The quickest way to type ®
The registered trademark symbol (®) is a single character you can type directly into most programs without hunting through menus. 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, type 00ae, then press Space or Enter.
If your keyboard does not have a numeric keypad — common on laptops — Windows offers an alternative: type the character code 00ae, then press Alt + X. This works in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and most text editors. The character will replace the code you typed.
On phones and tablets, the symbol usually lives in the secondary character menu. On iPhone, hold down the R key until a menu appears with ®. On Android, the location varies by keyboard app, but tapping the symbols or punctuation key repeatedly usually reveals it.
Key Takeaways
- Windows users can type ® by holding Alt and pressing 0174 on the numeric keypad, or by typing 00ae and pressing Alt + X in most programs.
- Mac users press Option + R to produce the registered trademark symbol when ready.
- Linux users press Ctrl + Shift + U, type 00ae, then press Space to insert the character.
- On phones, hold the R key (iPhone) or navigate the symbols menu (Android) to find the registered trademark symbol.
- Once you know the shortcut for your device, the symbol types as fast as any other character.
Why designers use the registered trademark symbol
The ® symbol tells viewers that a brand name, logo, or phrase is officially registered with a trademark office — in the United States, that is the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). It carries legal weight: using it signals that the owner has filed formal registration and will defend the mark against unauthorized use.
Designers place it next to brand names on websites, in marketing materials, and on product packaging. It is smaller than the text it follows, usually positioned as a superscript (raised and smaller). A registered trademark symbol costs nothing to type and takes no space, but it communicates ownership clearly to anyone viewing the design.
The symbol is not required by law — you can use a brand without it — but omitting it when registration exists is a missed opportunity to reinforce legal protection. Competitors and the general public both see the symbol and understand that the mark is protected.
The difference between ®, ™, and ℠
The registered trademark symbol (®) means the mark is officially registered with a government trademark office. Use it only when registration is complete. The trademark symbol (™) can be used on any mark you claim as yours, whether registered or not — it costs nothing and requires no filing. The service mark symbol (℠) applies to services rather than products, and like ™, it requires no registration.
On a website, you might see ® next to a company's official brand name and ™ next to a newer product name the company is building recognition for but has not yet registered. Designers choose based on the legal status of each mark, not on preference or style.
To type ™ on Windows, use Alt + 0153. On Mac, press Option + 2. For ℠, Windows users press Alt + 0153 (the same code as ™ in some systems, so check your result), and Mac users press Option + Shift + 2. The registered symbol ® remains the most common in professional design work.
Typing the symbol in design software
In Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign, you can type the registered trademark symbol using the same keyboard shortcuts as your operating system — Alt + 0174 on Windows, Option + R on Mac. The symbol appears in your text exactly as it would in any other program.
If the shortcut does not work in your design software, open the character panel (usually under Type or Window menu) and search for "registered" or browse the Letterlike Symbols category. Click the symbol to insert it at your cursor. This method is slower than a keyboard shortcut but works when shortcuts fail.
Some designers copy the symbol from a reference document and paste it when needed, which avoids memorizing shortcuts but is slower for repeated use. Once you type it a few times using the keyboard method, the shortcut becomes automatic.
Typing the symbol in web browsers and online editors
In Google Docs, Gmail, and most web-based text editors, the Windows Alt code (Alt + 0174) and Mac shortcut (Option + R) work the same way they do on your desktop. Type the symbol directly into your document or email, and it will display correctly when you publish or send.
In WordPress and other content management systems, you can type the symbol directly into the editor, or you can use the HTML entity ® if you are editing raw code. The entity produces the same symbol and is useful when you want to may support the character displays correctly across all browsers and devices.
If you are building a website and want the symbol to appear in your code but are unsure whether your text editor will preserve it, the HTML entity method guarantees compatibility. Most modern browsers and editors handle the symbol without issue, but the entity is a safe fallback.
Copying and pasting the symbol
The simplest method if you do not want to memorize a shortcut is to type the symbol once, copy it, and paste it wherever you need it. Open a text editor, type the symbol using your keyboard shortcut, select it, and press Ctrl + C (Windows) or Command + C (Mac) to copy. Then paste it with Ctrl + V or Command + V whenever you need it in your design work.
Many designers keep a text file or a note in their phone with frequently used symbols — ®, ™, ℠, and others — so they can copy and paste without looking up the shortcut. This method is reliable and requires no memorization, though it is slightly slower than typing the shortcut directly.
If you use the same symbol repeatedly in a single document, your design software may offer an autocorrect or text substitution feature. In Microsoft Word, you can set up a shortcut like typing "(r)" to automatically replace it with ®. Check your software's preferences under Autocorrect or Text Replacement to set this up.
Troubleshooting when the symbol will not type
If Alt + 0174 does not work on Windows, check that you are using the numeric keypad on the right side of your keyboard, not the number row at the top. Laptop keyboards often require you to hold Fn (Function) while pressing the number keys to set up the numeric keypad. Look for keys labeled with small numbers in the corner — usually on the right side of the keyboard.
If the shortcut still does not work, your keyboard layout may be set to a non-English language. Check your system language settings and switch to English (US) or your primary language. Some keyboard layouts use different codes for the same symbol.
On Mac, if Option + R produces a different character, your keyboard layout may be set incorrectly. Go to System Preferences > Keyboard > Input Sources and confirm you are using the correct language layout. If you are using a non-standard keyboard, the shortcut may differ — check your keyboard's documentation or use the character menu instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the registered trademark symbol if my trademark is not registered?
No. The ® symbol legally indicates that your mark is registered with a government trademark office. Using it without registration is misleading and can result in legal consequences. Use ™ instead for unregistered marks you claim as your own.
Does the registered trademark symbol need to be superscript?
It is standard practice to make it smaller and raise it slightly above the baseline of the text, but it is not required. Many websites and designs display it at the same size as regular text. The superscript style is more polished and is common in professional design, but either approach is acceptable.
What if my keyboard does not have a numeric keypad?
On Windows laptops, use the Alt + X method instead: type 00ae, then press Alt + X to convert it to ®. On Mac, Option + R works on all keyboards. On phones, hold the R key (iPhone) or use the symbols menu (Android).
Will the registered trademark symbol display correctly on all websites?
Yes. The ® symbol is a standard Unicode character supported by all modern browsers and devices. Whether you type it directly or use the HTML entity ®, it will display the same way everywhere.
How do I type the symbol on a Chromebook?
On Chromebook, press Ctrl + Shift + U, type 00ae, then press Space or Enter. This is the same Linux shortcut that works on any Chromebook. Alternatively, you can copy and paste the symbol from any online source.