In this guide, we'll break down what trademark classes are, how they work, and how you can select the right ones with the help of Trademarkia to safeguard your brand.

Trademark classes — what are they, and how do they work?

Trademark classes are categories established by the USPTO to organize and classify goods and services associated with trademarks.

There are 45 classes in total—34 for goods and 11 for services.

Each class groups related items together, making it easier to search for existing trademarks and determine the scope of protection your trademark will receive.

For example, Class 25 covers clothing, footwear, and headgear, while Class 35 includes advertising and business services.

When you apply for a trademark, you must specify the classes that best represent the goods or services your mark will cover.

This helps define the legal protection your trademark will receive, as your rights are limited to the classes in which your mark is registered.

Selecting the right classes is critical to ensuring comprehensive protection and avoiding conflicts with other trademarks.

By accurately identifying and filing under the appropriate classes, you can better secure your brand and prevent unauthorized use by others in related industries.

Learn all about our different trademark services — read our detailed article “An Overview of Trademark Services.”

Understanding the 45 trademark classes

Trademark classes categorize goods and services, helping businesses protect their brand in specific industries. The USPTO defines 45 classes, divided into goods (Classes 1-34) and services (Classes 35-45).

Here's a list of these classes:

Goods (Classes 1-34)

Industrial and Scientific Products (Classes 1-11):

Class 1: Industrial and scientific chemicals, including those for agriculture and forestry.
Class 2: Paints, varnishes, and rust preservatives.
Class 3: Cleaning and cosmetic products, such as soaps and perfumes.
Class 4: Oils, lubricants, and fuels.
Class 5: Pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, and veterinary products.
Class 6: Metal goods, including building materials and hardware.
Class 7: Machines and machine tools, motors (excluding those for land vehicles).
Class 8: Hand tools and implements like razors and cutlery.
Class 9: Scientific and electronic apparatus, including computers and audiovisual equipment.
Class 10: Medical and dental instruments, including artificial limbs and orthopedic articles.
Class 11: Appliances for lighting, heating, cooking, and refrigerating.

Consumer Goods (Classes 12-34):

Class 12: Vehicles and apparatus for land, air, or water transportation.
Class 13: Firearms, ammunition, and fireworks.
Class 14: Jewelry, precious metals, and timepieces.
Class 15: Musical instruments.
Class 16: Printed materials, stationery, and office supplies.
Class 17: Rubber, plastics, and insulating materials.
Class 18: Leather goods, such as bags, umbrellas, and saddlery.
Class 19: Building materials (non-metallic), such as bricks and cement.
Class 20: Furniture and household items made from various materials.
Class 21: Kitchen utensils, containers, and cleaning articles.
Class 22: Ropes, tents, and other textile-related products.
Class 23: Yarns and threads for textile use.
Class 24: Textiles and textile goods, including bed and table covers.
Class 25: Clothing, footwear, and headgear.
Class 26: Sewing and decorative items, including buttons and ribbons.
Class 27: Floor coverings like carpets and rugs.
Class 28: Games, toys, and sporting goods.
Class 29: Food products, including meat, fish, and dairy.
Class 30: Staple foods, such as coffee, tea, bread, and spices.
Class 31: Fresh agricultural products and live animals.
Class 32: Beverages, including soft drinks and mineral waters.
Class 33: Alcoholic beverages (excluding beers).
Class 34: Tobacco products and smokers' accessories.

Services (Classes 35-45)

Business and Financial Services (Classes 35-36):

Class 35: Business management, advertising, and office functions.
Class 36: Services related to finance, insurance, and real estate.

Construction, Transport, and Communications (Classes 37-39):

Class 37: Construction, maintenance, and installation services.
Class 38: Telecommunications services.
Class 39: Transportation, packaging, and logistics services.

Material and Educational Services (Classes 40-41):

Class 40: Treatment of materials, such as recycling or tailoring.
Class 41: Education, training, and entertainment services.

Technological, Food, and Personal Services (Classes 42-45):

Class 42: Scientific research, technological services, and software development.
Class 43: Hospitality services, including food and drink provision.
Class 44: Medical, veterinary, and beauty care services.
Class 45: Legal and security services, including personal and social services.
Try our free online trademark checker to see if your mark is eligible for registration - navigate to our homepage today and secure what’s yours.

Choose the right classes and protect your trademark with Trademarkia

Understanding the various USPTO trademark classes and their significance is essential for securing your brand's protection.

With 45 different classes that categorize goods and services, selecting the right ones is crucial to ensure your trademark fully covers your business's offerings.

Filing under the appropriate classes safeguards your brand against infringement and clarifies the scope of your trademark rights.

Choosing the right classes can be complex, but with Trademarkia and our trusted trademark attorneys, you don't have to navigate this process alone.

Our platform simplifies the selection process, guiding you to accurately identify and file under the relevant classes.

Whether you're launching a new product, expanding your service line, or simply protecting your existing brand, Trademarkia is here to help.

Trust us to ensure that your trademark application is thorough, strategic, and tailored to effectively protect your brand.

FAQs

What are the 5 categories of trademarks?

The five categories of trademarks are generic, descriptive, suggestive, arbitrary, and fanciful. In terms of legal protection, they range from weakest (generic) to strongest (fanciful).

What is the strongest trademark classification?

The strongest trademark classification is "fanciful." These are made-up words or symbols that have no connection to the products or services, offering the highest level of protection.

What is the weakest trademark?

The weakest trademarks are "generic" terms, which directly describe the product or service and cannot be trademarked because they fail to distinguish the source.

What are the 3 most common trademarks?

The three most common types of trademarks are word marks, design marks (logos), and composite marks (a combination of words and design elements).

What is the difference between R and TM for a trademark?

The "®" symbol denotes a registered trademark with the USPTO, offering legal protection, while "TM" indicates a claim of trademark rights, even if the mark is not registered.

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Joshua Julien Brouard

AUTHOR

Based in our Pretoria office, Joshua is a digital content manager at Trademarkia and has extensive experience writing on legal subjects. He has a bachelor of commerce in law, as well as several marketing certifications. He is also soon to complete his postgraduate in marketing management. In his free time, Joshua loves traveling with his many rescue dogs.