground truth sources. This is information only: it is not legal advice.

When referencing figures in the Brief Description of Drawings section of a patent application, you should:

• Refer to each figure by its number (e.g., Figure 1, Figure 2)
• Provide a brief explanation of what each figure represents

The MPEP 608.01(f) states:

The specification must contain or be amended to contain a brief description of the several views of the drawings.

For example:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the invented device.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the device shown in Figure 1.

Keep the descriptions concise and avoid detailed explanations, which belong in the Detailed Description section.