U.S. Trademark Classes: How Goods and Services Are Classified

What does a trademark class do?

A class groups broadly related products or activities. It helps the USPTO organize records, calculate filing fees, and search applications and registrations. Classification is not the same as deciding the legal scope of a mark, and two businesses can still have related goods or services even when their records use different class numbers.

The correct starting point is what customers actually buy. A physical or digital product is generally a good. An activity performed for someone else is generally a service. A business that sells products and also performs services may need entries in more than one class.

How many trademark classes are there?

The international system contains 45 classes. Classes 1–34 cover goods, including cosmetics, software, jewelry, clothing, toys, food, and beverages. Classes 35–45 cover services, including retail and advertising, finance, construction, telecommunications, transportation, education, technology, hospitality, medical services, and legal or personal services.

A class heading is only a broad orientation tool. It should not be copied as the identification in an application unless it accurately and specifically describes the applicant’s actual goods or services.

Why classes change the filing cost

The USPTO currently lists a $350 base application fee for each class. A single-class application meeting the base requirements therefore begins with one government fee, while a three-class application begins with three. Additional fees may apply when required information is missing or a custom free-form identification is used.

Adding classes simply to seek broader coverage can create unnecessary cost and proof-of-use obligations. Each listed item must be supported by the selected filing basis, and use-based filings require qualifying use for the goods or services claimed.

Use the Trademark ID Manual

The USPTO Trademark ID Manual contains pre-approved descriptions and their classifications. Search it using ordinary terms that describe what customers receive, then read the complete entry. Similar-sounding entries can differ in scope or class because the underlying product or activity is different.

If no entry accurately describes the offering, the USPTO permits a custom identification, but it must still be clear, concise, and specific. A custom description may trigger an additional per-class fee under the current fee structure.

A practical classification checklist

Classification decisions affect both the filing and the future registration record. Review the current ID Manual and fee information immediately before filing because classifications and accepted descriptions can change.

• List each product customers purchase and each service they hire the business to perform.
• Separate goods from services instead of relying on an industry label.
• Search the current ID Manual for accurate, pre-approved wording.
• Confirm that every listed item is supported by actual use or a bona fide intent to use.
• Calculate government fees by the final number of classes, not the number of individual items.