In this article, a compact coplanar waveguide fed fan-shaped monopole antenna for ultra-wideband applications with band-notched characteristic is presented. The antenna with fan-shaped structure occupies a small size of 35 x 30 mm2. An arc-shaped slot locating on the radiating element is used to create the 3.5 GHz band-notch characteristic. And, good radiation patterns and gains within the operating band have been observed. (C) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 55:6265, 2013; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.27224