International PatentClassification (IPC)
An effective and easy-to-use system to classify
and search patent documents

What is the IPC?
The IPC system is a precise, effective and easy-to-use tool forclassifying and searching patent applications, specificationsof granted patents, utility models, and similar technicaldocuments.
It divides technology fields into eight sections (A-H) withapproximately 75,000 subdivisions, each represented by alanguage independent symbol consisting of Latin alphabet
characters and Arabic numerals.
The IPC consists of several hierarchical levels. Subgroup levelis indicated by a number of dots: a higher number of dots
represents a lower subgroup level.

2Who should use the IPC?
In addition to classification and examination experts in patentoffices, who use the IPC to classify patent applications andto search for the purpose of examination, anybody involved
in research and development, inventing or applying technicalsolutions can benefit from using the IPC to search patents orpatent-related information. Inventors, researchers, teachers,
students, lawyers, global companies, SMEs and start-ups willfind it indispensable.

Why use the IPC?
The IPC can be used to search almost 110 million patentdocuments worldwide. It enables the user to locate theright technology in many types of patent-related searches,or find an informative technology overview or a complete
and detailed list of patent documents relating to a specifictechnology represented by IPC symbols.

3The IPC appears:•in databases of patent or non-patent documents byproviding the principal criteria for technology search oras bibliographic data that can be used for a search orexamination;•on the front page of a patent document, including
published patent applications or utility models, indicating
the technical information it contains;•in search reports issued by search authorities, toindicate technology areas covered by patent searches orexamination;•in libraries or reading rooms as an information source
relating in particular to paper-based patent collections,e.g. linking document numbers and IPC symbols basedon common patent collections;•in the IPC Official Publication available from the IPC
pages on the WIPO website ipcpub.wipo.int;•in books, articles, magazines and websites related
to patent information, including inventions and technicalsolutions.

4How to use the IPC•

Browse the IPC scheme and see IPC definitions,catchwords and other information available in theIPC Official Publication web application.

•Search the IPC by using the smart search or advanced
term search options.

•Classify patent applications by using an artificial
intelligence (AI) based IPC categorization tool.

•See the frequency of IPC symbols in patent documents
by using IPC statistics.

•Use IPC symbols in patent databases to find patents,
patent applications or other patent-related information.

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The easy way to search adatabase using the IPC
Open the IPC Official Publication
1. Enter an IPC symbol, e.g. A47J 31/30, in the search fieldand click on the search icon
2. Click on the bridge icon
3. Click on the database name, e.g. PATENTSCOPE
4. See results in the database.
For more information, guides and training, see www.wipo.int/
classifications/ipc/en

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IPC: The unifying
system of patentclassification worldwide
The IPC is used to classify patent documents in more than
100 countries. Authentic IPC versions are available in English
and French, with translations in many other languages
including Chinese, German, Japanese, Korean, Polish,
Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.
IPC is the unifying system of patent classification worldwide.
Other patent classifications built upon the IPC provide moregranular and advanced classification, ensuring the maximum
coherence for patent classification internationally.
The IPC was established by the Strasbourg Agreement. Its
members constitute the IPC Union, with its principle bodies
being the Assembly and the Committee of Experts (IPC/CE) andits subsidiary body the IPC Revision Working Group (IPC/WG).
The Working Group is responsible for revision of the IPC.
Participation in its meetings is open to all members andobservers of the IPC Union.

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WIPO Reference RN2022-7E