How much does it cost to register a trademark?

The current electronic USPTO base application fee is $350 per class. Using free-form text instead of the Trademark ID Manual adds $200 per affected class for the first 1,000 characters; paper filing is $850 per class only in limited circumstances. Attorney, search, and international costs vary.

Do I need an attorney to file a trademark?

You are not legally required to hire an attorney for US trademark registration, but it is strongly recommended. The USPTO rejects approximately 70% of applications filed without an attorney. An attorney conducts a comprehensive search, drafts proper class specifications, and responds to office actions — significantly improving your approval odds. Attorney fees typically range from $1,000–$3,000 for preparation.

Trademark Cost Calculator — Free & Private

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Walk-through

How to Use This Calculator

4 steps

1

Enter your mark and number of classes

Type your proposed trademark name or phrase. Then select the number of Nice Classification classes that cover your goods and services. Most small businesses file in one or two classes. Each additional class multiplies the USPTO filing fee, so be precise — do not over-claim classes you do not currently use.

2

Choose your filing basis and form type

The current electronic base application fee is $350 per class. Selecting goods or services from the USPTO Trademark ID Manual avoids the $200 per-class free-form-description surcharge; using free-form text for the first 1,000 characters makes the modeled fee $550 per class.

3

Add attorney fees if applicable

Toggle whether you plan to hire a trademark attorney. Attorney fees for a straightforward single-class application typically range from $500 to $1,500, covering a preliminary clearance search, application drafting, and filing. If an Office Action is issued, attorneys typically charge an additional $200–$600 to respond. Enter your expected attorney quote or use the default estimate.

4

Review total and plan for maintenance

The calculator displays an estimated application cost and milestone fees. Section 8 is required between years 5 and 6; a combined Section 8 and Section 9 filing is required between years 9 and 10, followed by Section 9 renewals every 10 years. Missing a required filing can cancel the registration.

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Reference

Formula & Methodology

3 formulas

Total First-Year Application Cost

Total Cost = (USPTO Fee per Class × Number of Classes) + Attorney Fees + Search Fees

The current electronic base application fee is $350 per class. A free-form description adds $200 per affected class for the first 1,000 characters, and paper filing is $850 per class only in limited circumstances. Attorney and search amounts are estimates, so the calculator reports a range when an attorney is selected.

Section 8 & 15 Combined Declaration (5–6 Year Mark)

Year 5–6 Cost = ($325 × Classes) + Optional Section 15 Fee + Attorney Fee

Between years 5 and 6, a Section 8 Declaration of Use is required at $325 per class. Section 15 is optional and costs $250 per class, or $575 per class when filed with Section 8. Attorney preparation is separate and varies by matter.

Section 9 Renewal (10-Year Mark)

Year 9–10 Combined Cost = ($325 + $325) × Classes + Attorney Filing Fee

Between years 9 and 10, the required combined Section 8 and Section 9 filing is $650 per class. Later Section 9 renewals are $325 per class, with a $100 per-class grace-period fee. Missing the filing windows can cancel the registration.

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YMYL

Trust, Methodology & Sources

Written by Quinn Sumner · Updated 2026-08-11 · 2 sources

Editorial accountability

Author: Quinn Sumner - Editor

Owner: Quinn Sumner - Editorial owner

Last reviewed: 2026-08-11

Last verified: 2026-08-11

Methodology

Trademark Cost Calculator multiplies current USPTO per-class filing and maintenance fees by the modeled class count, adds user-selected search and illustrative attorney estimates, and shows an illustrative Madrid Protocol planning proxy. Verify fees with USPTO and WIPO before filing.

Assumption: Estimates rely on user-supplied inputs and published benchmarks; actual legal outcomes depend on case-specific facts and jurisdiction.

Assumption: Attorney, search, and international fees vary significantly by geography, complexity, practitioner, designated countries, currency, and filing details.

Limitations & guidance

This calculator does not constitute legal advice or predict actual case outcomes.

This calculator does not model every USPTO surcharge, deficiency fee, WIPO individual designation fee, currency change, or attorney quote.

The modeled USPTO amounts reflect the fee schedule available August 11, 2026. Madrid figures are illustrative USD planning estimates, not a filing quote. Consult a licensed trademark attorney for matters specific to your mark.

Professional guidance: Trademark Cost Calculator is for educational planning only and is not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney about your specific situation.

Primary sources

USPTO fee schedule - United States Patent and Trademark Office

Maintaining your federal registration - United States Patent and Trademark Office

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Glossary

Key Terms Explained

6 terms

Nice Classification The international system of 45 classes used to categorize goods and services for trademark registration. Classes 1–34 cover physical goods; classes 35–45 cover services. Each class you file in requires a separate USPTO fee.

Trademark ID Manual The USPTO's curated list of accepted goods and services descriptions. Selecting an entry can avoid the current $200 per-class free-form-description surcharge.

Electronic application The current electronic trademark application route. It costs $350 per class before any applicable surcharges, including the $200 per-class surcharge for using free-form text instead of the Trademark ID Manual.

Office Action A written communication from a USPTO examining attorney raising objections or requirements about a trademark application. Common grounds include likelihood of confusion with an existing mark, descriptiveness, or formality issues. Applicants typically have three months to respond (extendable to six months for a fee).

Section 8 Declaration A sworn statement filed with the USPTO between years 5 and 6 (and then every 10 years) confirming that the trademark is in continued commercial use. Failure to file results in cancellation of the registration regardless of how long the mark has been in use.

Incontestability A heightened legal status achieved by filing a Section 15 Declaration after five continuous years of post-registration use. An incontestable registration cannot be challenged on grounds of descriptiveness or prior use in most circumstances, significantly strengthening the owner's enforcement position.

