How many international trademark classes exist?

There are 45 classes total: 34 for goods and 11 for services.

Can I register in more than one class?

Yes. Businesses often file in multiple classes to cover all goods and services they provide or plan to offer.

What happens if I file in the wrong class?

Your application may be refused or limited, and filing fees are generally non-refundable.

Do trademark classes apply worldwide?

Yes, most countries use the Nice Classification system, but local trademark offices may interpret classes differently.

How do I choose the right class?

Review WIPO’s Nice Classification list and consider both your current business and future expansion plans. An attorney can guide you in selecting the correct classes.

Understanding International Trademark Classes for Brands

Learn how international trademark classes work, why correct classification matters, and how to protect your brand across goods and services worldwide. 9 min read updated on August 22, 2025

Key Takeaways

International trademark classes (Nice Classification) divide all goods and services into 45 categories—34 for goods, 11 for services.
Filing under the correct class is critical: misclassification can lead to rejection, cancellation, or limits on protection.
Businesses often need to register in multiple classes to fully protect their brand across product lines and services.
Some classes may cover unexpected items (e.g., cosmetics and cleaning supplies share Class 3).
Classification is internationally harmonized, but each jurisdiction may apply it slightly differently.
Strategic planning helps avoid overlap, maximize protection, and reduce unnecessary costs.

Trademark International Classes: What Are They?

Trademark International Classes categorize the different ways that a trademark is used. The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) started using the International classes which are known as Nice Classifications (pronounced "niece", after the city in France for which it is named).

Some of the most common classes include:

Class 9 (Electrical and Scientific Apparatus): This includes computer software and electronics.
Class 25 (Clothing): This includes clothing, footwear, and headgear.
Class 35: (Advertising and Business Services): This includes advertising, business administration, and office functions
Class 41 (Education and Entertainment): This includes publishing, teaching, and entertainment services.
Class 42 (Computer and Scientific): This includes technology, scientific, and research services.

Why International Trademark Classes Matter

International trademark classes are more than just categories—they are the foundation of how trademark rights are granted and enforced. When a business applies for trademark protection, the scope of protection is defined by the classes chosen. This means that even if two companies have identical trademarks, they may legally coexist if they operate in different classes. For example, a clothing brand and a computer software company could use the same name without conflict because they fall under different international trademark classes.

Correct classification:

Defines legal boundaries of your trademark.
Determines enforcement rights against infringers.
Prevents wasted filing fees from errors or cancellations.
Supports brand expansion, since new classes may be added as business offerings grow.

List of International Trademark Classes

Since September 1, 1973, the USPTO has used the same standardized categories of goods and services used in most nations around the world. The Nice Agreement outlines this in the International Trademark Classification System. It's also known as the Nice Classification (NCL). This standardized system includes 45 broad categories, with 34 good categories and 11 service categories.

