Trademark Filing Cost Calculator

What is a trademark filing cost?

A trademark filing cost is the money you plan to spend to apply for trademark registration. The Trademark Filing Cost Calculator estimates USPTO government fees and lets you include your own estimates for a clearance search and attorney fees.

The USPTO base application fee is $350 per class. A class groups related goods or services in your application. If your business sells different types of products or offers different services, you may need to consider more than one class. Each added class increases the base fee by $350.

Why trademark filing costs matter

Knowing the likely cost helps you plan a brand launch without overlooking fees that can apply to the application or later steps. You can compare filing costs with your marketing budget, planned product lines, and other startup expenses before you submit.

The number of classes and the way you describe your goods and services affect the total. A free-form description can trigger a surcharge, as can missing required information. An intent-to-use filing can also involve a later statement of use fee. Build these possible costs into your cash plan rather than treating the base fee as the only expense.

A federal application is for protection across the country. Texas also offers state registration, which protects a mark only in Texas. Consider which scope fits your plans, and confirm legal decisions with a qualified professional.

How to use this trademark cost calculator

1. Enter the number of classes you plan to include. The base application fee is charged per class.
2. Choose how you will describe your goods and services. Selecting from the USPTO ID Manual avoids the free-form text surcharge described here.
3. Indicate whether the required application information is included. Missing required information can add a fee.
4. Select your filing basis. If you are already using the mark, choose Section 1(a). If you intend to use it later, account for the statement of use fee once you start using the mark.
5. Enter your estimated clearance search cost and attorney fees, or enter 0 if you are not including those costs in this estimate. These amounts are your inputs, not USPTO fees.
6. Review the total and its fee breakdown. If your filing plans change, update the classes, description method, completeness response, or filing basis and compare the estimate.

Trademark filing cost example

How to read your trademark cost estimate

The base application line shows the USPTO fee multiplied by the number of classes. The USPTO fees line reflects applicable government charges in the estimate. The total also accounts for any clearance search or attorney costs you entered.

The $350 base fee is not the only possible USPTO charge. Using free-form text instead of the ID Manual adds $200 per class. Each extra 1,000 characters adds another $200 per class, and missing required information adds $100 per class. Depending on the application, these surcharges can raise the cost to $550 or more per class when you use free-form text or leave required information incomplete.

How to manage trademark filing costs

1. 01

   Use the ID Manual when it fits

   Review the USPTO ID Manual descriptions and choose wording that accurately covers your goods or services. This avoids the $200-per-class free-form text surcharge. Do not choose a description just to reduce fees if it does not fit what your business offers.

2. 02

   Prepare complete application information

   Gather the details needed for the application before filing. Checking that required information is included can help you avoid the $100-per-class missing-information surcharge.

3. 03

   Plan for each class and later fees

   List the goods and services you intend to cover and consider which classes apply. If you file based on intent to use, reserve $150 per class for the statement of use once you start using the mark.

4. 04

   Set a budget for professional help

   Enter realistic estimates for a clearance search and attorney fees so your budget reflects more than the USPTO charge. Consider asking a qualified trademark professional to review your plans.

Common trademark filing cost mistakes

• Budgeting only for the base fee

  The $350 fee applies per class. Free-form text, extra characters, or missing required information can add charges. An intent-to-use filing also has a later statement of use fee.

• Treating a search or attorney estimate as a USPTO fee

  Clearance search cost and attorney fees are amounts you enter. The calculator includes them in your estimate, but they are separate from the USPTO government fees.

• Choosing wording only to avoid a surcharge

  A lower estimate does not help if the description fails to match your goods or services. Review the available ID Manual wording carefully and consider professional guidance if you are unsure.

• Forgetting the filing basis changes later costs

  A filing based on current use does not have the statement of use fee shown for intent-to-use applications. If you choose intent to use, remember to plan for that later charge.

The trademark cost formula

Key terms

Trademark class

A category used to group goods or services in a trademark application. The USPTO charges the base application fee per class.

USPTO ID Manual

The USPTO list of descriptions for goods and services that applicants can select for an application.

Filing basis

The basis for applying to register a mark, such as already using it under Section 1(a) or intending to use it later.

Statement of use

A filing required for an intent-to-use application once you start using the mark. The fee listed here is $150 per class.