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Learn how the trademark classification system works and why it matters for your business.
The trademark classification system divides all products and services into 45 different "classes." When you register a trademark, you must specify which class(es) your goods or services fall under.
Classes 1-34 cover different types of goods (physical products), while Classes 35-45 cover services. This international system, known as the Nice Classification, is used by most countries worldwide to organize trademark registrations.
When you register a trademark, your protection generally only extends to the specific classes you've registered in. This means someone else might be able to use a similar mark for completely different products or services.
Classes 1-34 cover physical products of all kinds.
Examples include clothing (Class 25), electronics (Class 9), furniture (Class 20), and food products (Class 30).
Classes 35-45 cover all types of services.
Examples include retail services (Class 35), financial services (Class 36), education (Class 41), and legal services (Class 45).
| Class | Type | Covers | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class 9 | Goods | Electronic devices, software | Computers, mobile apps, software programs |
| Class 25 | Goods | Clothing, footwear, headgear | T-shirts, shoes, hats |
| Class 35 | Services | Business services, advertising | Retail stores, online marketplaces, consulting |
| Class 41 | Services | Education, entertainment | Online courses, fitness classes, publishing |
| Class 42 | Services | Technology services, design | Software as a service, web development, cloud services |
This is just a small selection of commonly used classes. View the complete list of all 45 trademark classes for more details.
If your business offers both products and services, you may need to register in multiple classes. For example, a company that makes fitness equipment (Class 28) and also offers fitness classes (Class 41) would need to register in both classes for complete protection.
The USPTO charges fees per class, so registering in multiple classes will increase your total cost. As of 2023, the basic filing fee is $250-$350 per class, depending on the filing option.
Consider your future business plans when selecting classes. If you plan to expand into new product lines or services in the next few years, you might want to include those classes in your initial application.
The USPTO provides a searchable ID Manual that can help you identify the appropriate class. Our trademark search tool can also suggest appropriate classes based on your description.
You generally cannot add classes to an existing application or registration. To protect your mark in additional classes, you would need to file a new application.
Some products or services may legitimately fall under multiple classes. For complete protection, you should register in all applicable classes.
Contact us at [email protected] for help with identifying the most appropriate classes for your products or services.