Use this trademark symbol reference to copy ™, ®, or ℠ and insert it into a website, document, label, or brand design. The correct character depends on whether you claim an unregistered mark, identify a service mark, or have a federal registration.
Key Takeaways
- Copy and paste these characters: ™ for trademark, ® for registered trademark, and ℠ for service mark.
- The TM Unicode value is U+2122. The registered trademark and service mark values are U+00AE and U+2120.
- On Windows, use Alt+0153 for ™ and Alt+0174 for ® with a numeric keypad. On a Mac, use Option+2 and Option+R.
- You may use ™ or ℠ without federal registration, but the symbols do not create trademark rights by themselves.
- Use ® only after the USPTO registers the mark and only with the goods or services covered by that registration.
- Text characters usually work better than symbol images because users can search, copy, resize, and read them with compatible software.
Trademark Symbol Copy and Paste Codes
Copy the character you need directly from this line: Trademark: ™ Registered trademark: ® Service mark: ℠. Paste it immediately after the relevant word, phrase, or other mark. If the symbol's size or position changes after pasting, adjust the font, baseline, or superscript formatting in your application.
The following table standardizes the Unicode trademark symbol values and HTML codes. Unicode gives each character a consistent code point. An HTML entity lets you place the character in a web page's source code without pasting the character itself.
| Symbol | Name | Unicode | Decimal HTML | Named HTML | Federal Registration Required? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ™ | Trade mark sign | U+2122 | ™ | ™ | No |
| ® | Registered sign | U+00AE | ® | ® | Yes, for use as notice of a USPTO registration |
| ℠ | Service mark | U+2120 | ℠ | No commonly used named entity | No |
The trademark symbol and degree symbol are different characters. The degree symbol is °, with Unicode value U+00B0. It is not a substitute for ™ or ®, even though small characters can look similar in certain fonts. Copy the intended character rather than recreating it with a circle, letter, or image.
How to Type a Trademark Symbol on a Keyboard or Phone
The fastest method is often to copy and paste the character. Keyboard shortcuts are useful when you enter symbols regularly, but they vary by operating system, application, and keyboard layout.
Windows and Microsoft Office
- TM symbol: Hold Alt and enter 0153 on the numeric keypad to produce ™.
- Registered trademark: Hold Alt and enter 0174 on the numeric keypad to produce ®.
- Character Map: Search Windows for Character Map, select the character, copy it, and paste it into your document.
- Microsoft Office: Use the application's Insert and Symbol menu. Office may also convert (tm), (r), and (c) through AutoCorrect when that feature is enabled.
Alt codes generally require Num Lock and a separate numeric keypad. The number row above the letters may not work. If your laptop lacks a numeric keypad, use Character Map, the application's symbol menu, or copy and paste.
Mac
- TM symbol: Press Option+2 for ™.
- Registered trademark: Press Option+R for ®.
- Service mark: Open Character Viewer and search for "service mark" to insert ℠.
You can also open Character Viewer for any symbol if a shortcut conflicts with an application or keyboard layout.
iPhone, iPad, and Android
On an iPhone or iPad, copy ™, ®, or ℠ from the panel above and paste it where needed. For frequent use, open Settings, General, Keyboard, and Text Replacement. Create a shortcut such as "tmsymbol" that expands to ™. Android keyboards and menus vary, so copy and paste is the most consistent method. Some keyboards also let you save a symbol in a personal dictionary or text shortcut.
What Do TM, Registered Trademark, and SM Mean?
The three symbols communicate different status claims. They are not interchangeable, and inserting a character does not create registration or other legal rights.
TM Trademark Symbol
The ™ symbol tells readers that you claim a word, phrase, logo, or other source identifier as a trademark. It is commonly associated with goods, although businesses also use it for service-related marks. You do not need USPTO approval to use ™. Trademark rights may arise through actual use, not merely from adding the symbol. See the detailed explanation of what the TM symbol means when deciding how to describe an unregistered mark.
Registered Trademark Symbol
The ® character represents a registered trademark. In the United States, use it only after the USPTO has registered the mark. A pending application is not enough. The symbol should accompany the mark only when you use it for the goods or services identified by the registration. The distinction between an asserted trademark and a registration is explained further in trademark versus registered trademark rights.
SM Service Mark Symbol
The ℠ symbol identifies a claimed service mark that is not federally registered. A service mark distinguishes services rather than goods. You may use ℠ without filing an application, although many businesses use the more familiar ™ symbol instead. After the USPTO registers a service mark, the owner may use ® for the services covered by that registration.
The © character belongs to copyright law and protects a different category of intellectual property. Do not use it as a replacement for a trademark symbol.
How to Use Trademark Symbols in Branding and Documents
Place the symbol immediately after the mark, normally without a space. The upper-right corner is the most familiar position, but designers sometimes use the lower-right corner or place the character on the baseline. A symbol is often smaller than the mark and may appear in superscript so it remains visible without dominating the design.
You do not need to attach a symbol to every mention. Many businesses use it after the first prominent appearance on a webpage, package, advertisement, press release, or document. Repeating the character after every use may create clutter and make text harder to read. A trademark attribution statement can identify the owner at the bottom of a page or document.
