How to Add the Registered Trademark Symbol in Microsoft Word

The registered trademark symbol (®) is one of those characters that looks simple but trips people up the first time they need it. It doesn't live on any standard keyboard key, so you need to know where to look — and Word gives you several ways to get there.

What the Registered Trademark Symbol Actually Is

The ® symbol indicates that a trademark has been officially registered with a government authority, such as the USPTO in the United States. It's distinct from the ™ symbol (unregistered trademark) and the ℠ symbol (service mark). Using the correct one matters legally and professionally, so it's worth knowing exactly what you're inserting before you insert it.

Its Unicode value is U+00AE, and its HTML entity is ®. Word works with this character natively — you don't need plugins or workarounds.

Method 1: Let Word's AutoCorrect Do It Automatically

This is the fastest method for most users and it's already active by default in Word.

Type (r) — just those three characters — and Word's AutoCorrect feature will instantly convert it to ®.

This works because Word ships with a built-in AutoCorrect entry that maps (r) to the registered trademark symbol. The same system converts (c) to © and (tm) to ™.

What to watch for: AutoCorrect only triggers after you type the closing parenthesis and then a space or punctuation. If you're at the end of a line or paste text around it, the conversion may not fire. You can also undo the AutoCorrect immediately with Ctrl+Z if it fires when you didn't want it.

Method 2: Keyboard Shortcut

Word has a dedicated shortcut for this symbol:

Alt+Ctrl+R (Windows)

Press all three keys simultaneously. The ® character appears at your cursor position, no menu required.

This shortcut is built into Word and works independently of AutoCorrect settings. It's reliable across most modern versions of Word on Windows, though it won't work in other applications outside the Office suite.

🖥️ On Mac, the system-level shortcut Option+R inserts ® in Word and most other macOS applications.

Method 3: Insert Symbol via the Ribbon

If shortcuts aren't your thing, Word's Insert menu gives you a visual path:

1. Click the Insert tab in the ribbon
2. Select Symbol (usually in the far-right section)
3. Click More Symbols…
4. In the dialog, set the font to (normal text) and the subset to Latin-1 Supplement
5. Locate ® — it appears near the top of the Latin-1 block
6. Click Insert, then Close

This method is slower but useful when you want to browse characters or confirm exactly what you're inserting. The dialog also shows the shortcut key assigned to any symbol, so it doubles as a reference tool.

Method 4: Copy and Paste

Sometimes the most direct path is just: ®

Copy that character and paste it into your Word document. This works reliably across all platforms, versions, and environments. If you're working in a document with specific font requirements, just make sure the pasted symbol inherits the correct formatting — Word usually handles this automatically, but it's worth checking in formal or branded documents.

Method 5: Alt Code (Windows Only)

On Windows with a full keyboard that includes a numeric keypad:

Hold Alt, type 0174 on the numpad, release Alt

This produces ®. This is a legacy Windows input method and works in Word as well as many other Windows applications. It requires Num Lock to be active and a dedicated numeric keypad — it won't work using the number row at the top of your keyboard.

Comparing Your Options

Formatting the Symbol Correctly

Once you've inserted ®, you may need to adjust its appearance. By default it inserts at full character size, which can look oversized next to brand names. A common professional convention is to format it as superscript:

• Select the ® character
• Press Ctrl+Shift+= to apply superscript formatting
• Or right-click → Font → check the Superscript box

Some style guides and brand guidelines specify exact sizing and positioning for trademark symbols. ✍️ If you're working on branded content, check those guidelines before settling on a format.

When AutoCorrect Gets in the Way

AutoCorrect is helpful until it isn't. If you're writing about keyboard shortcuts, code, or anything where (r) should stay as literal text, AutoCorrect will keep converting it. You can:

• Undo immediately with Ctrl+Z after it converts
• Disable the specific entry via File → Options → Proofing → AutoCorrect Options, then find and delete the (r) mapping
• Turn off AutoCorrect entirely if you're doing technical writing where automatic substitutions cause problems

Disabling it for one entry doesn't affect other AutoCorrect behaviors, so this is a precise adjustment rather than an all-or-nothing choice.

What Affects Which Method Works Best

The right method depends on factors specific to your workflow. How often you insert the symbol matters — occasional users might prefer copy-paste, while frequent users benefit from memorizing the shortcut. Your keyboard setup determines whether the Alt+numpad method is even available. Your Word version and operating system affect which shortcuts are active by default. And if you share documents across teams or platforms, ensuring the symbol is properly encoded (rather than approximated with look-alike characters) becomes a consideration in itself. 🔍

Each of these variables shifts which approach is actually the most efficient for a given person working in a given environment.