The fastest way to add a trademark symbol

The trademark symbol (™) is a small superscript mark that sits to the upper right of a word or brand name. On Windows, hold Alt and press 0153 on the numeric keypad. On Mac, press Option + 2. On iPhone or iPad, hold down the regular letter keys until a menu appears with symbol options. On Android, open your keyboard settings, enable the symbols layer, and tap the ™ key directly.

If your keyboard doesn't have a numeric keypad or you're on a device without these shortcuts, you can copy and paste the symbol from anywhere you've already typed it, or search "trademark symbol" online and copy it from a results page. Most word processors also have an Insert menu where you can find special characters without memorizing keyboard codes.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users can type the trademark symbol by holding Alt and pressing 0153 on the numeric keypad.
  • Mac users press Option + 2 to insert the trademark symbol in any text field.
  • On phones and tablets, long-press letter keys or access the symbols keyboard to find the trademark symbol.
  • Word processors like Microsoft Word and Google Docs have Insert menus where you can search for and insert special characters without keyboard shortcuts.

Windows keyboard shortcut

The numeric keypad method works in most Windows applications. Make sure Num Lock is turned on — you'll see a light on your keyboard or an indicator on screen. Hold down the Alt key, then type 0153 on the numeric keypad (not the number row at the top of your keyboard). Release Alt and the trademark symbol appears.

If your keyboard doesn't have a numeric keypad — common on laptops — use the Insert menu in your word processor instead. In Microsoft Word, go to Insert > Symbol, search for "trademark", and click Insert. In Google Docs, go to Insert > Special Characters and type "trademark" in the search box.

Mac keyboard shortcut

On Mac, press Option + 2 to type the trademark symbol. This works in most text fields across macOS, including email, browsers, and word processors. The symbol appears immediately when you release the keys.

If that shortcut doesn't work in a specific application, open the Character Viewer instead. Press Control + Command + Space, search for "trademark", and double-click the symbol to insert it. You can also add the trademark symbol to your favorites in Character Viewer so it appears at the top of the list next time.

iPhone and iPad

On iPhone or iPad, the trademark symbol is usually hidden in the keyboard. Open any text field and long-press the letter "t" — a menu of related symbols should appear above your finger. Swipe through the options until you see ™ and tap it. If that doesn't work, try long-pressing other letters like "m" or "r".

If you can't find it by long-pressing, switch to the symbols keyboard by tapping the "123" key, then tap "#+=" to access more symbols. The trademark symbol may appear there. Once you've typed it once, you can copy it and paste it into other text fields, which is often faster than searching for it again.

Android phones and tablets

On Android, open your keyboard and tap the "?123" or ".?123" key to switch to the symbols layer. Look for the ™ symbol on this screen — it's usually visible without scrolling. Tap it to insert it into your text.

If you don't see it on the main symbols screen, swipe left or right to see additional symbol pages. Some Android keyboards also let you long-press the space bar to access a symbol menu. If your keyboard doesn't show the trademark symbol, you can search "trademark symbol" on Google, copy the result, and paste it wherever you need it.

Using copy and paste

The simplest method on any device is to copy the trademark symbol once and paste it whenever you need it. Type or search for the symbol anywhere — a web search, a note app, or this page — then long-press or right-click it and select Copy. Open the document where you need it and paste.

You can also create a text shortcut on your phone or computer so that typing a quick code automatically replaces it with the trademark symbol. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement and create a new shortcut (for example, type "tm" to get ™). On Android, open your keyboard settings and look for a Text Shortcuts or Quick Phrases option — the exact name varies by keyboard app.

Word processors and special character menus

Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Apple Pages, and most other word processors have a built-in menu for special characters. In Word, click Insert > Symbol and search for "trademark". In Google Docs, click Insert > Special Characters and type "trademark" in the search box. In Pages, click Insert > Special Characters and find the trademark symbol in the list.

These menus are useful if you forget the keyboard shortcut or use multiple devices. You can also browse through the special characters menu to discover other symbols you might need, like the registered trademark symbol (®) or the service mark symbol (℠). Once you insert a symbol this way, you can copy it for future use.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between ™, ®, and ℠?

™ is the trademark symbol and can be used by anyone for any brand or product without registration. ® is the registered trademark symbol and means the mark is officially registered with a government office like the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. ℠ is the service mark symbol for services rather than products. Use ™ unless you know the mark is officially registered.

Why doesn't Alt + 0153 work on my Windows laptop?

Laptops often don't have a numeric keypad. Instead, use the Insert menu in your word processor, or enable Num Lock and use the number keys on the right side of your keyboard if your laptop has them. You can also copy and paste the symbol from online, which works on any device.

Can I type the trademark symbol in text messages?

Yes. On iPhone, long-press the "t" key and select ™ from the menu. On Android, tap the symbols keyboard and find ™. You can also copy and paste it from a web search. Most messaging apps support the symbol without any issues.

Is there a keyboard shortcut for the registered trademark symbol ®?

On Windows, hold Alt and press 0174. On Mac, press Option + R. On phones, long-press letter keys or access the symbols keyboard. You can also search for "registered trademark" in your word processor's special characters menu.