Use the mark consistently as a brand identifier. Avoid changing its spelling, punctuation, capitalization, or design in ways that conflict with the registered version. When preparing formal materials, review guidance on citing a registered trademark and decide whether a symbol, attribution statement, or both fit the document.
Packaging, labels, websites, advertisements, event displays, and digital banners are common places for trademark notices. Before using ®, confirm both the mark's status and the goods or services covered. A registration for one category does not automatically authorize a registration claim for every product or service sold under the same wording.
If you are unsure whether a mark is registered, what the registration covers, or which symbol is appropriate in a particular market, you can post your legal need on UpCounsel's marketplace. A trademark attorney can review the registration record and intended uses, advise on placement and status claims, and help with registration or enforcement issues. Responses typically arrive within a day.
HTML Trademark Symbols, Fonts, and Rendering Problems
For an HTML trademark symbol, enter ™ or ™ in the page's source code. Use ® or ® for ® and ℠ for ℠. A browser interprets the entity and displays the corresponding character. If an editor converts source code into visible text, switch to the editor's HTML or code view before entering the entity.
Text characters usually work better than a trademark symbol PNG on websites and in ordinary documents. Text can remain sharp when resized, adapt to surrounding font sizes, appear in search results, and be copied by a reader. An image may be appropriate when the symbol is integrated into a fixed logo design, but it requires separate sizing and accessibility treatment.
If a Unicode trademark symbol appears as an empty box, question mark, or replacement character, check these issues:
- Font support: Change to a font that contains the chosen character. ℠ may have less consistent support than ™ or ®.
- Character encoding: Confirm that the website or file uses a modern Unicode-compatible encoding.
- Formatting: Remove superscript or inherited styles temporarily to determine whether the character is present but too small.
- Application conversion: Some programs replace unsupported characters or alter formatting when moving content between files.
- Export settings: Review whether the chosen font is embedded or preserved when creating a PDF.
Test the final document on the devices and browsers your audience uses. When consistent rendering matters more than a custom appearance, use the standard Unicode character rather than decorative superscript letters such as TM.
Legal Limits and Trademark Registration
Adding ™ or ℠ communicates a claim, but it does not register the mark or guarantee that you own enforceable rights. Your rights depend on factors such as actual use, distinctiveness, priority, geography, and the likelihood of confusion with another mark. Unregistered rights may also be narrower than the protections and legal presumptions associated with federal registration.
A federal registration can provide nationwide notice of the registrant's claim, a legal presumption of ownership, and the exclusive right to use the mark for the listed goods or services, subject to applicable legal limits. Registration also creates a business asset that may be licensed, assigned, or sold. If you want to pursue those benefits, review the process for a trademark search and registration before filing.
Using ® incorrectly can misrepresent a mark's status. Do not use it merely because you submitted an application, own a state registration, registered a domain name, or incorporated a business under the same name. Confirm the federal registration and its scope first. The USPTO's official trademark basics provide current guidance on trademarks and registration.
Trademark rights are territorial. A U.S. registration does not automatically create registration in another country, and symbol practices can differ between jurisdictions. Check the current rules in each market before distributing labels, packaging, advertising, or websites internationally. For a broader explanation of domestic protection, see U.S. registered trademarks.
Maintain accurate records of the mark, owner, registration status, covered goods or services, and approved artwork. A simple brand-use policy can help employees, agencies, distributors, and licensees apply the same symbol consistently and avoid unsupported registration claims.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Make a Trademark Symbol?
You can make a trademark symbol by copying ™ or inserting it through your device's character or symbol menu. If your software cannot display the character, type TM and format the letters as superscript. Copying the standard Unicode character is preferable because it remains a single searchable character.
How Do You Add a Registered Trademark Symbol?
Add a registered trademark symbol by copying ® and placing it directly after the registered mark. Before publishing it, verify that the registration remains active and that the particular use relates to covered goods or services. Technical access to the character does not establish or confirm federal registration.
How Do You Type the TM Symbol on an iPhone?
Type the TM symbol on an iPhone by pasting ™ from a saved note or creating a Text Replacement entry. A unique replacement phrase helps prevent accidental substitutions during ordinary writing. You can use the same approach for ® and ℠ if your work frequently requires all three characters.
How Do You Make a Trademark Symbol on a Mac?
Make the trademark symbol on a Mac by pressing Option+2. If that combination produces a different character because of your keyboard layout, open Character Viewer, search for the trade mark sign, and insert it. Character Viewer is also useful when an application overrides normal keyboard shortcuts.
How Do You Type a Degree Symbol?
The degree symbol is °, and you can copy and paste it from this sentence. It represents degrees rather than trademark status and should not replace ™ or ®. On mobile devices, your keyboard may display it by holding the zero key, although keyboard behavior can vary.
Can You Use the Registered Trademark Symbol While an Application Is Pending?
No, a pending federal application does not authorize use of the registered trademark symbol. You may use ™ or ℠ to communicate a trademark or service mark claim while the application is pending. Change to ® only after registration and only for uses within the registration's scope.
