Trademark Classes: Full Guide to 45 Categories
Master the 45 USPTO trademark classes: essential categorization for goods and services to protect your brand effectively worldwide.
Trademark classes form the backbone of the international Nice Classification system adopted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), organizing all registrable goods and services into 45 distinct categories—34 for products and 11 for services. This structured approach ensures efficient trademark examination, minimizes consumer confusion, and facilitates comprehensive searches for potential conflicts.
Why Trademark Classification Matters for Brand Owners
Selecting the correct class during trademark application is crucial because it defines the scope of protection. Misclassification can result in application rejection, wasted fees, or inadequate coverage against infringers. The system allows similar marks to coexist in unrelated classes, such as “Lotus” for computers in Class 9 and chocolates in Class 30, preventing unnecessary disputes. Fees are charged per class, so precision avoids unnecessary costs.
Coordinated classes further enhance protection by linking related categories. For instance, Class 25 (clothing) coordinates with Class 14 (jewelry), Class 18 (leather goods), and Class 35 (retail services), as businesses often expand across these areas. Always search these during clearance to uncover hidden risks.
Goods Classes: Classes 1 Through 34
Classes 1-34 encompass tangible products, from raw chemicals to finished consumer items. Each class groups items by material, function, or production process for logical organization.
Chemicals and Industrial Materials (Classes 1-6)
- Class 1: Chemicals for industrial, scientific, photographic, agricultural, horticultural, forestry, or environmental uses, including fertilizers, adhesives, and unprocessed plastics.
- Class 2: Paints, varnishes, lacquers, preservatives against rust, mordants, raw natural resins, metals in foil and powder form for painters.
- Class 3: Bleaching preparations, cleaning substances, polishes, cosmetics, hair lotions, dentifrices—essential for beauty brands.
- Class 4: Industrial oils, greases, fuels, candles, wicks, and lubricants.
- Class 5: Pharmaceuticals, medical preparations, sanitary products, dietetic foods, disinfectants, herbicides—often coordinated with Class 3 for therapeutic cosmetics.
- Class 6: Common metals and alloys, metal goods not in other classes like pipes, safes, and hardware.
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Machinery, Tools, and Construction (Classes 7-12)
- Class 7: Machines, machine tools, motors, pumps, washing machines, dishwashers.
- Class 8: Hand tools, cutlery, razors, side arms.
- Class 9: Scientific, nautical, surveying, photographic, cinematographic, optical, weighing, measuring, signaling, checking, life-saving apparatus; teaching apparatus; computers, software, downloadable apps—frequently paired with Class 42.
- Class 10: Surgical, medical, dental, veterinary apparatus; orthopedic articles, prosthetics.
- Class 11: Apparatus for lighting, heating, steam generating, cooking, refrigerating, drying, ventilating, water supply, sanitary purposes.
- Class 12: Vehicles; apparatus for locomotion by land, air, or water.
Consumer Products and Textiles (Classes 13-24)
- Class 13: Firearms, ammunition, explosives.
- Class 14: Precious metals, jewelry, horological instruments—coordinated with Class 25.
- Class 15: Musical instruments.
- Class 16: Paper, cardboard, printed matter, bookbinding, photographs, stationery, adhesives, artists’ materials, typewriters, office machines.
- Class 17: Rubber, gutta-percha, gum, asbestos, mica, plastics in extruded form for use in manufacture; packing, stopping, insulating materials.
- Class 18: Leather, imitations of leather, animal skins, trunks, bags, umbrellas, parasols, walking sticks—links to Class 25 fashion.
- Class 19: Non-metallic building materials, glass, cement, asphalt, tar, pitch.
- Class 20: Furniture, mirrors, picture frames, goods of wood, cork, reed, cane, wicker, horn, bone, ivory, whalebone, shell, amber, mother-of-pearl, meerschaum, celluloid, or plastics.
- Class 21: Household utensils, kitchen utensils, combs, sponges, brushes, glassware, porcelain, earthenware.
- Class 22: Ropes, string, nets, tents, awnings, tarpaulins, sails, sacks, padding, cushioning materials.
- Class 23: Yarns and threads for textile use.
- Class 24: Textiles, bed covers, table covers.
Apparel, Food, and Miscellaneous Goods (Classes 25-34)
- Class 25: Clothing, footwear, headgear—a high-conflict class due to broad consumer use.
- Class 26: Lace, embroidery, ribbons, braid, buttons, hooks, eyes, pins, needles, artificial flowers.
