Trademark Classes Explained: All 45 Nice Classes and How to Pick Yours

When filing a trademark with the USPTO, you'll encounter the Nice Classification system—a standardized way to organize trademarks into 45 classes based on the goods or services you protect. Choosing the right classes is non-negotiable: the wrong selection narrows your protection, costs more money to fix later, and leaves your brand vulnerable to competitors filing in adjacent categories. This guide covers all 45 Nice classes, how to pick yours, and why monitoring should extend beyond your primary classes.

TL;DR

The 45 Nice classes divide trademarks into 34 goods classes (1–34) and 11 services classes (35–45).
Each trademark filing covers specific classes you select; filing in multiple classes costs ~$250–$350 per additional class with the USPTO.
Don't assume competitors respect your class boundaries—monitor adjacent classes where confusingly similar marks could register.
A multi-class strategy (typically 2–4 related classes) is standard for established brands; startups often start with 1–2 and expand.
Use the scannable class table below as a reference when drafting your application or monitoring competitive threats.

What Are the 45 Nice Classes?

The Nice Agreement established a standardized classification system for trademarks adopted globally (USPTO, EU, WIPO, and 100+ countries). Classes 1–34 cover physical goods (raw materials, machinery, clothing, food, etc.); classes 35–45 cover services (retail, advertising, education, legal services, etc.). Each class bundles related products or services, so a filing protects your mark within those categories but not others—a Apple trademark in Class 9 (computers) doesn't automatically protect Apple in Class 30 (food).

How Many Trademark Classes Do I Need?

The number of classes depends on the scope of your brand. A single-product startup might file in one class; a multi-category brand or conglomerate might file in 5+ classes. The cost-benefit: each additional class costs $250–$350 in USPTO fees (as of 2026), plus attorney fees if applicable. Filing in classes you don't currently use but plan to expand into is common defensive practice—it's cheaper to file upfront than to refile after two years when your product line evolves.

Typical multi-class strategies:

Startup (1 category): 1 class (~$300 total with attorney)
Growing brand (2–3 related categories): 2–4 classes (~$600–$1,200)
Mature brand (multiple product lines): 5+ classes (~$1,500+)

Complete Reference: All 45 Nice Classes

Class	Category	Description	Common Examples
1	Goods	Chemicals, not for food/drink; unprocessed/semi-processed materials	Fertilizers, lubricants, industrial solvents, test paper
2	Goods	Paints, varnishes, dyes, natural resins; colorants	Paint, wood stain, toner cartridges, dyes for textiles
3	Goods	Cosmetics, toiletries, cleaning products (non-industrial)	Shampoo, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, furniture polish
4	Goods	Industrial oils, waxes, combustible fuels, candles	Motor oil, beeswax, coal, candles, hydraulic fluids
5	Goods	Pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, veterinary products, pesticides	Vitamins, bandages, veterinary drugs, insecticide
6	Goods	Metals (unwrought, semi-wrought), hardware, metal fasteners	Copper sheets, nails, bolts, aluminum pipe, hinges
7	Goods	Machinery, mechanical engines, motors (non-land vehicle)	Industrial motors, pumps, drilling equipment, power tools
8	Goods	Hand tools and implements (manual operation)	Scissors, hammers, wrenches, pliers, hand-held drills
9	Goods	Computing devices, software, electronics, optical media, navigation	Computers, smartphones, apps, LED displays, USB drives
10	Goods	Medical/surgical instruments, dental equipment, orthopedic devices	Stethoscopes, dental drills, wheelchairs, hearing aids
11	Goods	Lighting, heating, cooking, water supply, sanitary appliances	Light bulbs, ovens, radiators, water heaters, toilets
12	Goods	Vehicles and parts (land, water, air; excluding railroads)	Cars, motorcycles, aircraft, bicycles, boat engines
13	Goods	Firearms, ammunition, pyrotechnic products, flares	Guns, bullets, fireworks, signal flares
14	Goods	Jewelry, precious metals, horological instruments	Watches, rings, necklaces, silverware, clocks
15	Goods	Musical instruments	Guitars, pianos, drums, synthesizers, sheet music
16	Goods	Paper, cardboard, printed publications, office supplies	Notebooks, envelopes, calendars, magazines, stickers
17	Goods	Rubber, plastic, synthetic materials, sealing/insulating materials	Rubber gaskets, plastic sheets, foam insulation, tires
18	Goods	Leather, leather goods, luggage, umbrellas, saddlery	Leather jackets, handbags, wallets, belts, travel bags
19	Goods	Marble, stone, glass, ceramic materials (raw/semi-finished)	Granite slabs, glass panes, ceramic tiles, bricks
20	Goods	Furniture, mirrors, frames, decorative items (non-metal)	Tables, chairs, picture frames, bookcases, wood cabinets
21	Goods	Household articles, cookware, glassware, utensils	Coffee makers, dinner sets, wine glasses, utensil sets
22	Goods	Textiles, rope, fabrics, non-woven textiles, canvas	Fabric bolts, rope, nets, upholstery, canvas cloth
23	Goods	Yarn and thread	Embroidery thread, sewing yarn, knitting yarn
24	Goods	Textiles, bed linens, household textiles (finished products)	Towels, bedsheets, tablecloths, curtains, pillowcases
25	Goods	Clothing, footwear, headgear	Shirts, pants, shoes, hats, jackets, socks
26	Goods	Lace, embroidery, trimmings, decorative accessories for textiles	Ribbons, lace trim, patches, decorative buttons
27	Goods	Floor coverings	Rugs, carpets, linoleum, cork tiles
28	Goods	Toys, games, sporting equipment, recreational articles	Toys, board games, fishing rods, skateboards, frisbees
29	Goods	Meat, fish, poultry, dairy, prepared foods (protein-based)	Beef, ham, cheese, milk, processed seafood, eggs
30	Goods	Grain products, baked goods, sugar, coffee, tea, spices, seasonings	Bread, cereal, coffee, honey, pasta, chocolate, salt
31	Goods	Agricultural products, seeds, fresh produce, plants, animal feed	Grain, seeds, fresh vegetables, plant seedlings, hay
32	Goods	Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (excluding milk products)	Beer, wine, soda, energy drinks, fruit juice
33	Goods	Distilled spirits, liqueurs	Whiskey, vodka, rum, gin, brandy
34	Goods	Tobacco products and tobacco substitutes	Cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, electronic cigarettes
35	Services	Advertising, business management, retail/wholesale services	Ad agencies, consulting, e-commerce platforms, marketing
36	Services	Financial services, insurance, real estate, cryptocurrency	Banks, brokers, real estate agents, insurance companies
37	Services	Construction, installation, repair, maintenance services	HVAC repair, plumbing, building contractors, IT repair
38	Services	Telecommunications, broadcasting, internet services	ISPs, cellular carriers, podcast hosting, webcam services
39	Services	Transportation, logistics, storage, delivery	Freight, taxi services, parking, warehouse services
40	Services	Material treatment, manufacturing, chemical processing	Metal fabrication, printing, water treatment, textile dyeing
41	Services	Education, training, entertainment, sports, cultural events	Online courses, tutoring, gyms, concert promotion, museums
42	Services	Technology services, software, R&D, engineering, hosting	Cloud hosting, IT consulting, software development, design
43	Services	Food/beverage provision, hospitality, catering	Restaurants, hotels, cafes, catering companies, bars
44	Services	Medical, healthcare, veterinary, beauty, agricultural services	Dentistry, therapy, salons, veterinary clinics, farming advice
45	Services	Legal services, security, social services, personal services	Law firms, security companies, matchmaking, estate planning