NCL Classes
Class No.	Type	Description of Goods
Class 1	Chemicals	Chemicals used in industry, science and photography, as well as in agriculture, horticulture and forestry Unprocessed artificial resins, unprocessed plastics Manures Fire extinguishing compositions Tempering and soldering preparations Chemical substances for preserving foodstuffs Tanning substances Adhesives used in industry
Class 2	Paints	Paints, varnishes, lacquers Preservatives against rust and against deterioration of wood Colorants Mordants Raw natural resins Metals in foil and powder form for painters, decorators, printers and artists
Class 3	Cosmetics and Cleaning Preparations	Bleaching preparations and other substances for laundry use Cleaning, polishing, scouring and abrasive preparations Soaps Perfumery, essential oils, cosmetics, hair lotions Dentifrices
Class 4	Lubricants and Fuels	Industrial oils and greases Lubricants Dust absorbing, wetting and binding compositions Fuels (including motor spirit) and illuminants Candles and wicks for lighting.
Class 5	Pharmaceuticals	Pharmaceutical and veterinary preparations Sanitary preparations for medical purposes Dietetic substances adapted for medical use, food for babies Plasters, materials for dressings Material for stopping teeth, dental wax Disinfectants Preparations for destroying vermin Fungicides, herbicides
Class 6	Metal Goods	Common metals and their alloys Metal building materials Transportable buildings of metal Materials of metal for railway tracks Non-electric cables and wires of common metal Ironmongery, small items of metal hardware Pipes and tubes of metal Safes Goods of common metal not included in other classes Ores.
Class 7	Machinery	Machines and machine tools Motors and engines (except for land vehicles) Machine coupling and transmission components (except for land vehicles) Agricultural implements other than hand-operated Incubators for eggs.
Class 8	Hand Tools	Hand tools and implements (hand-operated) Cutlery Side arms Razors
Class 9	Electrical and Scientific Apparatus	Scientific, nautical, surveying, photographic, cinematographic, optical, weighing, measuring, signaling, checking (supervision), life-saving and teaching apparatus and instruments Apparatus and instruments for conducting, switching, transforming, accumulating, regulating or controlling electricity Apparatus for recording, transmission or reproduction of sound or images Magnetic data carriers, recording discs Automatic vending machines and mechanisms for coin-operated apparatus Cash registers, calculating machines, data processing equipment and computers Fire-extinguishing apparatus
Class 10	Medical Apparatus	Surgical, medical, dental and veterinary apparatus and instruments, artificial limbs, eyes and teeth; orthopedic articles; suture materials.
Class 11	Environmental Control Apparatus	Apparatus for lighting, heating, steam generating, cooking, refrigerating, drying, ventilating, water supply and sanitary purposes.
Class 12	Vehicles	Vehicles Apparatus for locomotion by land, air or water
Class 13	Firearms	Firearms Ammunition and projectiles Explosives Fireworks
Class 14	Jewelry	Precious metals and their alloys and goods in precious metals or coated therewith, not included in other classes Jewelry, precious stones Horological and chronometric instruments
Class 15	Musical Instruments	Musical instruments.
Class 16	Paper goods and Printed Matter	Paper, cardboard and goods made from these materials, not included in other classes Printed matter Bookbinding material Photographs Stationery Adhesives for stationery or household purposes Artists' materials Paint brushes Typewriters and office requisites (except furniture) Instructional and teaching material (except apparatus) Plastic materials for packaging (not included in other classes) Printers' type Printing blocks
Class 17	Rubber Goods	Rubber, gutta-percha, gum, asbestos, mica and goods made from these materials and not included in other classes Plastics in extruded form for use in manufacture Packing, stopping and insulating materials Flexible pipes, not of metal
Class 18	Leather Goods	Leather and imitations of leather, and goods made of these materials and not included in other classes Animal skins, hides; trunks and travelling bags Umbrellas, parasols and walking sticks Whips, harness and saddlery
Class 19	Nonmetallic Building Materials	Building materials (non-metallic) Non-metallic rigid pipes for building Asphalt, pitch and bitumen Non-metallic transportable buildings Monuments, not of metal
Class 20	Furniture and Articles not Otherwise Classified	Furniture, mirrors, picture frames Goods (not included in other classes) of wood, cork, reed, cane, wicker, horn, bone, ivory, whalebone, shell, amber, mother-of-pearl, meerschaum and substitutes for all these materials, or of plastics
Class 21	Housewares and Glass	Household or kitchen utensils and containers Combs and sponges Brushes (except paint brushes) Brush-making materials Articles for cleaning purposes Steel wool Unworked or semi-worked glass (except glass used in building) Glassware, porcelain and earthenware not included in other classes
Class 22	Cordage and Fibers	Ropes, string, nets, tents, awnings, tarpaulins, sails, sacks and bags (not included in other classes) Padding and stuffing materials (except of rubber or plastics) Raw fibrous textile materials
Class 23	Yarns and Threads	Yarns and threads, for textile use
Class 24	Fabrics	Textiles and textile goods, not included in other classes Bed and table covers
Class 25	Clothing	Clothing, footwear, headgear
Class 26	Fancy Goods	Lace and embroidery, ribbons and braid Buttons, hooks and eyes, pins and needles Artificial flowers
Class 27	Floor Coverings	Carpets, rugs, mats and matting, linoleum and other materials for covering existing floors Wall hangings (non-textile)
Class 28	Toys and Sporting Goods	Games and playthings Gymnastic and sporting articles not included in other classes Decorations for Christmas trees
Class 29	Meats and Processed Foods	Meat, fish, poultry and game Meat extracts Preserved, frozen, dried and cooked fruits and vegetables Jellies, jams, compotes Eggs, milk and milk products Edible oils and fats
Class 30	Staple Foods	Coffee, tea, cocoa, sugar, rice, tapioca, sago, artificial coffee Flour and preparations made from cereals, bread, pastry and confectionery, ices Honey, treacle Yeast, baking-powder Salt, mustard Vinegar, sauces (condiments) Spices Ice
Class 31	Natural Agricultural Products	Agricultural, horticultural and forestry products and grains not included in other classes Live animals; fresh fruits and vegetables; seeds, natural plants and flowers; foodstuffs for animals, malt.
Class 32	Light Beverages	Beers Mineral and aerated waters and other non-alcoholic drinks Fruit drinks and fruit juices Syrups and other preparations for making beverages
Class 33	Wine and Spirits	Alcoholic beverages (except beers)
Class 34	Smokers' Articles	Tobacco Smokers' articles Matches

NCL Services
Class No.	Type	Description of Services
Class 35	Advertising and Business	Advertising Business management Business administration Office functions
Class 36	Insurance and Financial	Insurance Financial affairs Monetary affairs Real estate affairs
Class 37	Building Construction and Repair	Building construction Repair Installation services
Class 38	Telecommunications	Telecommunications
Class 39	Transportation and storage)	Transport Packaging and storage of goods; travel arrangement.
Class 40	Treatment of Materials	Treatment of materials
Class 41	Education and Entertainment	Education Providing of training Entertainment Sporting and cultural activities
Class 42	Computer and Scientific	Scientific and technological services and research and design relating thereto Industrial analysis and research services Design and development of computer hardware and software
Class 43	Hotels and Restaurants	Services for providing food and drink Temporary accommodation.
Class 44	Medical, Beauty & Agricultural	Medical services Veterinary services Hygienic and beauty care for human beings or animals Agriculture, horticulture and forestry services
Class 45	Personal	Legal services Security services for the protection of property and individuals Personal and social services rendered by others to meet the needs of individuals

To get a better understanding of a specific class, you can visit the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) website for a List of Goods and Services in Class Order to help you decide what class your product or service falls into. Or you can check out the USPTO Nice Agreement, which lists specific items included in and excluded from each class.

