How to Cite a Patent in ACS (3rd Edition)

This guide explains how to format a patent citation in ACS (3rd Edition). Follow the format template below, refer to the real example, and use the step-by-step instructions to build your citation correctly.

Format Template

The general pattern for citing a patent in ACS (3rd Edition):

Template

Inventor, A. A. Title of Patent. Country Patent Number, **Year**.

In-Text Citation Example

How the citation appears within the body of your paper:

In-text citation

¹³ (superscript number)

Reference List Entry Example

The full citation as it appears in your reference list:

Reference list entry

Johnson, L. K. System and Method for Adaptive Neural Network Training. U.S. Patent 11,345,678, **2022**.

Step-by-Step Guide

1
List the inventor(s)
Use the ACS author format: Last, Initials. Separate multiple inventors with semicolons.
2
Write the patent title
Use headline-style capitalization. Do not italicize. End with a period.
3
Add the patent information
Write the country designation and 'Patent' followed by the patent number.
4
Include the year
Write the year the patent was issued in bold. End with a period.
5
Add URL if accessed online
If accessed via an online patent database, include the URL followed by the access date in parentheses.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Forgetting to bold the year.
Omitting the country designation before the patent number.
Using the filing date instead of the issue date.
Italicizing the patent title (patents are not italicized in ACS).
Not using the inventor name (using the assignee instead).

Frequently Asked Questions

Does ACS italicize patent titles?

No. Patent titles are not italicized in ACS style. They use headline-style capitalization in regular type.

Should I use the filing date or issue date?

Use the issue (grant) date as the primary year in the citation.

How do I cite a patent application in ACS?

Use a similar format but note it as a patent application: Inventor, A. A. Title. U.S. Patent Application 16/123,456, **2020**.

Information You Will Need

Before creating your citation, gather the following information from your patent:

Inventor
Title
Patent Number
Country
Filing Date
Issue Date

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Step-by-Step Guide

List the inventor(s)

Use the ACS author format: Last, Initials. Separate multiple inventors with semicolons.

Write the patent title

Use headline-style capitalization. Do not italicize. End with a period.

Add the patent information

Write the country designation and 'Patent' followed by the patent number.

Include the year

Write the year the patent was issued in bold. End with a period.

Add URL if accessed online

If accessed via an online patent database, include the URL followed by the access date in parentheses.