The trademark symbol (™) goes after a brand name to show it is registered or claimed

The trademark symbol is a small raised "TM" that appears next to a brand name, product name, or slogan. It tells people that someone claims ownership of that name or phrase. You do not need permission from a government office to use it — you can put it next to anything you want to mark as yours. The registered trademark symbol (®) is different: it means the name is officially registered with a government trademark office, usually the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Most people use ™ for things they consider their own but have not formally registered.

Adding the symbol takes a few seconds once you know where to find it. The method changes depending on whether you are on Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android, or a web browser. None of them require special software.

Key Takeaways

  • The ™ symbol shows you claim ownership of a name; the ® symbol means it is officially registered with a government office.
  • On Windows, hold Alt and type 0153 on the numeric keypad, or copy-paste the symbol from Character Map.
  • On Mac, press Option + 2, then release and type the number 2 again.
  • On iPhone and Android, hold down the letter or symbol key until a menu appears with the trademark option.
  • In web browsers and Google Docs, you can search for "trademark symbol" and copy it directly into your document.

Windows: Alt code and Character Map

The fastest way on Windows is the Alt code. Hold down the Alt key on your keyboard, then type 0153 on the numeric keypad (the number pad on the right side of most keyboards). When you release Alt, the ™ symbol appears. This works in most programs: Word, email, text editors, web browsers.

If your keyboard does not have a numeric keypad, or if the Alt code does not work, use Character Map instead. Press the Windows key, type "Character Map," and open it. In the search box at the bottom, type "trademark." The ™ symbol appears in the results. Double-click it, then click Copy. Go back to your document and paste it with Ctrl + V.

For the registered trademark symbol (®), use Alt + 0174 instead. Both codes work the same way.

Mac: Option key shortcut

On Mac, press Option + 2. You will see nothing happen at first. Release both keys, then press 2 again. The ™ symbol appears. This works in most Mac programs including Mail, Pages, and web browsers.

If that does not work, open Spotlight by pressing Command + Space, type "Character Viewer," and open it. Search for "trademark" in the search box. When you find the ™ symbol, double-click it to insert it into your document. For the registered symbol (®), search for "registered" instead.

iPhone and iPad: Long-press the symbol key

On iPhone and iPad, open the keyboard and look for the symbol key — usually marked with "123" or a globe icon. Tap and hold it until a menu slides up showing extra symbols. Scroll through the options until you see ™ or ®, then tap it. The symbol inserts into your text.

If you cannot find it this way, tap the number key (123), then tap and hold the asterisk (*) key. A menu with more symbols appears. Look for ™ in that menu.

Android: Long-press or symbol keyboard

On Android, the method depends on which keyboard app you use. On most phones, tap the number key (usually marked "123" or "?123"), then tap and hold the asterisk (*) or plus (+) key. A menu with extra symbols appears. Scroll to find ™ or ® and tap it.

If that does not work, try tapping the symbol key (often marked with a smiley face or special characters icon), then scrolling through the available symbols. Different Android keyboards organize symbols differently, so you may need to explore a bit.

Web browsers and Google Docs: Copy and paste

In any web browser, go to Google and search for "trademark symbol." The symbol appears in the search results at the top. Click on it, and it copies to your clipboard. Go back to your document or email and paste it with Ctrl + V (Windows) or Command + V (Mac).

In Google Docs, you can also use the Insert menu. Click Insert, then Special Characters. A panel opens on the right side. Search for "trademark" and the symbol appears. Click it to insert it into your document. This method works the same way in Google Sheets and Google Slides.

When to use ™ versus ®

Use ™ for any name, phrase, or logo you want to claim as your own, whether or not you have registered it officially. You can use it when ready — there is no waiting period or approval process. Many small businesses and creators use ™ on their brand names, product names, and slogans.

Use ® only if you have actually registered the trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (or the equivalent office in another country). Using ® without registration is technically illegal in the United States, though enforcement is rare for small uses. If you are unsure whether something is registered, use ™ instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use the trademark symbol?

No. The symbol is optional. It serves as a notice to others that you claim ownership, but it does not give you any legal protection on its own. You have trademark rights to a name or phrase straightforward by using it in business, whether or not you display the symbol.

What if I cannot find the symbol on my keyboard?

Copy it from another source. Search "trademark symbol" in Google, copy the ™ from the results, and paste it into your document. You can also save it in a text file and copy from there whenever you need it. Once it is in your document, you can copy it again from there.

Can I use the registered symbol (®) if my trademark is not officially registered?

Technically no — U.S. law says you should only use ® for officially registered marks. Using it without registration can result in legal trouble, though it is rarely enforced for small or accidental uses. When in doubt, use ™ instead.

Does the symbol need to be the same size as the text?

No. The symbol is usually smaller and raised above the baseline of the text, but most programs handle this automatically. If you want to adjust the size, select the symbol and make it smaller using the font size menu. In most cases, leaving it as-is looks professional.