Use ™ for an unregistered trademark, ® only once a mark is officially registered, and ℠ for a service mark. Each is a real Unicode character, so it stays superscript and legible instead of collapsing into "(TM)". On Windows, ™ is Alt+0153 and ® is Alt+0174; in Word, typing (tm) or (r) autocorrects to the symbol.
01 Symbols at a glance
| Symbol | How to type | |
|---|---|---|
| Trade Mark Sign | U+2122 · Alt+0153 · ™ |
|
| Registered Sign | U+00AE · Alt+0174 · ® |
|
| Service Mark | U+2120 · Word: 2120 Alt+X · ℠ |
|
| Copyright Sign | U+00A9 · Alt+0169 · © |
|
| Sound Recording Copyright | U+2117 · Word: 2117 Alt+X · ℗ |
02 FAQ
When can I use ® versus ™?
Use ® only after a trademark is officially registered with your trademark office (e.g. the USPTO). Using ® on an unregistered mark can be unlawful. ™ can be used on any mark you claim, registered or not.
How do I type the ™ symbol?
On Windows hold Alt and type 0153 on the numeric keypad. In Word or Google Docs, type (tm) and it autocorrects to ™. Or copy it from the key above, it pastes as the real Trade Mark Sign (U+2122).
What is ℠ (service mark) for?
℠ marks a service rather than a product, for example a consultancy or repair service. It works like ™ but for services. Copy it above or in Word type 2120 then Alt+X.