How to Type and Insert the Registered Trademark Symbol

The registered symbol (®) appears on your keyboard through a keyboard shortcut, character map, or copy-paste — the method depends on whether you are using Windows, Mac, or a web browser

The registered trademark symbol (®) is not a separate key on your keyboard. Instead, you type it using a combination of keys, or you find it in your operating system's character tools and paste it where you need it. The fastest route depends on what device you are using and how often you need the symbol.

If you are designing a website or building graphics in a tool like Figma, Canva, or Adobe Creative Suite, you will insert the symbol the same way you would in any other document — through your operating system's built-in tools or through the design software's own character panel. The symbol itself is the same Unicode character no matter where it appears.

Key Takeaways

On Windows, hold Alt and type 0174 on the numeric keypad to insert ®.
On Mac, press Option + R to insert ® in any text field or design tool.
In web browsers and online tools, you can search for "registered symbol" and copy it directly from a search result or character reference site.
Most design software (Figma, Adobe XD, Illustrator) includes a character panel or glyph menu where you can search for and insert the symbol without leaving the tool.
If you use the symbol often, you can create a text shortcut or snippet in your operating system so that typing a short code (like "reg") expands to ®.

Windows keyboard shortcut for the registered symbol

On Windows, the registered symbol uses the Alt code method. Hold down the Alt key on your keyboard, 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 only works with the numeric keypad, not the number row at the top of your keyboard. If your laptop does not have a dedicated numeric keypad, you may need to enable Num Lock and use the number keys that double as letter keys, or use one of the other methods below instead.

If you use the registered symbol often, you can set up a text replacement shortcut in Windows. Go to Settings > Ease of Access > Keyboard, then turn on Sticky Keys or use a third-party tool like AutoHotkey to create a custom shortcut that types ® when you type something shorter, like "reg" or "(r)".

Mac keyboard shortcut for the registered symbol

On Mac, press Option + R to insert the registered symbol. This works in any text field, document, or design tool on your Mac — no numeric keypad required.

If you find yourself typing the symbol often, you can create a text replacement in System Preferences. Go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Text, then click the + button to add a new replacement. Type "reg" (or whatever shorthand you prefer) in the "Replace" field and ® in the "With" field. From then on, typing "reg" followed by a space will automatically expand to ®.

Finding the registered symbol in your operating system's character tools

Both Windows and Mac include built-in character or symbol pickers that let you search for and insert any Unicode character, including ®.

On Windows, open the Character Map process (search for "Character Map" in the Start menu). Type "registered" in the search box, select the ® symbol from the results, click Copy, then paste it where you need it. This method is slower than the Alt code but works if you forget the number or do not have a numeric keypad.

On Mac, open the Character Viewer by pressing Control + Command + Space (or go to Edit > Emoji & Symbols in most applications). Search for "registered" and double-click the ® symbol to insert it directly into your document or text field.

Inserting the registered symbol in design software

If you are working in Figma, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe XD, or Canva, you can use your operating system's keyboard shortcut (Option + R on Mac, Alt + 0174 on Windows) while your cursor is in a text field. The symbol will appear just as it would in any other process.

Alternatively, most design tools include a character panel or glyph menu. In Adobe Illustrator, go to Type > Glyphs to open the Glyphs panel, then search for "registered" and double-click the symbol to insert it. In Figma, you can paste the symbol directly into a text layer using your operating system's character picker or by copying it from elsewhere and pasting it in.

If you are designing in a web-based tool and the keyboard shortcut does not work, copy the symbol from a reference site (like Unicode.org or a straightforward Google search for "®") and paste it into your text layer. This works in any browser-based design tool.

Copying the registered symbol from the web

The simplest method if you are unsure about keyboard shortcuts is to search for "registered symbol" or "®" in Google, find it in the search results, and copy it directly. You can then paste it into your document, design file, or website code.

You can also visit Unicode reference sites like Unicode.org or Copy-Paste-Emoji.com, search for "registered", and copy the symbol from the results. This method works on any device and in any process that supports pasting text.

Adding the registered symbol to your website code

If you are writing HTML for a website, you can insert the registered symbol using an HTML entity. Type ® (without the quotes) in your HTML code, and the browser will display ® on the page. This is the standard way to include the symbol in web content.

Alternatively, you can use the Unicode code point: ®. Both methods produce the same result and are widely supported by all browsers and devices.

If you are using a content management system like WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace, you can usually type the symbol directly using your operating system's keyboard shortcut, or paste it from a reference site. The CMS will handle the encoding automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

® is the registered trademark symbol, used when a trademark is officially registered with a government office like the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. ™ is the unregistered trademark symbol, used for any brand or name you claim as your own. © is the copyright symbol, used for creative works like writing, music, or images. Each symbol has a different legal meaning and is used in different contexts.

Can I use the registered symbol if my trademark is not actually registered?

Legally, you should only use ® if your trademark is registered with the appropriate government office. Using ® on an unregistered mark can be considered misleading. If your trademark is not registered, use ™ instead, which has no legal requirement and straightforward indicates that you claim the mark as your own.

Does the registered symbol need to be a specific size or color in my design?

The symbol itself is just a character, so it will be whatever size and color your text is. Many designers make the ® smaller and raise it slightly above the baseline (called superscript) to match the style of the brand name. This is a design choice, not a legal requirement. You can format it however looks best in your design.

Will the registered symbol display correctly on all devices and browsers?

Yes. The ® symbol is a standard Unicode character supported by all modern browsers, devices, and operating systems. Whether you type it as a character, use an HTML entity (®), or use the Unicode code point (®), it will display correctly on phones, tablets, computers, and all web browsers.

What if I need to type the registered symbol in a tool that does not support keyboard shortcuts?

Copy the symbol from a web search or reference site and paste it into the tool. This works in almost any process, including online tools, mobile apps, and software that does not respond to keyboard shortcuts. If pasting does not work, try using your operating system's character picker or character map to insert it directly.

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.