How long can a patent application title be?

The length of a patent application title is specified in MPEP 606:

“The title should be brief but technically accurate and descriptive and should contain fewer than 500 characters.”

This means that while your title should be comprehensive enough to accurately describe the invention, it must not exceed 499 characters, including spaces. It’s important to note that:

• The 500-character limit is a maximum, not a target.
• Shorter titles are often preferred as long as they remain descriptive and accurate.
• The title should balance brevity with technical accuracy and descriptiveness.

When crafting your title, aim for clarity and conciseness while staying within this character limit.

To learn more:

• patent application
• title length
• character limit
• title guidelines