The quickest way depends on what you're using
The registered trademark symbol (®) is a small circle with an R inside. On Windows, hold Alt and type 0174 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt. On Mac, press Option + R at the same time. On Linux, hold Ctrl + Shift + U, type 00ae, then press Space or Enter. On any device with a web browser, you can type ® into an HTML editor and it will display as ®.
If you don't have a numeric keypad — which is common on laptops — Windows offers an alternative: use the Character Map process (search for it in your Start menu), find the registered symbol, click it, then click Copy. Paste it wherever you need it. This method works even if your keyboard layout doesn't support the Alt code.
For design work in programs like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, or Figma, you can usually find the symbol through Insert > Special Characters or a similar menu. Figma's text tool also lets you search for "registered" and insert it directly.
Key Takeaways
- Windows: Alt + 0174 (numeric keypad only); Mac: Option + R; Linux: Ctrl + Shift + U, then 00ae.
- If your keyboard has no numeric keypad, use Windows Character Map to copy and paste the symbol instead.
- In web design, typing ® in HTML code displays as the registered symbol without needing keyboard shortcuts.
- Design software like Figma and Adobe programs have built-in character menus where you can search for and insert the symbol.
Why the registered symbol matters in design
The ® symbol tells viewers that a brand, name, or logo is officially registered with a trademark office — usually the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) if you're in the United States. Using it correctly matters because it signals legal protection and professionalism. A designer who places it correctly and consistently builds trust with the client and their audience.
The symbol is small and sits in the upper right corner of the trademarked word or logo. In print design, it's usually sized at 50 to 75 percent of the height of the text it follows. On websites, it often appears slightly raised (using superscript formatting) so it doesn't look like it's sitting on the baseline.
Where to place the registered symbol
The registered symbol goes when ready after the word, phrase, or logo that is trademarked — with no space between them. If a company name is "Acme Tools," the registered version reads "Acme Tools®". If the trademark is a logo, the symbol sits to the right of the logo mark itself.
You don't need to use the symbol every time the brand appears in a document. Most style guides say to use it on first mention and then drop it for the rest of the text. This keeps the page from looking cluttered while still establishing that the mark is registered.
In web design, the symbol should be part of the text itself, not a separate image. This ensures it scales with the text, remains accessible to screen readers, and doesn't break across lines awkwardly. If you're coding in HTML, ® is the standard way to insert it.
Common mistakes when typing the registered symbol
The most frequent error is using the wrong character. The letter "R" in parentheses — (R) — is not the same as ®. Some people type (R) as a workaround when they can't find the real symbol, but it looks unprofessional and doesn't convey the same legal meaning. The actual registered symbol is a single character.
Another mistake is placing the symbol in the wrong spot. It should be tight against the trademarked term, not floating separately. In design files, this means grouping the text and symbol together so they move as one unit and don't accidentally separate during layout changes.
Sizing is also straightforward to get wrong. If the symbol is too large, it dominates the text and looks clumsy. If it's too small, it becomes hard to see. In most cases, keeping it at 60 to 70 percent of the text height strikes the right balance.
Using the registered symbol in different design tools
Adobe Illustrator: Click Type > Glyphs to open the Glyphs panel. Search for "registered" or scroll to find it. Double-click to insert it at your cursor. You can also save it to your Favorites for quick access on future projects.
Adobe Photoshop: Use the Type tool to place your cursor where you want the symbol. Go to Type > Insert Special Character, search for "registered," and click Insert. The symbol appears at your cursor position.
Figma: In the text tool, type the symbol using your keyboard shortcut (Mac: Option + R, Windows: Alt + 0174), or use the text menu to search for special characters. Figma also lets you copy the symbol from any text layer and paste it into another.
Microsoft Word: Go to Insert > Symbol, then find the registered symbol in the list. Click it and select Insert. Word also remembers recently used symbols, so after the first time, you can access it faster through the same menu.
Keyboard shortcuts by operating system
| Operating System | Keyboard Shortcut | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | Alt + 0174 | Requires numeric keypad; use Character Map if unavailable |
| Mac | Option + R | Works on all Mac keyboards |
| Linux | Ctrl + Shift + U, then 00ae | Press Space or Enter after typing the code |
| HTML/Web | ® | Type directly into code; displays as ® in browser |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a difference between ® and ™?
Yes. ® means the trademark is registered with a government office like the USPTO. ™ means the owner is claiming the mark as a trademark but hasn't registered it yet. Use ® only if the trademark is actually registered; otherwise, use ™ or nothing at all.
Can I use (R) instead of the actual registered symbol?
Technically yes, but it looks unprofessional and doesn't carry the same legal weight. The actual ® symbol is the standard in design and publishing. If you're working on anything public-facing, use the real symbol.
Do I need to use the registered symbol every time a brand name appears?
No. Most style guides recommend using it on first mention only, then dropping it for the rest of the document. This keeps the text clean while still establishing that the mark is registered.
What if my keyboard doesn't have a numeric keypad?
On Windows, open Character Map (search in your Start menu), find the registered symbol, click it, then click Copy. Paste it wherever you need it. On Mac and Linux, the keyboard shortcuts work on all keyboards, including laptops.
How do I make the registered symbol smaller in design software?
Select the symbol and reduce its font size to 60 to 70 percent of the main text size. In some programs, you can also use superscript formatting to raise it slightly above the baseline, which is common in professional typography.