How Much Does Trademark Registration Really Cost? Breakdown, Fees, and Common Myths

If you ask ten business owners how much a trademark costs, you will likely get ten different answers. Some will say a few hundred dollars. Others will warn you it can run into the thousands. Both answers can be correct, which is why trademark registration costs often feel confusing and unpredictable.

As per the USPTO, the base fee for a trademark application now stands at $350 per class. This is as per the 2025 fee structure, up from prior tiers like $250 for simpler filings. Along with this, extras like classes and review hiccups increase the total cost.

The reality is that trademark pricing depends on how you land and how many classes you need. It also depends on the issues that arise during the review process. Once you break the process down step by step, the costs stop being mysterious. They become manageable, planned, and easier to control.

Why Trademark Costs Are Often Misunderstood

Most people expect trademark registration to work like buying a domain name or forming an LLC. They have a misunderstanding that there is a single price, a quick approval, and no follow-up costs. This assumption becomes one of the major reasons behind the confusion.

Trademark costs usually fall into three separate categories:

• Government filing fees paid to the USPTO
• Professional or service fees for help with filing
• Long-term maintenance and renewal costs

Nowadays, many startups and small businesses choose guided services like Trademark Registration Services by Trademark Engine, which focus on clear pricing. It also helps you get step-by-step support instead of vague promises.

The Only “Official” Baseline: USPTO Fees (Not Service Pricing)

If you want the most reliable answer to “how much is a trademark,” it is better to start with the USPTO. The USPTO explains that almost all trademark fees are calculated on a per-class basis. The cost to register depends mainly on:

• How many classes of goods/services do you include
• How complete and complex the application is
• Your filing basis

Many ads blend this separation together. They make trademark registration costs look either cheaper or more expensive than they really are.

What Are You Actually Paying for When You Register a Trademark?

Many people consider trademark registration just a paperwork. But in reality, it is a legal process that is known for creating enforceable rights. Knowing what those rights include, and what they do not, helps explain the cost.

What a Trademark Protects

A federal trademark protects the brand elements customers associate with your business. These usually include:

• Your business or brand name
• Your logo or design
• A slogan or tagline
• The goods or services connected to the brand

Once registered, the trademark gives you nationwide rights within your selected business categories. It also strengthens your position if someone tries to copy or imitate your brand.

What Trademark Fees Do Not Cover

Before investing in the trademark fees, it is essential to also know what it does not cover. Trademark fees do not include guaranteed approval or automatic monitoring. It also does not provide any coverage, like lifetime protection without renewal filings. The USPTO charges fees to review your application, not to ensure success. This is why filing accurately matters more than filing cheaply.

Official USPTO Trademark Registration Costs (U.S.)

When people ask how much a trademark costs, they are usually referring to USPTO filing fees. These are the minimum costs every applicant must pay.

USPTO Filing Fees Explained: Per Class

A common question that owners usually have before and while filing for a trademark application is how much does a trademark cost at the filing stage? The USPTO states the base application filing fee is $350 per class for a Section 1 or Section 44 application if the application meets the requirements.

Quick examples:

• 1 class cost $350
• 2 classes cost $700
• 3 classes cost $1,050

The fee for a trademark is undoubtedly $350, but it only describes a common starting point, not the total or additional cost in every case.

Add-On USPTO Fees That Raise the “Total Price”

The USPTO also lists additional fees that can apply to certain applications. These are the kinds of costs that surprise people who expect one flat rate.

These add-ons push many “cheap” filings into a higher total, even before you reach examination.

Total Price of Trademarking a Brand Name in the US

Before making an investment in trademarking a brand name in the U.S., it is essential for you to be aware of the total price of it. For this, a simple math check helps.

Simple Formula With Government Fees Only

Estimated USPTO filing total = ($350 × number of classes) + add-on fees (if triggered)

These ranges vary based on complexity and the number of classes. The cost also increases when the issues arise during review.

Take a look at how this compares across plans in Trademark Engine Packages.

How Many Trademark Classes Do I Need?

Class count is one of the biggest levers in trademark registration costs. Since the base fee is per class, your total climbs in direct steps, such as one class, two classes, three classes, and so on.

How Do Classes Impact the Total Cost?