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Scenarios

Real-World Examples

2 worked examples

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Sarah, solo e-commerce founder

Sarah launched a candle brand and wants to register the name in Class 4 (candles) using a Trademark ID Manual description. She plans to hire an attorney for the application but conduct her own clearance search.

Filing type Standard + ID Manual Number of classes 1 USPTO fee $350 Attorney fee (application) $750 Clearance search (DIY) $0

Sarah's modeled first-year cost is $350 plus any attorney quote. If no Office Action is issued, the mark may register on a shorter path, but timing varies. At years 5–6 she should budget $325 for Section 8, or $575 if she also files Section 15; the required combined Section 8 and Section 9 filing at years 9–10 is $650.

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Marcus, SaaS startup founder

Marcus is registering a software brand in two classes: Class 42 (software as a service) and Class 9 (downloadable software). He uses free-form descriptions because the ID Manual does not fit his services and hires an attorney who also conducts a professional clearance search.

Filing type Free-form electronic Number of classes 2 USPTO fee $700 ($350 × 2) Attorney fee (application + search) $1,800 Office Action response (estimated) $400

Marcus's total depends on his attorney and search quotes. Filing in two classes doubles the USPTO filing and maintenance fees; the current combined Section 8 and Section 9 milestone is $1,300 for two classes before attorney fees. Marcus should evaluate whether both classes are truly necessary for his current business.

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Reference

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Deep Dive

How Much Does a Trademark Cost? A Complete Guide to USPTO Fees and Attorney Costs

3 chapters · 5 min read

Registering a trademark with the USPTO protects your brand against imitators and gives you the legal presumption of ownership nationwide. But costs vary significantly depending on how many trademark classes you need, whether you hire an attorney, and how smoothly the examination process goes. This guide breaks down every component of trademark registration cost so you can plan your budget accurately.

USPTO Filing Fees: ID Manual vs. Free-Form Descriptions

The current USPTO electronic base application fee is $350 per class. Within Trademark Center, using the Trademark ID Manual avoids the $200 per-class surcharge for free-form text; the first 1,000 characters of free-form text therefore model at $550 per affected class. Additional groups of 1,000 characters can add further fees.

Paper applications are no longer accepted for ordinary filings and cost $850 per class only in limited circumstances. The calculator treats the free-form and paper options as planning estimates and does not model every possible surcharge or filing defect.

Attorney Fees and the Risk of DIY Filing

Attorney and clearance-search costs are private-market estimates, not USPTO fees. A lawyer may help select defensible identifications, assess conflicts, and respond to office actions, but no search or representation guarantees registration.

The USPTO gives applicants three months to respond to a pre-registration office action, with a six-month response available by paying the current $125 extension fee. Missing the response deadline can abandon the application and forfeit filing fees.

Long-Term Maintenance Costs You Must Budget For

A trademark registration is not a one-time expense. Between years 5 and 6, Section 8 is required at $325 per class; optional Section 15 costs $250 per class, or $575 per class when filed with Section 8. Between years 9 and 10, the required combined Section 8 and Section 9 filing is $650 per class.

Later Section 9 renewals are $325 per class, and a six-month grace period adds $100 per class. Fees can change, and attorney preparation is separate. Missing the filing windows can cancel the registration.

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Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions

How long does it take to get a trademark registered?+

Processing time varies with examination, office actions, publication, and possible opposition. Use the USPTO's current processing-time information for planning; a clearance search or attorney cannot guarantee a particular registration date.

Can I use the ® symbol before my trademark is registered?+

No. The ® symbol is reserved exclusively for federally registered trademarks. Using it before registration is granted is illegal under 15 U.S.C. § 1111 and can jeopardize your application. You may use the ™ symbol (for goods) or ℠ (for services) at any time to signal that you are claiming trademark rights, even without a federal registration.

Do I need to register in every state separately?+

A USPTO federal trademark registration gives you nationwide rights and is the recommended approach for any business operating across state lines or online. State trademark registrations are cheaper (typically $25–$100) but only protect you within that specific state. Federal registration also provides access to federal courts, the ability to use U.S. Customs to block infringing imports, and a legal presumption of nationwide ownership.

What is a trademark clearance search and is it required?+

A clearance search reviews existing federal registrations, pending applications, state registrations, and common-law uses to assess whether your proposed mark is likely to conflict with existing rights. It is not required by the USPTO but is strongly recommended. Failing to search and then filing a mark that conflicts with an existing registration can result in a refusal, wasted filing fees, and potential infringement liability. Professional searches typically cost $300–$600.

What happens if I receive a USPTO Office Action?+

An Office Action is a formal communication from the examining attorney. You generally have three months to respond, with a six-month response available by paying the current $125 extension fee. Common issues include likelihood of confusion, descriptiveness, specimens, or identification of goods. Attorney response fees vary, and failure to respond can abandon the application.

What is the difference between a trademark and a copyright or patent?+

A trademark protects brand identifiers — names, logos, and slogans that distinguish your goods and services in commerce. A copyright protects original creative works such as books, music, artwork, and software code. A patent protects inventions and functional innovations. These are separate and overlapping forms of intellectual property: a logo may be both trademarked (for the brand identity) and copyrighted (for the artistic design).

How much does it cost to renew a trademark every 10 years?+

The current USPTO electronic Section 9 Renewal Application fee is $325 per class. A six-month grace-period filing adds $100 per class. At years 9–10, the required combined Section 8 and Section 9 filing is $650 per class before any attorney fee. Confirm current amounts on the USPTO fee schedule before filing.

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