Type Registered Trademark Symbol (®) on Keyboard

The Registered Trademark symbol (®) is commonly used to show that a brand name, logo, product, or service has been officially registered as a trademark. Whether you are writing legal documents, creating business presentations, designing marketing materials, or simply mentioning a registered brand, knowing how to type the ® symbol can save time and improve the professionalism of your work.

Many people believe they need to copy and paste the symbol from the internet every time they need it. Fortunately, that’s not true. Both Windows and Mac offer several built-in methods to type the Registered Trademark symbol (®) directly from your keyboard. You can also insert it using character utilities, emoji panels, and office applications.

This guide explains 7 practical methods so you can choose the one that works best for your device and workflow.

Method 1: Type the Registered Trademark (®) Symbol Using the Alt Code on Windows

The Alt code is one of the fastest and most reliable methods for Windows users.

Step 1: Turn On Num Lock

Before using an Alt code, make sure your keyboard’s Num Lock is enabled. If you are using a full-size keyboard, locate the Num Lock key and press it once. You should see a light indicating that the numeric keypad is active.

If you are using a laptop without a dedicated numeric keypad, this method may not work unless your laptop has a built-in numeric keypad that can be activated with the Fn key.

Step 2: Place the Cursor Where You Want the Symbol

Open the document, email, browser, or text editor where you want to insert the Registered Trademark symbol. Click exactly where the symbol should appear.

Step 3: Hold the Alt Key and Type 0174

Press and hold the Alt key on your keyboard. While holding it, type 0174 using the numeric keypad on the right side of the keyboard. Once you finish typing the numbers, release the Alt key.

The ® symbol will immediately appear at the cursor location.

Method 2: Copy and Paste the Registered Trademark Symbol

If your keyboard does not support Alt codes or you only need the symbol occasionally, copying and pasting is the easiest solution.

Step 1: Copy the Symbol

Highlight this symbol ® using your mouse. Press Ctrl + C to copy it.

Step 2: Open Your Document

Navigate to the application where you want to insert the symbol. This could be Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Notepad, Outlook, or any other text editor.

Step 3: Paste the Symbol

Click where you want the symbol to appear and press Ctrl + V. The Registered Trademark symbol will be inserted instantly.

Method 3: Use the Character Map in Windows

The Character Map is a built-in Windows utility that lets you access hundreds of special characters.

Step 1: Open Character Map

Press the Windows key and type Character Map. Open the application from the search results.

Step 2: Find the Registered Trademark Symbol

Scroll through the available characters until you locate the Registered Trademark symbol (®). You can also select Advanced View and search for the word registered to locate it more quickly.

Step 3: Copy and Insert the Symbol

Select the symbol, click Select, and then click Copy. Return to your document and press Ctrl + V to paste the symbol.

Method 4: Insert the Registered Trademark Symbol in Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word includes a built-in Symbol menu that makes inserting special characters very easy.

Step 1: Open the Insert Tab

Launch Microsoft Word and open your document. Click the Insert tab located at the top of the window.

Step 2: Open the Symbol Menu

On the right side of the toolbar, click Symbol and then select More Symbols.

Step 3: Insert the Symbol

Locate the Registered Trademark symbol (®) in the list. Click the symbol and then select Insert. Close the dialog box when finished.

The symbol is now added to your document.

Method 5: Type the Registered Trademark Symbol on a Mac

Mac computers include a simple keyboard shortcut for the Registered Trademark symbol.

Step 1: Place the Cursor

Open the document or application where you want to insert the symbol. Click where it should appear.

Step 2: Press the Keyboard Shortcut

Press Option + R on your keyboard.

Step 3: Continue Typing

The ® symbol will immediately appear. You can continue typing your text without any additional steps.

Method 6: Use the Emoji and Symbols Viewer on Mac

Mac also includes a Character Viewer for inserting special symbols.

Step 1: Open the Character Viewer

Press Control + Command + Space to open the Character Viewer.

Step 2: Search for the Symbol

Type registered into the search box. The Registered Trademark symbol will appear in the results.

Step 3: Insert the Symbol

Double-click the symbol to insert it into your document.

Method 7: Insert the Registered Trademark Symbol Using the Windows Emoji Panel

Modern versions of Windows include an emoji and symbol panel.

Step 1: Open the Emoji Panel

Press Windows + Period (.) or Windows + Semicolon (;).

Step 2: Switch to the Symbols Section

Navigate to the Symbols category and browse the available characters.

Step 3: Select the Registered Trademark Symbol

Click the ® symbol to insert it wherever your cursor is positioned.

FAQs

What does the Registered Trademark symbol mean?

The Registered Trademark symbol (®) indicates that a trademark has been officially registered with the appropriate government trademark office. It provides legal protection for the registered brand or product.

What is the Alt code for the Registered Trademark symbol?

The Windows Alt code for the Registered Trademark symbol is Alt + 0174. This method works when using the numeric keypad.

Why is the Alt code not working?

The most common reason is that the numbers are being typed from the top row of the keyboard instead of the numeric keypad. Also, some laptops require enabling the embedded numeric keypad before Alt codes will work.

How do I type the Registered Trademark symbol on a Mac?

Simply press Option + R to insert the ® symbol.

Can I use the Registered Trademark symbol in Google Docs?

Yes. You can use keyboard shortcuts, copy and paste the symbol, or insert it through Google Docs’ Special Characters feature.

Is there a difference between ™ and ®?

Yes. The ™ symbol indicates that someone claims trademark rights, even if the trademark is not officially registered. The ® symbol can only be used for trademarks that have been legally registered.

Summary

Typing the Registered Trademark symbol (®) is much easier than many people expect. Whether you use the Alt code, Character Map, Microsoft Word, the Windows Emoji Panel, or the built-in Mac keyboard shortcut, each method lets you insert the symbol quickly without having to search online every time.

For Windows users, Alt + 0174 remains the fastest option when a numeric keypad is available. If that method is unavailable, the Character Map and Emoji Panel provide reliable alternatives. Mac users can simply press Option + R to access the symbol instantly.

Learning these methods can improve your productivity and help you create professional documents, emails, presentations, and web content whenever you need to reference a registered trademark.