How the Classes Are Organized

The Nice Classification system is structured into two broad groups:

Classes 1–34 (Goods): Cover physical products such as chemicals, machinery, clothing, food, and beverages.
Classes 35–45 (Services): Cover business, financial, legal, hospitality, and professional services.

Each class has an explanatory note clarifying what is included or excluded. For example:

Class 3 (cosmetics and cleaning) covers both perfumes and laundry detergents.
Class 25 (clothing) covers shoes, hats, and garments, but not protective helmets (Class 9).

Businesses should carefully review explanatory notes to avoid filing under the wrong class.

Important Things to Know When Applying for Trademark International Classes

You must tell them all the classes you currently use your trademark for and ones you plan to use them for in the future.
You cannot register a trademark if you don't have a specific use in mind. You can always add more classes in the future, but you must register its use for at least one.
When registering your trademark, do not file under the wrong class. If you do, you risk your application being cancelled without getting your money back.
With only 45 classes to identify all goods and services, sometimes two unlikely products get lumped into the same class. Abrasive cleaners and cosmetics, for example, belong to the same class. But since they are marketed in different ways, the likelihood of confusion is small even if the marks are similar.

Strategies for Choosing the Right Class

Selecting the right international trademark classes requires balancing current and future business goals. Some strategies include:

Think about expansion: If you sell clothing today but plan to launch perfumes, filing in both Classes 25 and 3 protects you from conflicts later.
Cover services and goods: Many modern businesses offer both products and services. For example, a software company might file under Class 9 (software), Class 42 (technology services), and Class 35 (business consulting).
Avoid over-filing: Filing in unnecessary classes increases costs without benefit. For instance, a bakery likely does not need to file in Class 12 (vehicles).
Check competitors: Reviewing competitor filings helps ensure your brand is covered in the right categories and avoids overlaps.

Failing to plan for the right classes could limit your brand’s growth and expose you to infringement risks.

Examples: What Could Happen When You Do Use Trademark International Classes?

When you use Trademark International Classes to register your trademark, there is a chance it may be confusing. You may have to do some research to figure out which class best fits your product or service.

For example, a belt made of woven cord could under Class 22, which includes cordage and fibers, but it isn't. As it turns out, because the cord is made into clothing, it belongs in Class 25.

Similarly, if a mark represents a new of service or product, it may be difficult to decide how to categorize it because that category may not entirely exist yet.

For example, if you run an online store that delivers groceries, you will probably want to register in a variety of classes, including International Classes 29 (meats and processed foods), 35 (advertising and business), 9 (electrical and scientific apparatus), and 39 (transportation and storage).

Goods or services that are in the same class are usually considered related. By registering your mark using Trademark International Classes, you protect it within those classes. This is especially true if the use of the same or similar marks within the same class has a high possibility for customer confusion.

It's important to know that the fact that two products or services are in the same or different classes does not mean that they are legally in conflict. The international classification system has put all types of goods and services into 45 classes, combining, for example, abrasive cleansers and cosmetics. Just because they are in the same class does not mean that there is a likelihood of confusion.

Common Mistakes and Pitfalls

Many applicants encounter problems because of misclassification or incomplete coverage:

Overlapping categories: Products like sunglasses could fall under Class 9 (scientific apparatus) or Class 25 (clothing accessories). Choosing incorrectly can result in a weak registration.
Service vs. product confusion: A restaurant that also bottles sauces for sale must file in both Class 43 (restaurant services) and Class 30 (food products).
Jurisdictional variations: While the Nice system is international, some offices (like USPTO or EUIPO) may apply categories differently, requiring extra review before filing.

To avoid these pitfalls, consult the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) database or a trademark attorney to ensure accurate classification.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How many international trademark classes exist?
There are 45 classes total: 34 for goods and 11 for services.
Can I register in more than one class?
Yes. Businesses often file in multiple classes to cover all goods and services they provide or plan to offer.
What happens if I file in the wrong class?
Your application may be refused or limited, and filing fees are generally non-refundable.
Do trademark classes apply worldwide?
Yes, most countries use the Nice Classification system, but local trademark offices may interpret classes differently.
How do I choose the right class?
Review WIPO’s Nice Classification list and consider both your current business and future expansion plans. An attorney can guide you in selecting the correct classes.

We recommend allowing an experienced attorney to manage the paperwork and deadlines when registering a trademark. The process can get complicated, not to mention the extensive research needed to make sure no similar trademarks exist. Our high quality lawyers come from law schools such as Harvard Law and Yale Law and average 14 years of legal experience. USPTO fees are not refundable, so trust our experts to help you file properly the first time around. Post your legal need here to get matched with the top 5% of lawyers and save up to 60% on legal fees.