Guide
Trademark classes: the full list of 45
Every trademark is registered for particular goods or services, sorted into 45 classes: 1 to 34 for goods, 35 to 45 for services. The U.S. uses the same international (Nice) list as almost every other country. You pay per class, and your protection covers only the classes you file in.
Not sure where your product fits? Describe it to the class recommender. Each class name below opens its own page, with how crowded the class is and how often applications in it succeed.
Goods: classes 1 to 34
| Class | What belongs here | Registered U.S. marks |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Chemicals | Industrial, scientific and agricultural chemicals: fertilisers, adhesives for industry, chemicals used in manufacturing. | 67,445 |
| 2 Paints | Paints, varnishes, lacquers, colourants, rust preservatives and printing inks, including ink cartridges sold filled. | 19,059 |
| 3 Cosmetics & Cleaning | Non-medicated cosmetics and toiletries, soaps, perfumes, essential oils for cosmetic or fragrance use, and cleaning and polishing preparations. | 153,231 |
| 4 Lubricants & Fuels | Industrial oils and greases, lubricants, fuels and lighting fuels, and candles and wicks. | 23,522 |
| 5 Pharmaceuticals | Pharmaceuticals, medical preparations, dietary supplements, disinfectants, baby food, plasters and dressings. | 142,794 |
| 6 Metal Goods | Common metals and metal goods: metal building materials, hardware, locks, keys, safes, metal containers. | 64,908 |
| 7 Machinery | Machines and machine tools, motors and engines (except for land vehicles), and electric kitchen machines such as mixers and food processors. | 106,742 |
| 8 Hand Tools | Hand tools and implements, cutlery, razors (manual and electric), and side arms other than firearms. | 50,555 |
| 9 Computers & Electronics | Downloadable software and apps, computers and electronics, phones, recorded media, downloadable digital files, smart glasses and protective helmets. | 490,935 |
| 10 Medical Apparatus | Medical, surgical, dental and veterinary apparatus, orthopaedic articles, glasses, contact lenses and sunglasses (moved here from class 9 in 2026), and sexual wellness devices. | 99,888 |
| 11 Environmental Control | Lighting, heating, cooking, refrigerating, drying, ventilating and water-supply apparatus, and sanitary installations. | 132,128 |
| 12 Vehicles | Vehicles and their parts, engines for land vehicles, bicycles and most bicycle parts, and tyres. | 84,565 |
| 13 Firearms | Firearms, ammunition, explosives and fireworks. | 12,694 |
| 14 Jewelry | Jewellery, precious metals and stones, watches and clocks, and jewellery boxes. | 72,127 |
| 15 Musical Instruments | Musical instruments and their stands and cases. | 10,285 |
| 16 Paper Goods | Printed matter, books, stationery, office supplies, artists' materials, and paper or plastic packaging. | 170,906 |
| 17 Rubber Goods | Unprocessed and semi-processed rubber and plastics, insulating materials, non-metal flexible hoses, and packing materials of rubber or plastic. | 30,323 |
| 18 Leather Goods | Leather and imitation leather goods: bags, wallets, luggage, umbrellas, and harness and saddlery, including pet collars and leashes. | 81,742 |
| 19 Building Materials | Non-metal building materials: wood, stone, concrete, tiles, glass for building, and non-metal doors and windows. | 35,229 |
| 20 Furniture | Furniture, mirrors, picture frames, non-metal containers, and pet beds and cushions. | 123,250 |
| 21 Housewares | Household and kitchen utensils and containers, cookware, glassware, combs, toothbrushes, and cleaning tools. | 165,942 |
| 22 Cordage | Ropes and string, nets, tents and tarpaulins, sacks for transporting goods, and padding and stuffing materials. | 17,215 |
| 23 Yarns & Threads | Yarns and threads for textile use. | 3,456 |
| 24 Fabrics | Textiles and fabrics, bed linen, table linen, towels and household textiles. | 60,514 |
| 25 Clothing | Clothing, footwear and headwear. | 325,853 |
| 26 Fancy Goods | Lace and embroidery, ribbons, buttons, hooks and pins, artificial flowers, hair accessories and wigs. | 33,460 |
| 27 Floor Coverings | Carpets, rugs, mats, linoleum and other floor coverings, and wallpaper. | 19,630 |
| 28 Toys & Sporting Goods | Games, toys and playthings, sporting goods, video game consoles, and Christmas tree decorations (but not tree lights, candles or edible decorations). | 174,184 |
| 29 Meats & Processed Foods | Meat, fish, poultry, dairy products, eggs, edible oils, preserved and cooked fruit and vegetables, soups, and nut butters. | 61,281 |
| 30 Staple Foods | Coffee, tea, cocoa, sugar, rice, flour, bread, pastries, confectionery, ice cream, sauces and spices. | 109,153 |
| 31 Natural Agricultural Products | Fresh fruit and vegetables, live plants and animals, seeds, malt, and animal foodstuffs including pet food. | 36,914 |
| 32 Light Beverages | Beers, non-alcoholic beverages, mineral and sparkling water, fruit juices, and energy drinks. | 45,630 |
| 33 Wine & Spirits | Alcoholic beverages except beers: wine, spirits, liqueurs, hard seltzers and ciders. | 62,725 |
| 34 Smokers Articles | Tobacco and tobacco substitutes, cigarettes and cigars, electronic cigarettes and vaping devices, lighters and smokers' articles. | 19,251 |
Services: classes 35 to 45
| Class | What belongs here | Registered U.S. marks |
|---|---|---|
| 35 Advertising & Business | Advertising, marketing, business management and administration, and retail and online store services. | 411,235 |
| 36 Insurance & Financial | Insurance, banking and financial services, investment, real estate services, and fundraising. | 171,045 |
| 37 Building & Construction | Building construction, repair and installation services, and cleaning services. | 95,930 |
| 38 Telecommunications | Telecommunications: transmission and streaming of data, voice and video, chat rooms, forums and messaging services. | 44,807 |
| 39 Transportation & Storage | Transport, delivery, storage and warehousing, travel arrangement, and distribution of energy. | 54,657 |
| 40 Treatment & Processing | Treatment and processing of materials for others: custom manufacturing, printing, recycling, and embroidery and 3D printing to order. | 46,558 |
| 41 Education & Entertainment | Education, training, entertainment, sporting and cultural activities, events, online content to watch or read, and fitness classes. | 415,501 |
| 42 Computer & Scientific | Scientific and technological services, software as a service (SaaS), software development, hosting, and design. | 300,011 |
| 43 Hotels & Restaurants | Restaurants, cafés, bars, catering, and temporary accommodation such as hotels. | 97,306 |
| 44 Medical Services | Medical, veterinary and beauty services: clinics, therapy, hair and beauty salons, spas, and agricultural and gardening services. | 108,441 |
| 45 Legal & Security Services | Legal services, security services that protect people and property (IT security is class 42), personal and social services, dating services, and online social networking services. | 71,183 |
Classes people often mix up
- Software: 9 or 42. Software people download or install is class 9; software used online without downloading (SaaS) is class 42. Many software brands file both.
- Kitchen appliances: 7 or 11. Blenders and food processors are class 7; coffee makers, ovens and air fryers are class 11.
- Skin care: 3 or 5. Ordinary cosmetics are class 3; medicated products are class 5.
- Food: 29 or 30. Meat, dairy, plant milks and nut butters are class 29; coffee, bakery, confectionery and sauces are class 30.
- Drinks: 32 or 33. Beer and soft drinks are class 32; wine, spirits, cider and hard seltzer are class 33.
- Bags: 18, not 25. Handbags, backpacks and luggage are class 18 even when a clothing brand sells them.
- Streaming: 38 or 41. Transmitting content is class 38; providing the videos or podcasts themselves is class 41.
- Candles: 4. Not home goods: candles are class 4, candle holders class 21.
What changed in 2026
The classification is revised every year, and the current edition has been in force since 1 January 2026. The changes most likely to affect a new filing:
- Eyewear moved from class 9 to class 10. Spectacles, contact lenses and sunglasses are now class 10; smart glasses stay in class 9.
- Essential oils are classed by purpose. For cosmetic or fragrance use, class 3; medical use, class 5; food flavouring, class 30.
Applications filed before a change keep the classes they were filed in.
Questions
How many trademark classes are there?
There are 45: classes 1 to 34 cover goods and classes 35 to 45 cover services. The U.S. and almost every other country use the same international (Nice) list.
How do I know which class my product is in?
Find the class whose description matches what the product is, not what it is made of or who buys it. For anything unclear, the free class recommender suggests classes from a plain description, and the USPTO ID Manual lists accepted wording for each class.
Do I pay for each class?
Yes. The USPTO fee is $350 per class, so an application covering three classes costs three times as much.
Can I add a class to my application later?
No. Goods or services in a class you did not include cannot be added after filing; they need a new application. You can, however, narrow or delete goods and classes.
What changed in the trademark classes in 2026?
The current edition, in force since 1 January 2026, moved spectacles, contact lenses and sunglasses from class 9 to class 10 (smart glasses stay in class 9), and now classifies essential oils by purpose: cosmetic or fragrance use in class 3, medical use in class 5, food flavouring in class 30.
General information, not legal advice. Class descriptions here are summaries; the official wording is in the USPTO ID Manual. Next: check whether your name is already trademarked in your classes.