Choose the Right Trademark Class
Written by Law on Call Staff | Reviewed by Andrew Olmsted, Esq.|Last Updated September 29, 2026
While trademarks distinguish and protect brands, trademark classes define the goods or services a trademark covers. Choosing the right class protects your mark from competitors.
But what is a trademark class, how many are there, and how do you choose the right one? Let’s break it down.
main takeaways
- Trademark classes define exactly what kind of goods/services a brand is protected under.
- When applying for a trademark, be sure to choose classes that match what your business sells or does.
- A trademark can be registered in more than one class, but that means higher costs.
What Is a Trademark Class?
A trademark class identifies the types of goods or services that a brand is protecting.
Imagine you start a lawn-care company called called Lawn & Order. As it grows, that name ends up on trucks, uniforms, and social ads. Whether you realize it or not, you’ve built a brand. To stop others from using it at the national level, you’ll trademark it, and when you apply, you’ll need to pick a class that matches what your business does.
Lawn care generally falls under Class 44, which covers services like mowing and lawn maintenance. If you also install sprinkler systems, you may also need Class 37, which covers installation and repair services.
How Trademark Classes Work
Trademark classes group similar goods and services together. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has assigned 45 trademark classes, covering everything from clothing and food to software and business services.
Classes are relatively broad, though the goods/services you identify are specific. When you apply for a trademark, you choose the class that best matches what your business offers. Some businesses may need to register in more than one class.
Choosing the Right Trademark Class
Trademark protection is tied to the goods or services listed in your application. Choosing the right class helps make sure your trademark covers what your business actually does. It can also help prevent confusion with businesses using similar names in the same or related industries.
The best way to find the right fit is to search the USPTO’s Trademark ID Manual for terms that match your goods or services. It’ll tell you the most likely classes your goods/services fall within.
Can I Trademark My Business Name Without a Class?
No. A trademark protects your name in connection with specific goods or services. You need to identify those goods or services when you apply.
Can You Add a Trademark Class Later?
Yes, but you generally need to file a new application for the additional goods or services rather than simply adding them to your existing registration.
Still have questions about trademarks? We have answers.
Types of Trademark Classes
The trademark system has 45 classes:
- Classes 1–34: Goods
- Classes 35–45: Services
You don’t need to know all 45 classes. What matters is choosing the class or classes that match what your business sells or provides.
For a comprehensive list, check out the USPTO’s Goods and Services page.
Common Classes for Goods
Goods are physical products that a business makes, sells, or offers under a brand name. Think of the actual products you can buy and take home, such as a pair of shoes, a can of soda, or a smartphone.
Trademark classes organize these products into categories. Here are some common examples:
Class 32: Beer, soft drinks, juices, bottled water, and other non-alcoholic beverages. Think Coca-Cola, Gatorade, and Dasani.
Class 9: Technology products, including computers, electronics, software, and downloadable apps. Apple products such as Macbooks and iPhones fall into this category.
Class 25: Clothing, footwear, and head wear. Nike shoes, Levi’s jeans, and Adidas clothing are examples.
Class 29: Meat, dairy products, processed foods, and certain preserved foods. This includes products such as Oscar Mayer meats and Kraft cheese.
Class 30: Coffee, tea, baked goods, candy, spices, and many other food products. Hershey’s chocolate, Oreo cookies, and Starbucks coffee are just a few examples.
Common Classes for Services
Services are things a business does for customers rather than physical products it sells. Think of getting a haircut, staying at a hotel, hiring a lawyer, or taking an online class.
Here are some common trademark classes for services:
Class 45: Legal, security, personal, and social services. Law on Call provides legal services, while security companies such as ADT provide security services.
Class 35: Advertising, business management, retail, and online retail services. Walmart and Amazon are examples of businesses that provide retail services. Heard of them?
Class 36: Financial, insurance, and real estate services. State Farm provides insurance services, while RE/MAX provides real estate services.
Class 42: Technology, software development, scientific services, and website-related services. Microsoft and Adobe provide software and technology services that can fall within this class.
Class 43: Restaurants, hotels, temporary accommodations, and food services. McDonald’s provides restaurant services, while Marriott provides hotel and temporary accommodation services.
Can You Have More Than One Trademark Class?
Yes. In fact, registering in multiple trademark classes is fairly common.
A coffee shop that sells bagged beans, roasts and wholesales to other businesses, and runs a mobile ordering app could file under at least three classes.
More classes mean broader protection, but higher filing and maintenance costs. Only choose classes tied to goods or services you actually use or genuinely intend to use.
Can Two Businesses Have the Same Trademark in Different Classes?
Yes. Two businesses can sometimes use the same or similar trademark if they offer completely different goods or services and consumers are unlikely to be confused.
Trademark Class Costs and Filing Fees
Trademark costs depend on the type of application you file and the number of classes you select.
For a U.S. federal trademark application filed with the USPTO, the filing fee is charged per class. The first class is included with your base application fee. Note that the exact fee can change, so it’s important to check the USPTO’s current fee schedule before filing.
If the current filing fee is $350 per class:
- 1 class = $350
- 2 classes = $700
- 3 classes = $1,050
Note: These are just the USPTO filing fees. If you hire a trademark attorney or trademark service, their fees would be additional.
Additional Trademark Costs
The trademark filing fee is not the only cost to consider. You may also pay for help from a trademark attorney or service. Other costs can include responding to USPTO office actions or making changes to your registration.
You’ll also need to account for trademark maintenance requirements after registration. When you renew your trademark, you’ll need to file the appropriate documents and pay the required fees to keep the registration active.