The fastest way to type the ® symbol

In Microsoft Word, you can insert the registered trademark symbol (®) in three ways. The quickest is to type (R) and let Word's AutoCorrect feature convert it automatically. The most reliable is to use the Insert menu. The most direct is to memorize the keyboard shortcut.

Which method works best depends on whether you want Word to do the work for you or you want full control. AutoCorrect is fastest once you know it exists. The Insert menu works on any computer. The keyboard shortcut is fastest once you memorize it, but it varies by operating system.

Key Takeaways

  • Type (R) in parentheses and Word will automatically convert it to ® if AutoCorrect is turned on.
  • Use Alt+0174 on Windows or Option+R on Mac to insert ® directly without AutoCorrect.
  • Go to Insert > Special Character (or Symbol on older Word versions) to browse and insert the symbol manually.
  • The AutoCorrect method only works if you have AutoCorrect enabled in Word's settings, which is the default but can be turned off.

Using AutoCorrect to convert (R) to ®

Word's AutoCorrect feature watches what you type and replaces certain character combinations automatically. One of those combinations is (R) — when you type an opening parenthesis, the letter R, and a closing parenthesis, Word converts it to ®.

To use this method, type the text you want, then type (R) where you need the symbol. Press the spacebar or punctuation mark after it, and Word will convert it. For example, if you type "Acme(R) Corporation" and then press space, it becomes "Acme® Corporation".

This only works if AutoCorrect is on. To check, go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options. Look for the tab labeled "AutoFormat As You Type" and make sure the box next to "Replace (R) with ®" is checked. If it is not checked, check it and click OK.

The keyboard shortcut on Windows

On Windows computers, hold down Alt and type 0174 on the numeric keypad (not the numbers across the top of the keyboard). When you release Alt, the ® symbol appears. This works in Word and in most other programs.

The numeric keypad is the set of number keys on the right side of a full-size keyboard. If you are using a laptop without a numeric keypad, you may need to enable Num Lock and use the number keys that double as letters (usually marked with numbers in the corner). Some laptops have a Fn key you hold to activate the numeric keypad temporarily.

The keyboard shortcut on Mac

On a Mac, hold down Option (also called Alt) and press R. Release both keys and the ® symbol appears. This is faster than the Windows shortcut because it requires only two keys instead of four numbers.

If you are using a Mac keyboard, the Option key is usually next to the Command key at the bottom left of the keyboard. Make sure you are holding Option, not Control or Command, or the shortcut will not work.

Using the Insert menu for manual insertion

If you prefer not to rely on keyboard shortcuts or AutoCorrect, you can insert the symbol through Word's menu. Go to the Insert tab at the top of the window. In newer versions of Word (2016 and later), click "Symbol" on the right side of the ribbon, then click "More Symbols".

A dialog box opens. In the "Subset" dropdown, select "Latin-1 Supplement". Scroll down or search for the registered trademark symbol (®). Click it once to select it, then click "Insert". The symbol appears in your document at the cursor position. You can close the dialog when you are done.

In older versions of Word, the path is Insert > Special Character instead of Insert > Symbol. The process is the same — find the symbol, select it, and click Insert.

When AutoCorrect gets in the way

Sometimes you actually want to type (R) without it converting to ®. If you need the literal characters, you have two options. You can turn off AutoCorrect for this specific replacement by going to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options and unchecking the (R) replacement. Or you can type (R), then immediately press Ctrl+Z to undo the conversion, which leaves the literal (R) in place.

Another workaround is to type the opening parenthesis, then press space, then type R, then press space, then type the closing parenthesis. This breaks the pattern Word looks for, so AutoCorrect will not trigger.

Trademark vs. registered trademark symbols

The registered trademark symbol (®) means the trademark is registered with a government office like the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The trademark symbol (™) means someone claims ownership but has not registered it. Word also converts (TM) to ™ automatically if AutoCorrect is on.

Use ® only if the trademark is actually registered. Using it on an unregistered mark can create legal problems. If you are unsure whether a mark is registered, use ™ instead or leave the symbol off entirely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does (R) not convert to ® when I type it?

AutoCorrect is probably turned off. Go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options and check the box next to "Replace (R) with ®". Make sure you are in the "AutoFormat As You Type" tab, not the "AutoCorrect" tab.

Does the keyboard shortcut work in other programs besides Word?

Yes. Alt+0174 on Windows and Option+R on Mac work in most programs that handle text — email clients, web browsers, Google Docs, and others. Some programs may not support it, but it is worth trying.

Can I create my own AutoCorrect shortcut for the ® symbol?

Yes. Go to File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options. In the "Replace" field, type the shortcut you want (like "reg" or "rtm"). In the "With" field, type or paste the ® symbol. Click Add, then OK. Now whenever you type your shortcut, Word converts it.

What if I need the symbol in a different size or color?

Insert the symbol normally, then select it and format it like any other text. You can change the font size, color, bold, italic, or any other formatting. The symbol will scale and color with the rest of your text.