The fastest way to add the ® symbol

The registered trademark symbol (®) appears in Word through the Insert menu, and takes about 10 seconds once you know where to look. Open your document, place your cursor where you want the symbol, then go to Insert at the top of the screen and click Symbol. A dropdown menu appears — click More Symbols at the bottom. In the window that opens, search for "registered" in the search box at the bottom left, and the ® symbol will appear in the list. Double-click it to insert it into your document, then close the window.

If you use the registered trademark symbol often, Word lets you set up a keyboard shortcut so you never have to open that menu again. This takes a few extra minutes to set up the first time, but saves time every time you type it afterward.

Key Takeaways

  • The registered trademark symbol inserts through Insert > Symbol > More Symbols, then search for "registered" and double-click the ® result.
  • You can create a keyboard shortcut for the ® symbol so you type it as fast as any other character — this takes about five minutes to set up once.
  • The Alt code method (Alt + 0174 on the numeric keypad) works on Windows but not on Mac, and requires you to remember the number.
  • Copying and pasting the ® symbol from another source works instantly if you already have it somewhere, but is slower than a keyboard shortcut for repeated use.

Setting up a keyboard shortcut for the ® symbol

If you type the registered trademark symbol more than once or twice, a keyboard shortcut saves time. Open the Symbol window again (Insert > Symbol > More Symbols), find the ® symbol by searching for "registered", and click it once to select it. At the bottom left of the window, you will see a button labeled Shortcut Key. Click it.

A small dialog box opens asking you to press the key combination you want to use. Choose something you will remember and that does not conflict with existing shortcuts — many people use Ctrl + Alt + R, or Ctrl + Shift + 4. Press your chosen combination, then click Assign. Word confirms the shortcut is now active. Close the Symbol window. From now on, pressing that key combination will insert the ® symbol instantly.

If you later forget which shortcut you assigned, you can always return to Insert > Symbol > More Symbols, select the ® symbol, and click Shortcut Key again — it will show you the combination you set.

Using the Alt code on Windows

Windows computers have a built-in Alt code for the registered trademark symbol: hold down Alt and type 0174 on the numeric keypad (the number pad on the right side of your keyboard), then release Alt. The ® symbol appears instantly. This works in Word and in most other programs.

The numeric keypad is essential — typing 0174 on the regular number keys at the top of the keyboard will not work. If your keyboard does not have a numeric keypad, or if you are using a laptop without one, this method is not available to you. The Insert > Symbol method works on any keyboard.

Copying and pasting the symbol

If you already have the ® symbol somewhere — in an email, a web page, or another document — you can copy it and paste it into Word. Highlight the symbol, press Ctrl + C to copy it, click in your Word document where you want it, and press Ctrl + V to paste. This takes about five seconds but only works if you already have the symbol available somewhere else.

This method is useful as a one-time solution, but if you need the symbol regularly, setting up a keyboard shortcut is faster in the long run. You will spend less time typing after the first few uses.

Differences between Word versions

The Insert > Symbol method works the same way in Word 2019, Word 2021, and Microsoft 365 (the subscription version). The menu locations and button names are identical. If you are using an older version of Word (2016 or earlier), the process is the same — go to Insert, click Symbol, then More Symbols, search for "registered", and double-click the result.

On Mac, the Insert menu still has a Symbol option, but the window looks slightly different. Search for "registered" the same way, find the ® symbol, and click Insert. The Alt code method does not work on Mac — use the Insert > Symbol route instead, or set up a keyboard shortcut through System Preferences if you plan to use the symbol in multiple programs.

Troubleshooting: the symbol does not appear

If you insert the ® symbol but it does not show up in your document, the most common cause is that your font does not include that character. Some older or decorative fonts lack the registered trademark symbol. Switch to a standard font like Calibri, Arial, or Times New Roman, then try inserting the symbol again. It should appear immediately.

If the symbol appears but looks wrong — too small, misaligned, or in a different style than your text — check that you are using the same font for the symbol as for the surrounding text. Select the symbol and look at the font dropdown in the toolbar to confirm. If it shows a different font, click the dropdown and select the font you want to match.

Registered trademark vs. other trademark symbols

The registered trademark symbol (®) is different from the unregistered trademark symbol (™) and the service mark symbol (℠). The ® symbol means the trademark is officially registered with a government office like the US Patent and Trademark Office. The ™ symbol can be used for any brand name or logo, whether registered or not. The ℠ symbol is used for services rather than products.

If you need the ™ or ℠ symbols instead, use the same Insert > Symbol method — search for "trade mark" or "service mark" in the Symbol window and you will find them. They insert the same way as the ® symbol.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I type the registered trademark symbol on a Mac?

The Insert > Symbol method works on Mac the same way as Windows. The Alt code (Alt + 0174) does not work on Mac. If you use the symbol often, set up a keyboard shortcut through System Preferences, or use Insert > Symbol and create a Word-specific shortcut through the Shortcut Key button in the Symbol window.

What if I do not have a numeric keypad for the Alt code?

Use the Insert > Symbol method instead — it works on any keyboard. If you use the symbol regularly, set up a keyboard shortcut so you do not have to open the Symbol window every time. This is faster than the Alt code method once you have used it a few times.

Does the registered trademark symbol work in all fonts?

Most standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, and Times New Roman include the ® symbol. Some decorative or older fonts may not. If the symbol does not appear after you insert it, switch to a standard font and try again. The symbol will display correctly in any font that includes it.

Can I use the same keyboard shortcut in other Microsoft programs?

A keyboard shortcut you create in Word works only in Word. If you want the same shortcut in Excel, PowerPoint, or Outlook, you have to set it up separately in each program. Use the same Insert > Symbol > Shortcut Key method in each program and assign the same key combination.

Is there a difference between copying the ® symbol and inserting it through the menu?

No — the symbol is identical either way. Copying and pasting is faster for a single use, but if you need the symbol more than a few times, a keyboard shortcut is more efficient because you do not have to find and copy the symbol each time.