What are the formatting requirements for claims in a patent application?

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.

The formatting requirements for claims in a patent application are specified in 37 CFR 1.75(h) and (i). Key requirements include:

• Claims must commence on a separate physical sheet or electronic page.
• Any sheet including a claim or portion of a claim may not contain any other parts of the application or other material.
• Where a claim sets forth multiple elements or steps, each element or step should be separated by a line indentation.

The MPEP states: “The claim or claims must commence on a separate physical sheet or electronic page. Any sheet including a claim or portion of a claim may not contain any other parts of the application or other material.” and “Where a claim sets forth a plurality of elements or steps, each element or step of the claim should be separated by a line indentation.”

These formatting requirements enhance readability and clarity of the claims. For more detailed information on claim formatting, refer to MPEP § 608.01(m).