Why Do Trademark Classes Matter for Brand Protection?

Your trademark registration is valid only within the classes you file. A company holding "Nike" in Class 9 (electronics) cannot sue someone selling "Nike" in Class 25 (shoes) because they didn't file there. This class-based scope is both an advantage (focused protection, lower cost) and a risk: competitors exploit gaps.

Additionally, the USPTO conducts an "Examination of Likelihood of Confusion" review. An examiner will look for conflicting marks not just in your primary class but in related classes where a consumer might reasonably expect to find your brand. For example, if you file "Spark" in Class 7 (machinery), an existing "Spark" in Class 9 (software) may block your registration if the goods are related and confusion is likely—even though they're different classes.

Should I Monitor Adjacent Trademark Classes?

Yes. Brand protection doesn't end at your application's filing date. Competitors regularly file marks in adjacent or loosely related classes to dilute or piggyback on established brands. This is why trademark monitoring should extend 1–2 classes beyond your primary filings.

Example: You own "BrightPath" in Class 42 (software development). Six months later, someone files "BrightPath+" in Class 35 (business consulting). While different services, a consumer might confuse them. A proactive new-filer monitor catches this filing within days, giving you time to oppose before it registers.

Adjacent classes to monitor: List the 1–2 classes closest to your primary classes and set up automated alerts.

What's the Cost of Filing in Multiple Trademark Classes?

As of June 2026, USPTO trademark filing fees are:

Initial fee: ~$250–$350 per class (for standard applications with 1 class)
Each additional class: +$100–$150 per class (TEAS Plus or standard)
Total for 3 classes: ~$500–$750 (before attorney fees)

If you hire a trademark attorney (recommended), expect:

Single class: $500–$1,500 total (filing + prosecution)
Multi-class (3–5 classes): $1,000–$3,000 total

Cost-saving tip: File in all classes you need upfront. Amending or filing subsequent classes after your primary registration costs more per class.

How to Pick the Right Classes for Your Brand

List your products/services in detail (e.g., "we sell smart home software and consulting services").
Map to Nice classes using the table above or the WIPO classification guide.
Check for conflicts with USPTO TESS before filing—see our guide on how to search the USPTO trademark database.
File for current AND planned expansion (if budget allows). Adding a class later is more expensive.
Set up monitoring in your primary classes and adjacent categories using a trademark monitor like TrademarkSignal.

Internal Monitoring: Why TrademarkSignal Watches Adjacent Classes

When you file a trademark, you're not done protecting your brand. TrademarkSignal's automated monitoring watches the USPTO daily for new filings that conflict with yours—including adjacent classes and partial matches. You'll get an alert within 24 hours of a potentially conflicting registration, giving you time to file an opposition if needed.

For brands operating across multiple categories (e.g., a software company with consumer apps and enterprise solutions), monitoring adjacent classes is essential. A competitor's filing in a related class might not block yours legally but could dilute your brand equity or create customer confusion.

Legal Disclaimer

This article is informational only and does not constitute legal advice. Trademark class selection and protection strategies vary by jurisdiction and business context. The Nice Classification and USPTO procedures described are based on publicly available data current to June 2026; always verify against the official WIPO Nice Classification guide and USPTO guidance before filing. Consult a qualified trademark attorney before submitting your application.

Start Protecting Your Brand Today

Knowing your trademark classes is the first step; monitoring them is the second. TrademarkSignal automates daily brand monitoring across all USPTO filings. Get instant alerts when someone attempts to register a conflicting mark in your classes—or adjacent ones you should know about.