- Class 27: Carpets, rugs, mats, linoleum, wall hangings.
- Class 28: Games, toys, playthings, gymnastic sporting articles, decorations for Christmas trees.
- Class 29: Meat, fish, poultry, game, meat extracts, preserved, dried, cooked fruits and vegetables, jellies, jams, eggs, milk, milk products.
- Class 30: Coffee, tea, cocoa, sugar, rice, tapioca, sago, artificial coffee, flour, preparations made from cereals, bread, pastry, confectionery, ices, honey, treacle, yeast, baking-powder, salt, mustard, vinegar, sauces, spices, ice.
- Class 31: Agricultural, horticultural, forestry products, grains not in other classes, live animals, fresh fruits, vegetables, seeds, natural plants, flowers, foodstuffs for animals, malt.
- Class 32: Beers, mineral waters, non-alcoholic drinks, fruit drinks, juices, syrups, preparations for making beverages.
- Class 33: Alcoholic beverages except beers.
- Class 34: Tobacco, smokers’ articles, matches.
Services Classes: Classes 35 Through 45
Classes 35-45 cover intangible services, focusing on business operations, personal care, and professional expertise. These are vital for service-based enterprises like consultancies or hospitality firms.
- Class 35: Advertising, business management, administration, office functions, retail services—often coordinated with goods classes like 25.
- Class 36: Insurance, financial affairs, monetary affairs, real estate.
- Class 37: Building construction, repair, installation services.
- Class 38: Telecommunications.
- Class 39: Transport, packaging, storage of goods, travel arrangement.
- Class 40: Treatment of materials.
- Class 41: Education, training, entertainment, sporting, cultural activities—coordinated with Class 9 for educational software.
- Class 42: Scientific, technological services, research, design, industrial analysis, quality control, computer hardware/software development.
- Class 43: Services for providing food, drink, temporary accommodation.
- Class 44: Medical services, veterinary services, hygienic care, beauty care for humans/animals, agriculture, horticulture, forestry.
- Class 45: Legal services, security for personal/property protection, personal/social services.
Strategies for Selecting and Searching Trademark Classes
Use the USPTO’s Trademark ID Manual for precise descriptions, such as “downloadable mobile applications for e-commerce” in Class 9. Conduct searches via TESS, including coordinated classes to avoid surprises. Businesses with diverse offerings, like apparel makers selling via retail, must file in multiple classes.
| Common Multi-Class Example | Classes Involved | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Fashion Brand | 25, 18, 14, 35 | Clothing, bags, jewelry, retail services |
| Software Company | 9, 42, 41 | Apps, development, training |
| Beauty Products | 3, 5, 44 | Cosmetics, pharma, salon services |
Potential Pitfalls and Best Practices
Avoid overly broad descriptions to prevent office actions; be specific yet comprehensive. Same-class similar marks risk refusal if goods overlap and confuse consumers. International filings under Madrid Protocol align with Nice classes for global consistency. Consult professionals for complex portfolios to maximize enforceability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total number of trademark classes?
There are 45 classes: 34 for goods (1-34) and 11 for services (35-45), per the Nice Classification used by USPTO.
Can a single trademark cover multiple classes?
Yes, file in each relevant class with additional fees; common for diversified brands.
How do I find coordinated classes?
USPTO lists them for key classes like 25; search to identify related goods/services consumers associate.
What if my product fits multiple classes?
Select based on primary function per USPTO ID Manual; register multiples for full protection.
Are classes the same internationally?
Yes, Nice Classification standardizes 45 classes globally, easing Madrid filings.
References
- Trademark Classes Defined by Law — Justia. 2023. https://www.justia.com/intellectual-property/trademarks/trademark-classes/
- Trademark Classes Explained: Ultimate Guide — Indie Law. 2024. https://www.indielaw.com/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-trademark-classes-and-trademark-class-descriptions/
- Trademark Classes Explained: 45 Classes of Goods & Services — UpCounsel. 2024. https://www.upcounsel.com/trademark-classes
- Trademark Classes: Which One Fits the Mark You Want to Register? — Nolo. 2023. https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/trademark-classes.html
- Using coordinated classes in your federal trademark search — USPTO (uspto.gov). 2025-01-15. https://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/search/using-coordinated-classes-your-federal-trademark-search
- Trademark Classes | US USPTO International TM Classes — Mandour Law. 2024. https://www.mandourlaw.com/trademark-classes/
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