The registered trademark symbol (®) is a character you type or insert, not something you draw

The registered trademark symbol appears as a small circle with an R inside it: ®. On most keyboards, you cannot type it directly the way you type a letter. Instead, you use a keyboard shortcut, a character map, or you copy it from somewhere else. Which method works depends on whether you are using Windows, Mac, or a web-based design tool.

Designers often need this symbol when working with brand names, logos, or product names on websites. It tells viewers that a name or mark is registered with a government trademark office — usually the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in the United States. Using the actual symbol is more professional than typing (R) or writing out the word "registered".

Key Takeaways

  • On Windows, hold Alt and type 0174 on the numeric keypad to insert ®.
  • On Mac, press Option + R to insert the registered trademark symbol.
  • In web design tools like Figma or Adobe XD, you can copy the symbol from a character map or paste it from another source.
  • In HTML code, you can write ® or ® and the browser will display ®.
  • The symbol should appear next to or slightly above the trademark name, with no space between them.

Windows keyboard shortcut

On a Windows computer, the fastest way is the Alt code. Hold down the Alt key, then type 0174 on the numeric keypad (the number pad on the right side of your keyboard). When you release Alt, the ® symbol appears.

This works in most programs — Microsoft Word, design software, web browsers, email clients. The numeric keypad is important: the numbers across the top of the keyboard will not work. If your laptop does not have a separate numeric keypad, you may need to enable Num Lock or use the character map instead.

Mac keyboard shortcut

On a Mac, press Option + R. That is the Option key (also labeled Alt on some keyboards) held down while you press R. The ® symbol appears when ready.

This works in any Mac process — Pages, Figma, web browsers, email. It is faster than the Windows method because you do not need to remember a four-digit code or locate a numeric keypad.

Using the character map (Windows) or character viewer (Mac)

If the keyboard shortcut does not work or you forget it, you can open a character map. On Windows, search for "Character Map" in the Start menu. On Mac, open Spotlight (Command + Space), type "Character Viewer", and press Enter.

In either tool, search for "registered" or scroll until you find ®. Click or double-click it to copy it to your clipboard, then paste it where you need it. This method is slower but works when shortcuts fail, and it also shows you other symbols you might need — like the trademark symbol (™) or copyright symbol (©).

Inserting the symbol in HTML and web design tools

If you are writing HTML code directly, you do not need to type the symbol at all. Instead, write ® or ® in your code. When a browser displays the page, it converts these codes into the ® symbol. This method is cleaner because the symbol stays consistent across different devices and fonts.

In web design tools like Figma, Adobe XD, or Webflow, you can usually paste the symbol directly into text fields using your keyboard shortcut or by copying it from elsewhere. Some tools also have a "Special Characters" or "Symbols" menu where you can search for and insert the symbol without leaving the process.

Placement and spacing

The registered trademark symbol should sit directly next to the name or mark it refers to, with no space between them. Write it as Company Name®, not Company Name ®. The symbol typically appears as a superscript (smaller and raised), though on the web it often appears at the baseline depending on the font and browser.

In design work, you may need to adjust the size or position of the symbol manually. Some fonts include a properly sized superscript version; others require you to scale it down and move it up by hand. Test how it looks on different screen sizes and devices before finalizing the design.

When to use the registered trademark symbol

Use ® only for marks that are actually registered with a trademark office. If a company has applied for registration but it is not yet approved, or if the mark is not registered at all, use the unregistered trademark symbol (™) instead. The ™ symbol does not require registration and can be used by anyone to indicate they claim a mark as theirs.

On a website, you typically see ® next to brand names, product names, or logos that the company owns and has registered. Using it incorrectly — for marks that are not registered — can create legal confusion, so check with the company or the trademark office before adding it to a design.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between ® and ™?

® means the mark is registered with a government trademark office. ™ means someone claims the mark as theirs but it is not officially registered. You can use ™ without permission or registration; ® should only be used for marks that have completed the registration process.

Can I use (R) instead of ®?

Technically yes, but it looks unprofessional on a website or in design work. The actual symbol ® is the standard. If you cannot type it, use ™ instead, or straightforward omit the symbol and let the context make clear that the name is a brand.

Does the registered symbol work the same way in all design tools?

The keyboard shortcuts (Alt + 0174 on Windows, Option + R on Mac) work in most tools. Web-based tools like Figma may require you to copy and paste the symbol instead. Check your tool's documentation if the shortcut does not work.

What if my keyboard does not have a numeric keypad?

Use the Character Map (Windows) or Character Viewer (Mac) to find and copy the symbol. Alternatively, if your laptop has Num Lock, enable it and try the Alt code again. Some laptops require you to hold Fn + Alt while typing the code.

Should the registered symbol be superscript?

It depends on the design and font. Many fonts include a built-in superscript version that looks right at the baseline. In design tools, you can manually scale and raise the symbol if needed. Test it on the actual website or device to see how it appears to users.