How to Type the Trademark Symbol on Any Device

The fastest way to type ™ depends on what device you're using

The trademark symbol (™) is a small raised character that appears next to a brand name or product. On Windows, hold Alt and press 0153 on the numeric keypad. On Mac, press Option + 2. On iPhone or Android, open the keyboard, tap the numbers and symbols view, then hold down the letter or number keys until a menu appears with special characters — the trademark symbol usually shows up there. In a web browser or document editor like Google Docs, you can also type the words "(TM)" and many programs will auto-correct it to ™.

If your keyboard doesn't have a numeric keypad or you're on a laptop without a number row, there are other routes. The character map on Windows, the emoji keyboard on Mac, or copy-and-paste from any document that already has the symbol all work. The method you choose depends on how often you need it and what you're typing into.

Key Takeaways

Windows users hold Alt and type 0153 on the numeric keypad to produce ™.
Mac users press Option + 2 to type the trademark symbol.
On phones, access special characters through the keyboard's symbol view or hold down keys to see character options.
Many document editors auto-correct "(TM)" to ™, so typing the letters in parentheses is often the simplest method.
If your keyboard lacks a numeric keypad, copy-paste or use your device's character map tool instead.

Windows: Alt code method

The numeric keypad is the fastest route on Windows. Make sure Num Lock is on — you'll see a light on the keypad or a small indicator on your screen. Hold down the Alt key, then press 0, 1, 5, 3 in order on the numeric keypad (not the number row at the top of the keyboard). Release Alt and the ™ symbol appears.

This method works in most programs: Word, email, web browsers, text editors. The only catch is that some laptops don't have a dedicated numeric keypad. If yours doesn't, you can enable a virtual numeric keypad by holding Fn and using the number keys, but this varies by laptop model. Check your keyboard's manual or search "[your laptop model] numeric keypad" if you're unsure.

If the Alt code doesn't work, open the Character Map tool instead. Press Windows key + R, type "charmap" and press Enter. Search for "trademark" in the search box, click the symbol, then click Copy. Paste it wherever you need it. This method is slower but works on any Windows machine.

Mac: Option key method

On Mac, press and hold the Option key (also called Alt), then press the number 2. Release both keys and ™ appears. This works in any program — Word, Mail, web browsers, text editors, all of them.

If you forget the shortcut, open the emoji and symbols keyboard by pressing Control + Command + Space. A panel opens on the right side of your screen. Search for "trademark" in the search box at the top, then double-click the symbol to insert it into your document. This method is slower than the keyboard shortcut but works if you only need the symbol occasionally.

iPhone and Android: keyboard method

On iPhone, open any text field and tap the keyboard. Tap the 123 button to switch to numbers and symbols. Look for the ™ symbol — it's usually visible on this screen. If you don't see it, swipe left through the symbol pages until you find it, then tap it to insert it.

On Android, the process is similar but varies slightly by phone model and keyboard app. Open the text field, tap the numbers and symbols button (usually labeled "123" or "?123"), then look for the trademark symbol. If it's not visible, try holding down the letter T or other keys — many Android keyboards show a menu of related symbols when you hold a key down. The trademark symbol often appears in this menu.

If you can't find it this way, you can also type "(TM)" and many apps will auto-correct it to ™. This works in Gmail, text messages, and most social media apps.

Auto-correct in document editors

Google Docs, Microsoft Word, and many other document editors have built-in auto-correct that converts "(TM)" to ™ automatically as you type. Type the opening parenthesis, the letters T and M, then the closing parenthesis, and press space or Enter. The program replaces it with the symbol.

This method is often the simplest because you don't need to remember a keyboard shortcut or hunt through menus. It works on any device — Windows, Mac, phone, or web browser — as long as you're typing in a program that has auto-correct enabled. If it doesn't work, check your auto-correct settings to make sure the rule is turned on. In Word, go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options. In Google Docs, go to Tools > Preferences and check the "Use smart quotes" option.

Copy-paste from another source

If none of the above methods work, the simplest route is to copy the symbol from somewhere else and paste it. Open any document or web page that already has the ™ symbol, select it, copy it (Ctrl + C on Windows, Command + C on Mac), then paste it into your document (Ctrl + V or Command + V). You now have the symbol and can use it as many times as you need.

This method works on any device and in any program. It's slower than a keyboard shortcut if you need the symbol often, but it's reliable and requires no memorization. Many people keep a straightforward text file with commonly used symbols saved on their computer or phone for this reason.

Registered trademark (®) and service mark (℠) symbols

If you need the registered trademark symbol (®) instead, the Alt code on Windows is 0174. On Mac, press Option + R. For the service mark symbol (℠), the Windows Alt code is 8480, and on Mac there is no standard shortcut — use the character map or copy-paste instead.

All three symbols work the same way: they're small raised characters that appear next to a brand name. The trademark symbol (™) is used for unregistered marks, the registered symbol (®) for marks registered with a government office, and the service mark (℠) for services rather than products. Most people use whichever symbol their brand guidelines require, or they use "(TM)" in plain text when the actual symbol isn't available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn't the Alt code work on my Windows laptop?

Most laptops don't have a dedicated numeric keypad. Try holding Fn while pressing Alt + 0153 using the number keys at the top of the keyboard. If that doesn't work, use the Character Map tool instead: press Windows key + R, type "charmap", search for "trademark", and copy-paste the symbol.

Can I type the trademark symbol on a Chromebook?

Yes. Open any text field and press Ctrl + Shift + U, then type 2122 and press Space or Enter. The symbol appears. Alternatively, use the copy-paste method or type "(TM)" in Google Docs, which auto-corrects to ™.

Does the trademark symbol work in all programs?

The symbol itself works everywhere, but some programs display it differently or very small. Email, Word, Google Docs, and web browsers all show it clearly. Plain text editors and some older programs may display it as a box or question mark if they don't support the character encoding.

What's the difference between ™, ®, and ℠?

™ is for unregistered trademarks, ® is for marks registered with a government office like the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and ℠ is for services. Use whichever your brand guidelines require, or use plain text like "(TM)" if the symbol isn't available.

Is there a keyboard shortcut for the trademark symbol on Linux?

Linux doesn't have a universal shortcut like Windows or Mac. Use Ctrl + Shift + U followed by 2122 and Space in most programs, or use your system's character map tool. Copy-paste is also reliable across all Linux programs.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.