The fastest way to type ™ depends on what device and program you're using

The trademark symbol (™) is a small raised character that marks a brand name or product. On Windows, hold Alt and press 0153 on the numeric keypad. On Mac, press Option + 2. In most web browsers and word processors, you can also type the word "trademark" and let autocorrect replace it, or insert it from a menu without memorizing a code.

The method that works fastest for you depends on whether you're typing in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, a text message, or a web form. Some programs offer symbol menus; others respond to keyboard shortcuts. If you type the trademark symbol often, learning the keyboard shortcut for your device saves time. If you only need it occasionally, the menu route takes longer but requires no memorization.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows users can type ™ by holding Alt and pressing 0153 on the numeric keypad, while Mac users press Option + 2.
  • Word processors like Microsoft Word and Google Docs let you insert the symbol from the Insert menu without using a keyboard shortcut.
  • Many programs have autocorrect features that replace "(tm)" or "trademark" with the actual ™ symbol automatically.
  • On phones and tablets, the trademark symbol usually appears on a secondary keyboard accessed by holding down the period or punctuation key.
  • If a keyboard shortcut does not work, your program may not support it — the Insert menu is the backup method that works almost everywhere.

Windows keyboard shortcut

On Windows computers, the numeric keypad method works in most programs. Hold down the Alt key, then type 0153 on the numeric keypad (the set of number keys on the right side of your keyboard). Release Alt, and the ™ symbol appears. This works in Word, Notepad, web browsers, and most text fields.

The numeric keypad is essential — typing 0153 on the regular number row at the top of the keyboard does not work. If your laptop does not have a dedicated numeric keypad, you may need to enable Num Lock and use the number keys on the right side of the keyboard, or use the Insert menu method instead.

Mac keyboard shortcut

On Mac, press Option + 2 to type the ™ symbol. This works in most programs including Mail, Word, Google Docs, and web browsers. The Option key is also labeled Alt on some Mac keyboards.

If Option + 2 does not work in a specific program, that program may not recognize the shortcut. Try the Insert menu method instead, which works in nearly all Mac programs.

Using the Insert menu in Word and Google Docs

Microsoft Word and Google Docs both have symbol menus that let you insert ™ without a keyboard shortcut. In Word, click Insert at the top, then select Symbol, then Special Characters. A window opens showing hundreds of symbols. Type "trademark" in the search box, click the ™ symbol, then click Insert.

In Google Docs, click Insert at the top, then select Special Characters. Type "trademark" in the search box, and click the ™ symbol to insert it. This method is slower than a keyboard shortcut but works the same way every time and requires no memorization.

Autocorrect in Word and Google Docs

Both Word and Google Docs can replace text with the trademark symbol automatically. In Word, type (tm) and press Space or Enter — Word replaces it with ™. In Google Docs, type (tm) and the same thing happens if autocorrect is turned on.

You can also set up custom autocorrect rules. In Word, go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options, then type the text you want to replace (like "trademark") and set the replacement to ™. In Google Docs, go to Tools > Preferences and enable "Use smart quotes" — this does not directly create a trademark rule, but you can type (tm) and it will auto-replace.

On phones and tablets

On iPhones and iPads, hold down the period key (.) on the keyboard. A menu appears with punctuation and symbol options, including ™. Tap it to insert it. On Android phones, the method varies by keyboard app. In the default Google Keyboard, tap the ?123 key to switch to the numbers and symbols view, then look for the ™ symbol or hold down the period key to see more options.

If you cannot find the symbol on your phone's keyboard, you can also type "(tm)" and many messaging apps and social media platforms will auto-replace it with ™.

In web browsers and online forms

The keyboard shortcuts for ™ work in most web browsers and online forms. On Windows, Alt + 0153 works in Gmail, Facebook, Twitter, and most text fields. On Mac, Option + 2 works the same way. If the shortcut does not work in a specific form, try typing (tm) instead — many websites auto-replace it.

If neither method works, you can copy and paste the symbol from another source. Open a new browser tab, search for "trademark symbol," copy the ™ from the search results, and paste it into the form you are filling out.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between ™ and ®?

™ marks a brand name or product that the owner claims as a trademark but has not registered with the government. ® marks a trademark that has been officially registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office or an equivalent agency in another country. ™ can be used without registration; ® can only be used after registration is complete.

Can I use the registered trademark symbol ® the same way?

On Windows, hold Alt and press 0174 to type ®. On Mac, press Option + R. The Insert menu method works for ® as well — search for "registered" in the symbol menu. The same keyboard shortcuts and autocorrect methods apply.

Why does Alt + 0153 not work on my Windows laptop?

Laptops often do not have a dedicated numeric keypad. Try enabling Num Lock (usually a key labeled Num Lock or Fn + Num Lock) and using the number keys on the right side of your keyboard. If that does not work, use the Insert menu in Word or Google Docs instead, which does not require a numeric keypad.

Does the keyboard shortcut work in all programs?

The shortcut works in most programs, but not all. Word processors, email clients, and web browsers support it. Some older programs or specialized software may not. If the shortcut does not work, the Insert menu is the backup method that works almost everywhere.

Can I set up autocorrect to replace a custom word with ™?

Yes. In Word, go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options, type the word you want to replace in the "Replace" field, and paste or type ™ in the "With" field. In Google Docs, go to Tools > Preferences, but Google Docs does not have a full autocorrect setup — you can only use the built-in (tm) replacement.