How to Cite a Patent in APA (7th edition)
Learn how to cite a patent or intellectual property filing in APA format (7th edition). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.
APA Reference List Format
Here is the standard APA format for citing a patent in your reference list:
Inventor, A. A. (Year, Month Day). Title of patent (Patent No. US XXXXXXX). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
APA Example for a Patent
A complete APA reference for a patent, formatted by the official APA CSL style definition — the same engine that powers the generator on this site:
Lindqvist, E. (2019). Automated bibliographic reference parser (United States Patent and Trademark Office Patent No. US 10,482,119 B2). https://patents.example.org/US10482119
Matching in-text citation: (Lindqvist, 2019)
APA In-Text Citation
Use one of these formats when referencing this source within your paper:
Parenthetical
(Inventor, Year)
Narrative
Inventor (Year) patented...
Key APA Formatting Rules
- Include the inventor name, filing date, patent number, and issuing office.
- Use the [Patent] description bracket.
- Include the database or URL if accessed online.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your patent.
- Format the reference: Arrange the elements following the APA (7th edition) template shown above.
- Create the in-text citation: Add a parenthetical or narrative citation in your paper where you reference this source.
- Add to your reference list: Include the full formatted citation at the end of your paper.
- Double-check formatting: Verify italics, punctuation, capitalization, and hanging indents match APA requirements.
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