Registered Trademark Symbol ® — How to Type It on Any Device

The registered trademark symbol (®) is an essential character for businesses, legal documents, and anyone working with branded content. This symbol indicates that a trademark has been officially registered with a government authority. Whether you're writing a business proposal, creating a website, or preparing legal documents, knowing how to type ® quickly is invaluable.

What Is the Registered Trademark Symbol?

The registered trademark symbol (®) consists of the letter "R" enclosed in a circle. It signifies that a word, phrase, logo, or design is legally registered as a trademark. Unlike the trademark symbol (™) which can be used by anyone claiming rights to a mark, the ® symbol should only be used for marks that have completed official registration with the appropriate trademark office.

® vs ™ — Key Differences

Copy and Paste

How to Type ® on Windows

Method 1: Alt Code (Numeric Keypad Required)

1. Ensure Num Lock is turned on
2. Press and hold the Alt key
3. Type 0174 on the numeric keypad
4. Release the Alt key—® appears

Method 2: Character Map

1. Open Character Map (search in Start menu)
2. Find the registered trademark symbol
3. Click Select, then Copy
4. Paste where needed

Method 3: Emoji Panel (Windows 10/11)

1. Press Windows key + . (period)
2. Type "registered" in the search box
3. Click the ® symbol to insert

How to Type ® on Mac

Method 1: Keyboard Shortcut

Press Option + R simultaneously to produce ®

Method 2: Character Viewer

1. Press Control + Command + Space to open Character Viewer
2. Search for "registered"
3. Double-click the symbol to insert

How to Type ® on Linux

Method 1: Ctrl + Shift + U (Unicode Input)

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + U
2. Type 00AE
3. Press Enter or Space—the symbol appears

Method 2: Compose Key

1. Set a Compose key in keyboard settings
2. Press Compose, then (r), then release
3. ® appears

How to Type ® on Mobile Devices

iPhone and iPad (iOS)

1. Tap the number/symbol key (?123)
2. Tap the #+= key
3. Tap and hold the & key
4. Slide to select ® from the popup

Android

1. Tap the ?123 button to switch to symbols
2. Tap the ALT or =\< button for more symbols
3. Tap and hold the "R" key
4. Select ® from the popup menu

HTML Code for Websites

When coding websites, use these entities to display the registered trademark symbol:

Microsoft Office Shortcuts

Microsoft Word

• AutoCorrect: Type (r) and press Space—Word automatically converts it to ®
• Insert symbol: Insert > Symbol > More Symbols > ®
• Alt code: Alt + 0174 (numeric keypad)

Excel and PowerPoint

• Insert symbol: Insert tab > Symbol > ®
• Alt code: Alt + 0174

Google Workspace

Google Docs

• Insert special character: Insert > Special characters > search "registered"
• Copy and paste: Use ® from this page

Google Sheets

• Insert menu: Insert > Special characters
• Direct input: Copy ® and paste into cells

Legal Considerations

When to Use ®

The registered trademark symbol should only be used when:

• The mark is officially registered with the USPTO (United States) or equivalent office
• You have received a certificate of registration
• The registration is current and not expired

When NOT to Use ®

Using ® without valid registration can:

• Result in legal penalties in some jurisdictions
• Invalidate your trademark application
• Mislead consumers about your registration status

If your trademark application is pending but not yet approved, use ™ instead.

International Variations

Different countries have different symbols and requirements:

• United States: ® (registered), ™ (unregistered)
• United Kingdom: ® (registered), ™ (unregistered)
• Germany: ® (registered), ™ (not legally recognized)
• Japan: ® (��ットマーク), 商標™ (shōhyō)
• International: ® is widely recognized

Quick Reference Table

Conclusion

The registered trademark symbol (®) is essential for protecting and representing your brand. With the shortcuts and methods outlined in this guide, you can quickly insert ® on any device or platform. Remember to use this symbol responsibly and only for trademarks that have been officially registered with the appropriate government authority.