How to Make a Trademark Symbol

To make a trademark symbol, copy and paste ™, or use a keyboard shortcut. On Windows, hold Alt and type 0153 on the numeric keypad; on a Mac using the US keyboard layout, press Option + 2. In Microsoft Word for Windows, press Ctrl + Alt + T.

You can insert the symbol into a document, product description, email, or design without creating a separate graphic. The best method depends on your device, keyboard layout, and app.

Copy and Paste a Trademark Symbol

If you need the symbol right now, copy the character below:

Trademark: ™

Registered trademark: ®

Service mark: ℠

Select the symbol, copy it, and paste it beside the relevant name or logo.

Use the actual symbol rather than an image when working with ordinary text. It is easier to edit, resize and reuse.

Which Trademark Symbol Should You Use?

Before inserting a symbol, make sure you are choosing the right one.

A pending application does not authorize use of ®.

Adding ™ or ℠ communicates a claim of rights. It does not register your mark or guarantee that the name qualifies for protection.

How to Make a Trademark Symbol on Windows

Use the Alt Code

To type ™ with a numeric keypad:

1. Click where you want the symbol.
2. Enable Num Lock if your keypad requires it.
3. Hold Alt.
4. Type 0153 on the numeric keypad.
5. Release Alt.

The trademark symbol should appear.

To type the registered symbol, use Alt + 0174 instead.

Use the numeric keypad, not the number row above the letters. Keep the leading zero in each code. App behavior and keyboard configuration can affect the result.

Use the Windows Symbol Panel

If your laptop does not have a numeric keypad:

1. Click inside the text field.
2. Press Windows key + period (.).
3. Open the Symbols section.
4. Browse for the symbol and select it.

You can also copy ™ from this guide and paste it. There is no need to buy a keyboard just to insert a character.

How to Make a Trademark Symbol on a Mac

On a US Mac keyboard layout, use:

Place the cursor where you want the character, then press the keys together.

These combinations can produce different characters on other keyboard layouts. If the result is wrong, use Character Viewer or copy and paste.

Use Character Viewer

1. Click where you want to insert the symbol.
2. Open Edit > Emoji & Symbols in an app that supports the menu.
3. Search for trade mark or trademark.
4. Select ™ and insert it.

Use the same approach to search for the registered sign or service mark. Keyboard Viewer can also show which characters your current layout produces when you hold Option.

How to Insert a Trademark Symbol in Microsoft Word

In Word for Windows, use these shortcuts:

These are Word shortcuts, rather than universal commands for every Windows app.

Use the Symbol Menu

You can also insert the character through the menu:

1. Open the Insert tab.
2. Choose Symbol.
3. Select the character, or open More Symbols.
4. Insert the symbol at your cursor.

Menu labels and available controls may differ between desktop, web and mobile versions.

If a shortcut is intercepted by your system or another app, use the menu or paste the character directly.

How to Add a Trademark Symbol in Google Docs

On a computer:

1. Open your document.
2. Place the cursor where the symbol belongs.
3. Choose Insert > Special characters.
4. Search for trade mark or trademark.
5. Click ™ to insert it.

You can also search for a registered sign or service mark.

Copy and paste is a useful alternative, especially when working in the mobile app.

How to Make a Trademark Symbol on iPhone or Android

The simplest approach on either platform is to copy ™, then paste it into the text field.

Some keyboards offer ™ and ® in their symbols or emoji panels. Their locations vary by keyboard, language and device, so there is no single button sequence that works everywhere.

Create an iPhone Text Replacement

If you use ™ often, create a typing shortcut:

1. Open Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement.
2. Tap +.
3. Paste ™ into the Phrase field.
4. Enter an uncommon shortcut, such as: tm.
5. Tap Save.

In supported text fields, typing the shortcut and accepting the replacement inserts the symbol.

Avoid using “tm” alone as your shortcut if you regularly type those letters for another reason. A distinctive trigger reduces unwanted replacements.

On Android, check whether your keyboard supports personal dictionary shortcuts or text replacements. Otherwise, keep the symbol in a note for quick copying.

How to Make a Trademark Symbol in HTML

For a webpage, you can use the character itself or an HTML character reference.

For example:

<span>Your Brand&trade;</span>

This displays:

Your Brand™

If you want superscript formatting for a registered symbol:

<span>Your Brand<sup>&reg;</sup></span>

Use ® only when the applicable registration permits it.

HTML references belong in an HTML or code editor. Pasting ™ into a plain-text field may display the code rather than the symbol.

Where Should the Trademark Symbol Go?

The symbol is commonly placed immediately to the right of the mark, often raised above the text as a superscript.

For example:

• Your Brand™
• Your Service℠
• Your Registered Brand®

These are formatting examples, not claims that any particular wording is protected.

US guidance allows the registration symbol around the mark; the upper-right position is common, rather than a universal placement requirement.

In a logo or product label, keep the symbol legible without letting it dominate the design. Check the final export at the size customers will actually see.

Why Is My Trademark Symbol Not Working?

Before publishing, check the symbol in the actual document, webpage or exported image.

A Quick Final Check

• Is the character ™, ℠ or ® the one you intended?
• Does it appear beside the correct mark?
• Is it readable at the final size?
• Does it survive copying or exporting?
• If you used ®, is the mark registered for the relevant goods or services?

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make a trademark symbol without a numeric keypad?

Copy and paste ™, or use your device’s character picker. On supported Windows versions, Windows key + period opens a panel with a Symbols section.

Can I use ™ before registering my trademark?

Yes. In the United States, you can use ™ for goods even without filing an application. The symbol communicates a claim of rights; it does not establish registration.

Can I use ® while my application is pending?

No. A pending federal application does not authorize the registration symbol. Use ® only after registration and for the goods or services it covers.

Is typing TM the same as inserting ™?

The actual ™ character gives you a compact, consistent symbol. Uppercase TM is also used as a trademark designation, but it appears as two ordinary letters unless you format it.

Do I need to make ™ superscript manually?

Usually not. Many fonts already display ™ as a small raised character. Check its appearance before adding more formatting, which could make it too small.

Does adding a trademark symbol protect my business name?

The symbol alone does not register your name or guarantee legal protection. Trademark rights depend on factors such as qualifying use, distinctiveness, and existing rights.

Key Takeaway

The quickest way to make a trademark symbol is to copy ™ and paste it. For regular use, choose a shortcut or character picker that fits your device.

Before publishing, check both the formatting and the meaning. Typing a symbol is easy; choosing the correct symbol depends on the mark’s status.