What are the requirements for claim numbering in patent applications?

What are the requirements for claim numbering in patent applications?

According to MPEP 608.01(m), claims in patent applications must be numbered consecutively in Arabic numerals. The MPEP states:

‘The claim or claims must commence on a separate physical sheet or electronic page and should appear after the detailed description of the invention. Any sheet including a claim or portion of a claim may not contain any other parts of the application or other material. Though a claim may be presented on a separate sheet, such is not required.’

Additionally:

• Claims should be arranged in order of scope, with the broadest claim presented first.
• Claim numbers should be placed to the left of the claim text.
• When claims are canceled, the remaining claims should not be renumbered.

To learn more:

• claim numbering
• patent application
• MPEP 608.01(m)

To learn more:

• MPEP 608.01(m)