® is one of the more useful symbols to know — here’s the fastest method on every platform
Whether you’re writing product listings, drafting marketing copy, or putting together a business document, the registered trademark symbol ® comes up often enough that hunting for it every time gets old quickly. Like the degree symbol, the method varies by platform — but on most of them there’s a shortcut worth memorizing.
The Symbol and What It Means
Just to be clear on what you’re typing: ® is the registered trademark symbol, used to indicate that a trademark has been officially registered with the relevant government authority. It’s distinct from ™ (unregistered trademark) and ℠ (service mark), though the typing methods for all three are similar enough that they’re covered below where relevant.
Windows
Method 1: Alt Code (Most Reliable)
Hold Alt and type 0174 on the numeric keypad. Release Alt and ® appears.
- Num Lock must be on
- Use the numeric keypad, not the number row at the top
- Laptops without a dedicated numpad will need a different method
Method 2: Character Map
Search for Character Map in the Start menu, find ®, and copy it to your clipboard. Slow, but works on any Windows machine including those without a numpad.
Method 3: Word AutoCorrect (Happens Automatically)
If you’re in Microsoft Word, you probably don’t need to do anything at all. Word’s AutoCorrect feature automatically converts (r) to ® as you type. Type the letter, the parentheses, and Word handles the rest.
Method 4: System-Wide Text Expansion
For use outside of Word — in browsers, email clients, spreadsheets, anywhere — a tool like PhraseExpress, AutoHotkey, or Espanso lets you set a trigger like (r) or regd that expands to ® across every application. Set it up once and forget about it.
Mac
Method 1: Keyboard Shortcut (Fastest)
Press Option + R to type ® instantly. That’s it.
This is one of the easiest symbol shortcuts on any platform. Option + R is straightforward to remember — R for Registered — and works in every Mac application without any setup.
Method 2: Character Viewer
Press Control + Command + Space to open the Character Viewer. Search for “registered” and double-click the symbol to insert it.
Method 3: Text Replacement
Go to System Settings → Keyboard → Text Replacements and map a shortcut like (r) or regd to ®. Works system-wide across every app on your Mac.
iPhone and iPad
Method 1: Standard Keyboard — Symbols Page
Tap ?123 to switch to numbers and symbols, then tap the #+— key to get to the second symbols screen. ® is on that page. Tap it to insert.
It’s not the fastest method, but it’s built in and requires no setup.
Method 2: Text Replacement
Go to Settings → General → Keyboard → Text Replacement and add ® as the phrase with a short trigger like (r) or regd. After that, your shortcut expands to ® automatically in any app.
For anyone who types ® regularly on mobile, this is worth the two minutes it takes to set up.
Android
Method 1: Symbols Menu
Tap ?123 to open the numbers and symbols layout. On most Android keyboards including Gboard, ® is visible directly on that screen or one tap further into a secondary symbols page.
Method 2: Long Press on R (Gboard)
On Gboard, tap and hold the R key. A popup of alternate characters appears — ® is typically one of them. Slide to it and release.
Method 3: Gboard Voice or Emoji Search
In Gboard, tap the G logo and use the symbol search. Type “registered” and the symbol will appear as an insertable option.
Chromebook
Method 1: Unicode Input
Press Ctrl + Shift + U, type 00ae, then press Enter or Space. The ® symbol appears at your cursor.
This is the standard ChromeOS Unicode entry method and works in most text fields across the system.
Linux
Method 1: Unicode Input
Press Ctrl + Shift + U, type 00ae, then press Enter. Works the same way as ChromeOS and is consistent across most Linux distributions and desktop environments.
Method 2: Compose Key
With a Compose key configured, the sequence is Compose + o + r to produce ®. The Compose key needs to be enabled in your keyboard settings first if it isn’t already.
Microsoft Word (Any Platform)
Word gives you several options beyond the AutoCorrect trick:
Type 00AE then immediately press Alt + X. Word converts the Unicode code point to ® on the spot.
Or just type (r) — Word’s AutoCorrect handles the conversion automatically without any setup required.
For the ™ symbol in Word, type (tm) and AutoCorrect converts it the same way.
Google Docs
Go to Insert → Special Characters, search for “registered,” and click to insert. Like the degree symbol, the most practical ongoing solution is to use your operating system shortcut — Option + R on Mac works inside Docs just like anywhere else, and the Alt code works on Windows.
Quick Reference: ™ and ℠ Too
Since you’re here, the related trademark symbols follow the same logic:
| Symbol | Windows Alt Code | Mac Shortcut | Unicode |
|---|---|---|---|
| ® Registered | Alt + 0174 | Option + R | 00AE |
| ™ Trademark | Alt + 0153 | Option + 2 | 2122 |
| ℠ Service Mark | Character Map only | Option + Shift + S (some systems) | 2120 |
The One to Remember for Each Platform
| Platform | Fastest Method |
|---|---|
| Windows | Alt + 0174 (numpad) |
| Mac | Option + R |
| iPhone / iPad | Text replacement shortcut |
| Android | Long press R key (Gboard) |
| Chromebook | Ctrl + Shift + U, then 00ae |
| Linux | Ctrl + Shift + U, then 00ae |
| Microsoft Word | Type (r) — AutoCorrect handles it |
The Bottom Line
On a Mac, Option + R is so easy there’s nothing else to think about. On Windows, the Alt code works reliably if you have a numpad, and Word’s AutoCorrect removes the problem entirely for document work. On mobile, a text replacement shortcut is the one-time setup that pays off every time after.
If you’re writing product copy, legal documents, or anything commercial with any regularity, spend two minutes setting up a text expansion shortcut on whichever platform you use most. The ® symbol is common enough in that kind of writing that having it on a trigger is genuinely worth it.
Option + R on a Mac. Alt + 0174 on Windows. Everything else is a two-minute setup away.
Meet Ry, “TechGuru,” a 36-year-old technology enthusiast with a deep passion for tech innovations. With extensive experience, he specializes in gaming hardware and software, and has expertise in gadgets, custom PCs, and audio.
Besides writing about tech and reviewing new products, he enjoys traveling, hiking, and photography. Committed to keeping up with the latest industry trends, he aims to guide readers in making informed tech decisions.