What are the requirements for an abstract 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.

According to 37 CFR 1.72(b), the requirements for an abstract in a patent application are:

• It must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims.
• It should be under the heading ‘Abstract’ or ‘Abstract of the Disclosure’.
• The sheet presenting the abstract should not include other parts of the application.
• It should be concise, preferably not exceeding 150 words in length.
• It should enable quick determination of the nature and gist of the technical disclosure.

The USPTO states: The abstract must be as concise as the disclosure permits, preferably not exceeding 150 words in length. The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure.