When you apply for a trademark with the USPTO, you don’t just register your name or logo — you register it within one or more specific trademark classes. These classes define exactly what goods or services your trademark protects.
There are 45 trademark classes in total: Classes 1–34 cover physical goods, and Classes 35–45 cover services. Every trademark application must identify at least one class, and you pay a separate filing fee for each one you include.
Not sure which class applies to your business? This guide covers all 45 classes in plain English — plus links to deeper guides for the classes most relevant to small businesses and startups.
Class | Category | What It Covers |
Chemicals | Industrial chemicals, fertilizers, adhesives, photographic chemicals | |
Paints & Coatings | Paints, varnishes, lacquers, rust-prevention products, dyes | |
Cosmetics & Cleaning | Cosmetics, perfumes, cleaning preparations, personal care products | |
Lubricants & Fuels | Industrial oils, fuels, candles, lighting products | |
Pharmaceuticals | Medications, supplements, vitamins, sanitary preparations | |
Metal Goods | Common metals, metal building materials, hardware | |
Machinery | Machines, machine parts, power tools, motors | |
Hand Tools | Cutlery, hand tools, razors, manicure implements | |
Electronics & Software | Software, apps, electronics, computers, scientific instruments | |
Medical Devices | Medical and surgical equipment, orthopedic articles, prosthetics | |
Lighting & Heating | Lighting, heating, cooking, refrigeration, sanitation apparatus | |
Vehicles | Cars, motorcycles, bicycles, watercraft, aircraft | |
Firearms | Firearms, ammunition, explosives, fireworks | |
Jewelry | Jewelry, watches, precious metals, gemstones | |
Musical Instruments | Musical instruments and accessories | |
Paper & Printed Goods | Paper products, printed materials, office supplies, books | |
Rubber & Plastic | Rubber, plastic, insulating materials, flexible pipes | |
Leather Goods | Bags, luggage, leather goods, umbrellas, wallets | |
Building Materials | Non-metal building materials, rigid pipes, asphalt, tiles | |
Furniture | Furniture, mirrors, frames, containers, home décor items | |
Household Goods | Kitchenware, glassware, cleaning tools, household utensils | |
Ropes & Fibers | Ropes, string, nets, canvas, raw textile fibers | |
Yarns & Threads | Yarns and threads for textile use | |
Textiles & Fabrics | Textiles, fabric, bed and table covers | |
Clothing | Clothing, footwear, headwear | |
Lace & Embroidery | Lace, embroidery, ribbons, buttons, sewing notions | |
Floor Coverings | Carpets, rugs, mats, linoleum, wallpaper | |
Toys & Games | Games, toys, sporting goods, amusement articles | |
Meats & Processed Foods | Meat, fish, dairy, preserved fruits and vegetables, oils | |
Staple Foods | Coffee, tea, flour, bread, pasta, condiments, spices | |
Agricultural Products | Fresh fruits, vegetables, live animals, natural plants, seeds | |
Light Beverages | Beer, non-alcoholic beverages, fruit drinks, sodas | |
Wines & Spirits | Alcoholic beverages (except beer) | |
Tobacco | Tobacco products, smokers’ articles, e-cigarettes |
Class | Category | What It Covers |
Business & Retail | Advertising, business management, retail store services, marketing | |
Financial Services | Insurance, financial services, banking, real estate | |
Construction & Repair | Building construction, installation, repair services | |
Telecommunications | Telecommunications, broadcasting, internet services | |
Transportation | Transportation, travel agency, storage, packaging services | |
Material Treatment | Manufacturing services, custom fabrication, material processing | |
Education & Entertainment | Education, training, entertainment, sports, publishing | |
Technology & Science | IT services, software development, scientific research, design | |
Food & Hospitality | Restaurants, catering, hotels, temporary accommodations | |
Medical & Beauty Services | Healthcare, veterinary, beauty, agriculture services | |
Legal & Security | Legal services, security, personal social services |
Industrial and scientific chemicals, including adhesives, fertilizers, photographic chemicals, fire extinguisher compounds, and raw plastics. This class is primarily relevant to manufacturers and industrial product brands.
Paints, varnishes, lacquers, stains, wood preservatives, dyes, and rust-prevention coatings. Relevant for paint brands, hardware companies, and coatings manufacturers.
Cosmetics, skincare, perfumes, essential oils, soaps, shampoos, hair care products, and cleaning preparations for personal use.
Industrial oils, greases, fuels, candles, wicks, and lamp oils. This class covers energy products, lubricants for machinery, and combustible items.
Prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, dietary supplements, vitamins, herbal preparations, sanitary products, and pest control substances.
Common metals and alloys, metal building materials, metal hardware, locks, safes, pipes, and metal containers. Relevant for construction brands and industrial manufacturers.
Machines and machine tools, motors, engines, agricultural implements, incubators for eggs, and 3D printers. Relevant for manufacturing and industrial equipment brands.
Cutlery, forks, spoons, razors, hand tools, manicure and pedicure tools. Includes kitchen knives, utility knives, scissors, and similar manual implements.
Computer software, mobile apps, downloadable digital content, computers, electronics, cameras, navigational instruments, audio/video equipment, and safety gear.
Medical and surgical equipment, orthopedic items, prosthetics, dental equipment, and therapeutic devices.
Lighting apparatus, heating units, cooking appliances, refrigerating equipment, air conditioning, water supply, and sanitation apparatus. Relevant for appliance and HVAC brands.
Land vehicles, automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles, boats, aircraft, and their parts and fittings.
Firearms, ammunition, explosives, fireworks, and pyrotechnic products. A narrowly defined class relevant to manufacturers in the firearms and defense industries.
Precious metals, jewelry, gemstones, clocks, watches, and jewelry boxes. Relevant for fine jewelry, fashion jewelry, and watch brands.
All categories of musical instruments, including acoustic and electronic versions, plus mechanical pianos and music boxes. Relevant for instrument manufacturers and music equipment brands.
Paper, cardboard, printed matter, books, magazines, stationery, office supplies, instructional materials, and photographs.
Rubber, gutta-percha, plastic in semi-manufactured form, packing and insulating materials, and flexible non-metal pipes. Relevant for industrial materials manufacturers.
Leather, imitation leather, handbags, backpacks, luggage, wallets, umbrellas, and walking sticks.
Non-metal building and construction materials, rigid pipes for building, asphalt, pitch, bitumen, and transportable buildings.
Furniture, mirrors, picture frames, containers (non-metal), and decorative articles for indoor use including home décor and housewares.
Cookware, kitchen utensils, glassware, porcelain, cleaning tools, combs, brushes, and non-electric household or kitchen appliances.
Ropes, twine, string, nets, tents, tarpaulins, sails, sacks, padding materials, and raw textile fibers. Relevant for outdoor, industrial, and textile supply brands.
Yarns and threads for textile use. A narrow class specifically for fiber manufacturers and textile production suppliers.
Textiles, fabric, bed covers, table covers, and textile goods. Distinct from Class 25, which covers finished clothing — Class 24 covers the fabric itself.
Clothing of all types, footwear, and headwear. One of the most commonly filed classes for fashion, streetwear, athletic, and lifestyle brands.
Lace, embroidery, ribbons, braid, buttons, hooks and eyes, pins, needles, and sewing notions. Relevant for textile accessories, craft, and notions brands.
Carpets, rugs, mats, linoleum, wallpaper, and wall hangings (non-textile). Relevant for home furnishing, flooring, and interior décor brands.
Games, toys, video game equipment, board games, playing cards, gymnastics equipment, and sporting goods.
Meat, poultry, fish, seafood, dairy products, preserved and cooked fruits and vegetables, and edible oils and fats.
Coffee, tea, cocoa, sugar, rice, flour, bread, pasta, sauces, condiments, spices, honey, and baking products.
Fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, live animals, plants, seeds, natural flowers, and animal feed. Relevant for farms, nurseries, and fresh food brands.
Beer, ales, non-alcoholic beverages, fruit drinks, sodas, mineral water, and energy drinks.
Alcoholic beverages except beer, including wine, spirits, liqueurs, and cider.
Tobacco, cigars, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vaping products, pipe tobacco, and smokers’ articles including lighters and matches.
Business management, advertising, marketing, retail store services, business administration, and office functions. One of the most commonly filed service classes for restaurateurs, entrepreneurs, and small business owners.
Insurance, financial services, banking, credit, investment, real estate services, and monetary affairs.
Building construction, installation, repair, maintenance services, and cleaning services.
Telephone, internet, cable, satellite, and broadcasting services. Relevant for telecom, media, and internet service brands.
Transportation services, travel agencies, warehousing, packaging, and distribution services.
Custom manufacturing, material processing, printing, water treatment, and recycling services.
Educational services, training, coaching, tutoring, entertainment, live events, sports, gaming, and publishing.
Software development, IT services, cloud computing, cybersecurity, scientific research, industrial design, and technical consulting.
Restaurant, café, catering, bar, and hotel services, as well as temporary accommodations.
Human healthcare, veterinary services, beauty salons, spas, and agricultural/horticultural services.
Legal services, security services, personal social services, and services to meet the needs of individuals, including online social networking platform services.
Selecting the wrong class is one of the most common — and costly — trademark mistakes. Here’s a simple process:
How many trademark classes are there? There are 45 trademark classes, governed by the Nice Classification system — an international standard used by the USPTO and trademark offices in most countries around the world.
Do I need to register in every class? No. You only register in the class (or classes) that cover the specific goods or services your trademark is used with.
What happens if I file in the wrong class? Your application may be refused, or your registration may not protect you in the industry where you actually operate. This is why a thorough trademark search and careful identification of goods and services matters so much before you file.
Can I add classes after filing? No — you cannot add new classes to an existing application. If you expand your business into a new category, you’ll need to file a new application covering that class.
What does it cost to file in multiple classes? The USPTO charges a separate filing fee per class. As of January 18, 2025, TEAS Plus and TEAS Standard were retired and replaced with a single base application fee of $350 per class — as long as you use standard descriptions from the USPTO ID Manual and your application is complete. Additional fees may apply for custom descriptions or incomplete filings. See our full breakdown of trademark costs.
Are US trademark classes the same internationally? Yes — the US uses the Nice Classification system, which is the same international standard used by most countries. However, some countries handle class groupings and descriptions differently. Learn more about international trademarks.
TradeMark Express provides comprehensive trademark research and application preparation assistance. We are not a law firm. If you have questions about trademark strategy or legal issues, we can refer you to a trademark attorney in our network.
The information provided on this site is for general informational purposes only. All information on the Site is provided in good faith; however, we make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, validity, or completeness of any information on the Site. The Site cannot and does not contain legal advice. The legal information is provided for general informational and educational purposes only, and is not a substitute for legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney for legal advice.
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