How do I cite a patent in Vancouver?

To cite a patent in Vancouver (ICMJE), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.

What is the Vancouver format for a patent citation?

The Vancouver format for a patent is: Inventor AA. Title of patent. Patent No. XXXXXXX. Place: Patent Office; Year.

What does the in-text citation look like for a patent in Vancouver?

In Vancouver, the in-text citation for the example above is (1)

How to Cite a Patent in Vancouver (ICMJE)

Learn how to cite a patent or intellectual property filing in Vancouver format (ICMJE). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.

Vancouver Reference List Format

Here is the standard Vancouver format for citing a patent in your reference list:

Inventor AA. Title of patent. Patent No. XXXXXXX. Place: Patent Office; Year.

Vancouver Example for a Patent

A complete Vancouver reference for a patent, formatted by the official Vancouver CSL style definition — the same engine that powers the generator on this site:

1. Lindqvist E. Automated bibliographic reference parser [Internet]. US 10,482,119 B2, 2019. Available from: https://patents.example.org/US10482119

Matching in-text citation: (1)

Vancouver In-Text Citation

Use one of these formats when referencing this source within your paper:

Parenthetical

(1)

Narrative

The patent (1) describes...

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 Vancouver (ICMJE) 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 Vancouver requirements.

Evidence and review notes

Worked examples are generated by citeproc from the published CSL definition, not written by a language model. Editorial guidance and sources in this section were reviewed on 2026-08-14.

CSL style record: vancouver.csl

Editorial sources

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite a patent in Vancouver?: To cite a patent in Vancouver (ICMJE), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.
What is the Vancouver format for a patent citation?: The Vancouver format for a patent is: Inventor AA. Title of patent. Patent No. XXXXXXX. Place: Patent Office; Year.
What does the in-text citation look like for a patent in Vancouver?: In Vancouver, the in-text citation for the example above is (1)