The fastest way to insert a trademark symbol

In Microsoft Word, the quickest method is to type the letters tm (lowercase), then immediately press Ctrl+Shift+Z on Windows or Cmd+Shift+Z on Mac. Word will convert those letters into the superscript ™ symbol. This works in most versions of Word from 2010 onward.

If that keyboard shortcut does not work on your version, you can use the Insert menu instead. Click Insert at the top, then Special Characters (or Symbol in older versions), search for "trademark," and click the ™ symbol to place it in your document.

A third option is to type the Unicode code directly: hold Alt on Windows and type 0153 on the numeric keypad, then release Alt. On Mac, hold Option and press 2. These methods work in Word and most other programs.

Key Takeaways

  • Type tm and press Ctrl+Shift+Z (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+Z (Mac) to convert it to the ™ symbol instantly.
  • If the keyboard shortcut does not work, use Insert > Special Characters, search for "trademark," and select the symbol.
  • The Unicode method (Alt+0153 on Windows, Option+2 on Mac) works across Word and other programs.
  • The registered trademark symbol ® uses Alt+0174 on Windows or Option+R on Mac if you need that instead.

Using the Insert menu when shortcuts do not work

Open your Word document and place your cursor where you want the trademark symbol. Click the Insert tab in the ribbon at the top of the window.

Look for a button labeled Symbol or Special Characters — the exact name depends on your Word version. Click it, and a dialog box will open showing available symbols. Type "trademark" in the search field (if your version has one) or scroll through the list until you find ™.

Click the trademark symbol once to select it, then click Insert at the bottom of the dialog. The symbol will appear in your document at the cursor position. You can close the dialog after that.

Differences between trademark, registered, and service mark symbols

The ™ symbol (trademark) is the most common. It indicates a brand name or logo that a company uses but may not have officially registered with a government trademark office. You can use it without legal registration.

The ® symbol (registered trademark) means the mark is officially registered with a trademark office like the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Using ® without registration is technically illegal in some jurisdictions, so only use it if the trademark is actually registered. Insert it the same way: type r and press Ctrl+Shift+Z, or use Alt+0174 on Windows.

The ℠ symbol (service mark) works the same way as ™ but applies to services rather than products. It is less common in everyday writing. You can insert it through the Special Characters menu by searching for "service mark."

Why the keyboard shortcut might not work

The Ctrl+Shift+Z shortcut (or Cmd+Shift+Z on Mac) only works if you type the letters tm first and then press the keys immediately after. If you press the keys before typing anything, nothing happens. The letters must be lowercase — typing TM in capitals will not trigger the conversion.

Some versions of Word, particularly older ones or those customized by your workplace, may have different keyboard shortcuts. If the standard shortcut does not work, the Insert menu method will work on any version. You can also check your keyboard shortcuts by going to File > Options > Customize Ribbon > Keyboard Shortcuts to see what is assigned to your version.

If you use Word Online (the browser version), the Insert menu method is your best option, as keyboard shortcuts may behave differently. The Unicode method (Alt codes) does not work in the browser version.

Setting up AutoCorrect to insert the symbol automatically

If you type the trademark symbol often, you can set up Word to insert it automatically. Go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options. In the dialog that opens, find the AutoCorrect tab.

In the "Replace" field, type a shorthand you will remember — for example, (tm) or :tm:. In the "With" field, insert the actual trademark symbol. You can copy and paste it from your document, or type it using one of the methods above, then paste it into this field.

Click Add, then OK. From that point on, whenever you type your shorthand (like (tm)), Word will automatically replace it with ™ as soon as you press Space or Enter. This saves time if you use the symbol repeatedly in the same document.

Copying and pasting the symbol from elsewhere

If you already have the trademark symbol in another document or website, you can simply copy it and paste it into Word. Highlight the ™ symbol, press Ctrl+C (or Cmd+C on Mac), then click in your Word document and press Ctrl+V (or Cmd+V).

This method is useful if none of the keyboard shortcuts work on your computer or if you prefer not to use the Insert menu. You can also keep a text file with commonly used symbols saved somewhere you can access it quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the trademark symbol without legally registering my trademark?

Yes. The ™ symbol indicates you claim a trademark but have not registered it officially. The ® symbol should only be used if you have actually registered with a trademark office. Using ™ is free and requires no registration — it simply notifies others that you consider something your brand.

Why does my trademark symbol look different in different fonts?

Different fonts render the ™ symbol slightly differently. Some fonts place it higher or lower, make it larger or smaller, or adjust its spacing. If the appearance matters for your document, try changing the font to see which one looks best. The symbol itself is the same; only its visual appearance changes.

Does the trademark symbol work the same way in Google Docs?

Google Docs does not support the Ctrl+Shift+Z shortcut. Instead, use Insert > Special Characters, search for "trademark," and click the symbol. You can also copy the ™ symbol from Word and paste it into Google Docs.

What if I need the superscript TM instead of the actual symbol?

Type TM in capital letters, then select it and press Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+P (Mac) to make it superscript. This creates a smaller, raised version of the letters rather than using the actual ™ symbol character.

Can I insert the trademark symbol on a Mac using a different method?

On Mac, you can also use Option+2 to insert ™ directly, or go to Edit > Emoji & Symbols to search for and insert it. The Insert menu method works the same as on Windows.