The registered trademark symbol (®) is typed differently depending on your device and keyboard

The registered trademark symbol does not live on your keyboard as a single key. On Windows, hold Alt and type 0174 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt. On Mac, press Option + R. On Linux, press Ctrl + Shift + U, then type 00ae and press Enter. On any device with a web browser, you can type the HTML code ® in your document source, which displays as ®.

If you are working in a design tool like Figma, Adobe InDesign, or Illustrator, the fastest route is usually the Insert menu — look for Special Characters or Glyphs, search for "registered", and click to place it. Most modern word processors (Microsoft Word, Google Docs) have the same menu option. If you use the symbol often, you can set up a keyboard shortcut or text replacement so that typing a short code (like :reg:) automatically converts to ®.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users hold Alt and type 0174 on the numeric keypad; Mac users press Option + R.
  • In design and word processing software, use the Insert menu and search for Special Characters or Glyphs to find and place the symbol.
  • The HTML entity code ® produces the registered trademark symbol in web documents and email.
  • Setting up a text replacement shortcut saves time if you type the symbol regularly in your work.

Windows keyboard shortcut with Alt codes

On Windows, the numeric keypad method works in almost any process. Make sure Num Lock is on — you will see a light on your keyboard indicating this. Hold down the Alt key, type 0174 on the numeric keypad (not the number row at the top), then release Alt. The registered trademark symbol appears where your cursor was.

This method works in email, word processors, design tools, web forms, and most text fields. The only exception is some older software or web applications that do not support Alt codes. If the numeric keypad method does not work, try the Insert menu in your process instead. Laptops without a dedicated numeric keypad can enable a virtual one — on most laptops, hold Fn and use the keys marked with numbers (usually on the right side of the keyboard) as your numeric pad.

Mac keyboard shortcut

On Mac, press and hold the Option key (also labeled Alt), then press R. Release both keys. The registered trademark symbol appears when ready. This works in any Mac process — Mail, Pages, Google Docs, Figma, or any text field in a web browser.

If you find yourself typing the registered trademark symbol often, you can create a custom keyboard shortcut in System Preferences. Go to Keyboard, then Text, and add a new entry where the shortcut (like reg) automatically expands to ®. This is faster than the Option + R method if you use the symbol multiple times per day.

Linux and web-based methods

On Linux, press Ctrl + Shift + U, type 00ae (the Unicode code point for the registered trademark symbol), then press Enter or Space. The symbol appears in place of the code. This works in most Linux text editors and applications that support Unicode input.

In any web browser or web-based process (Google Docs, Figma, Canva), you can type the HTML entity ® directly into your document source code, and it will render as ®. If you are writing HTML for a website, this is the standard method. In plain text or rich text editors that do not interpret HTML, use your operating system's keyboard shortcut instead.

Using the Insert menu in design and office software

In Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Figma, Microsoft Word, and Google Docs, the Insert menu contains a Special Characters, Glyphs, or Symbols option. Click Insert, then look for the option that opens a character picker. Search for registered or trademark, and the symbol appears in the results. Click it to place it at your cursor position.

This method is slower than a keyboard shortcut if you type the symbol often, but it is reliable across all devices and does not require memorizing a code. It also shows you related symbols — the trademark symbol (™) and service mark symbol (℠) appear nearby, which is useful if you need those instead.

Setting up text replacement for repeated use

If your work involves typing the registered trademark symbol regularly, set up a text replacement so a short code expands to the symbol automatically. On Mac, go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Text and create a new entry. On Windows, use the AutoCorrect feature in Microsoft Word or Google Docs — go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options, then add a new entry where your shortcut (like :reg:) replaces with ®.

In Google Docs, you can also use Tools > Preferences and enable "Use smart quotes" and other text replacements. In Figma and other design tools, check the Preferences or Settings menu for text replacement options. Once set up, typing your shortcut code automatically converts to the registered trademark symbol without any extra steps.

When to use the registered trademark symbol

The registered trademark symbol (®) indicates that a brand name, logo, or phrase is registered with a government trademark office — in the United States, that is the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). You can only use ® if the mark is actually registered. If a mark is not yet registered but you are claiming rights to it, use the unregistered trademark symbol (™) instead.

In design work, the registered trademark symbol usually appears as a small superscript character next to a brand name — for example, "Adobe® InDesign" or "Microsoft® Word". It is smaller than regular text and positioned slightly above the baseline. Most design tools handle this sizing automatically when you insert the symbol, but you can adjust the size and position manually if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between ® and ™?

The registered trademark symbol (®) means the mark is officially registered with a government trademark office. The unregistered trademark symbol (™) means you are claiming rights to the mark but it is not yet registered. Use ® only for marks that are actually registered; use ™ for everything else.

Why does my Alt code not work on my laptop?

Most laptops do not have a dedicated numeric keypad. Enable the virtual numeric keypad by holding Fn and using the keys marked with numbers (usually on the right side). If that does not work, use the Insert menu in your process to find the symbol instead.

Can I copy and paste the ® symbol instead of typing it?

Yes. You can copy the symbol from any document where it already exists and paste it wherever you need it. This is slower than a keyboard shortcut but works if you only need it occasionally.

Does the HTML code ® work in all applications?

The HTML entity code works in web browsers, email clients that support HTML formatting, and any process that interprets HTML. It does not work in plain text editors or applications that treat it as literal text. Use your operating system's keyboard shortcut in those cases.

How do I make the ® symbol smaller in my design?

In design tools like Figma and Adobe InDesign, select the symbol and reduce its font size — usually to 60 to 70 percent of the text size next to it. You can also raise it slightly above the baseline using the superscript or baseline shift option. Most design tools explore these adjustments automatically when you insert a trademark symbol.