The USPTO uses classes to organize goods and services. You can include multiple classes in one application, but each class adds another base filing fee. The USPTO also notes that you can only include one trademark per application, even if you list multiple classes.

Practical Class-Selection Checklist

Use this checklist before you file:

• List what you sell today, as not everything you might sell someday
• Separate goods from services, as they often land in different classes
• Avoid buying extra classes “just in case” unless expansion is truly near-term
• Keep your goods/services description clear to reduce the chance of add-on fees

This helps you know how much it costs to register a name as a trademark, because the class count determines how many $350 units you need to pay.

Filing Yourself vs Hiring an Attorney vs Using a Filing Service

People often compare the cost of filing a trademark yourself vs hiring an attorney, and many small businesses also compare both to a filing service.

• DIY Filing
  The USPTO fees are the same either way. What changes is your level of risk that may include the wrong class strategy, unclear goods/services wording. The risk can also be due to missing details, which can trigger add-on fees or delays.

• Attorney
  For certain applicants, especially those outside the U.S., representation rules matter. But even for U.S. applicants, legal guidance may reduce avoidable mistakes, especially when the trademark is close to other trademarks or when you need a careful class plan. USPTO emphasizes complexity and completeness as cost drivers.

• Filing Service
  Choosing a service to file a trademark application is where Trademark Engine fits. For many startups, creators, and e-commerce sellers, a filing service can provide structure. It helps you get:
• Guided intake so required details aren’t missed
• Cleaner goods/services selection to reduce avoidable fees
• Optional monitoring and ongoing support after filing

Common Hidden Fees in Online Trademark Filing Services

Many owners share frustration after discovering unexpected trademark costs. These often appear after the initial checkout price.

Fees That Often Surprise Applicants

• Office action response fees
• Additional class charges
• Renewal reminders with markups
• Trademark search reports sold separately
• These costs can double what someone expected to pay

How to Avoid Unexpected Trademark Costs

To stay in control of your budget:

• Separate USPTO fees from service fees
• Choose platforms that clearly explain what is included
• Avoid pricing that looks too good to be true

Are Trademark Application Fees Refundable If the Mark Is Rejected?

The USPTO states that, generally, it doesn’t refund fees and that filing does not guarantee registration. The filing fees are not refunded when your mark is refused. You are also not provided a refund when you abandon the application.

Make sure to treat the filing fee as payment for the USPTO’s examination process. Don't treat it as a purchase of guaranteed rights. This mindset helps you budget for the possibility of office actions and amendments. It also helps you budget for a re-file if your first attempt fails.

Is Trademark Registration Worth It for Small Businesses?

For businesses built on brand recognition, trademarks are often worth the investment. They provide:

• Brand protection
• Nationwide rights
• Transferable asset value
• Stronger enforcement leverage

Learn more about how to register a Trademark for Your Small Business.

What It All Means

Trademark costs seem to be complicated, but are predictable once you understand the process. The lowest price is rarely the safest option. Along with this, mistakes can become expensive over time. Filing properly, choosing the right classes, and planning for maintenance saves money long-term. With the support of professional guided services by experts like Trademark Engine, it becomes easy for you to reduce errors without the high cost of attorneys.

FAQ's

What’s the cheapest way to trademark something?

The lowest government cost usually comes from filing in the fewest necessary classes and submitting a complete application that avoids add-on fees. The USPTO charges per class and may add fees for missing details or custom goods/services wording.

What is the average cost of trademark registration?

There is no single average because the USPTO’s fees depend on class count and whether add-on fees apply. A common baseline is $350 per class for the application, then additional costs can apply later depending on the filing path.

How much does it cost to register a name as a trademark?

A brand name uses the same USPTO fee structure as other marks. The base application fee is $350 per class if requirements are met, plus any add-on fees triggered by the application.

Can I trademark a name myself?

Many applicants file without an attorney. The trade-off is that you must choose classes and describe goods/services correctly and provide all required information to avoid delays or extra fees.

Should I trademark or LLC first? Is it better to trademark or LLC?

They solve different problems. An LLC is a business structure; a trademark protects brand identifiers used with goods or services. Many small businesses do both, but the right order depends on how soon you are using the brand in commerce and how quickly you need brand protection.