The quickest way depends on your device and what you're typing into

The registered trademark symbol (®) is a single character you can type directly into most programs — no special software needed. On Windows, hold Alt and press 0174 on the numeric keypad. On Mac, press Option + R. In web browsers and design tools, you can also copy the symbol from this page and paste it where you need it, or use your program's Insert menu to add special characters.

The method that works fastest for you depends on whether you're working in a design tool like Figma or Adobe XD, a document like Google Docs or Word, or directly in HTML code on a website. Each has a slightly different path, but all of them are faster than hunting through menus once you know the shortcut.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users can type the ® symbol by holding Alt and pressing 0174 on the numeric keypad, then releasing Alt.
  • Mac users press Option + R to type the ® symbol in almost any program.
  • In Google Docs, Word, and most design tools, you can use Insert > Special Characters to find and insert the symbol without memorizing a code.
  • For web design, you can type the HTML entity ® which displays as ® in the browser.
  • Copy-and-paste works in any program — you can copy the ® symbol from this page and paste it wherever you need it.

Windows keyboard shortcut

On Windows, the numeric keypad method is the fastest once you have it memorized. Hold down the Alt key, type 0174 on the numeric keypad (the number pad on the right side of your keyboard), then release Alt. The ® symbol appears when ready.

This works in Word, Google Docs, design tools, email, and most text fields. The numeric keypad is essential — typing 0174 on the regular number row above the letters will not work. If your laptop does not have a dedicated numeric keypad, you may need to enable Num Lock or use the Alt code method in a different way depending on your keyboard layout.

Mac keyboard shortcut

On Mac, press Option + R. This is simpler than the Windows method because you do not need to remember a number code. Hold Option (also called Alt on some Mac keyboards) and press the R key at the same time. Release both, and the ® symbol appears.

This shortcut works in Pages, Google Docs, design tools like Figma and Adobe XD, email, and most text fields. It is one of the fastest ways to type the symbol if you work on Mac regularly.

Using Insert > Special Characters in design and document tools

If you do not want to memorize a keyboard shortcut, most programs have a menu for inserting special characters. In Google Docs, click Insert > Special Characters, then type "registered" or "trademark" in the search box. The ® symbol appears in the results — click it to insert it at your cursor.

In Microsoft Word, go to Insert > Symbol, then search for "registered trademark" or scroll through the list. In Adobe XD and Figma, the process is similar: look for Insert > Special Characters or a similar menu option. This method is slower than a keyboard shortcut but works when you cannot remember the code and do not want to copy and paste.

HTML code for web design

If you are writing HTML code for a website, you can type the entity ® (without the backslash) and it will display as ® in the browser. This is useful when you are building a page in code rather than using a visual editor.

You can also type the Unicode character directly into HTML as ®, which produces the same result. Both methods are standard and work in all modern browsers. If you are using a visual editor like WordPress or Webflow, you usually do not need to type the code yourself — use the Insert menu instead.

Copy and paste from anywhere

The simplest method if you do not want to learn a shortcut: copy the ® symbol from this page or from any website that displays it, then paste it into your document, design tool, or code. Right-click the symbol, select Copy, then right-click where you want it and select Paste. On Mac, use Command + C to copy and Command + V to paste.

This works everywhere — in Word, Google Docs, Figma, email, HTML code, and any text field. It is slightly slower than a keyboard shortcut, but it requires no memorization and works on any device.

When to use the registered trademark symbol

The ® symbol indicates that a trademark is registered with a government office like the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Use it only for marks that are actually registered. If a mark is not yet registered, use the superscript TM (™) instead, which you can type on Windows with Alt + 0153 or on Mac with Option + 2.

In design work, the registered symbol is smaller than regular text and often sits as a superscript (raised slightly above the baseline). Most design tools handle this automatically, but you can also manually adjust the size and position if needed. Check your brand guidelines — some companies specify exactly how the symbol should appear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Alt + 0174 not work on my Windows laptop?

Your laptop may not have a dedicated numeric keypad. Try enabling Num Lock (usually a key labeled Num Lk or Fn + Num Lk), then use the number pad on the right side of your keyboard. If your laptop still has no numeric keypad, use the Insert > Special Characters menu instead, or copy and paste the symbol.

Can I type the registered symbol on my phone or tablet?

On iPhone, hold down the R key and select ® from the popup menu. On Android, open the keyboard settings, enable the symbol keyboard, and search for the registered symbol. Copy and paste is also fast on mobile — find the symbol on any website and paste it into your text field.

Is there a difference between ® and ™?

Yes. ® means the trademark is registered with a government office. ™ is an unregistered trademark symbol that anyone can use. Use ® only for marks that are actually registered. On Windows, type Alt + 0153 for ™; on Mac, press Option + 2.

Do I need to type the symbol every time the brand name appears?

No. Most style guides recommend using the symbol only the first time the brand name appears in a document or on a page. After that, you can write the name without the symbol. Check your company's brand guidelines for their specific rule.