Trademark Class List Explained with Examples in 2026

Learn the trademark class list with simple examples. Understand all 45 trademark classes and how to choose the right one for your business or brand.

Most businesses register for a trademark without knowledge of trademark classes. This slight error would lead to rejection or very poor protection for the brand.

A trademark will not protect your name in all industries. Rather, protection relies on the trademark class list used during the application process.

It may still leave your brand vulnerable in other industries if you categorise incorrectly.

This guide describes the full trademark class list, how it works and how to select the accurate class for your enterprise.

By the time you’re finished, you’ll understand all 45 trademark classes with easy-to-follow examples.

Let’s begin with the basics.

What is a Trademark Class?

A trademark class is a category that groups goods or services into specific classifications when applying for trademark registration.

The international trademark system categorises the range of goods and services into 45 classes. Each class corresponds to a certain industry or grouping of goods and services.

This is commonly known as the Nice Classification, and many countries, including India, adhere to this.

Structure of Trademark Classes

The classification splits trademarks into two categories:

Classes 1–34: Goods
Classes 35–45: Services

It allows trademark offices to structure applications and eliminate confusion between related industries.

For example:

A clothing brand falls under Class 25
A software product belongs to Class 42
A marketing agency comes under Class 35

You have to make sure you select the correct class so that you receive the appropriate legal backup.

Why the Trademark Class List Matters

Many founders think they are safe registering their trademark everywhere. That is not true.

Trademarks only protect for the class applied for in the application.

For example:

If a company applies for and receives a brand name registration in Class 25 (Clothing), another company may still use the same name with respect to Class 30 (Food Products).

So, knowing the trademark class list allows you to:

That will protect YOUR brand the right way
Avoid rejection during trademark examination
Prevent conflicts with existing trademarks
Expand protection across multiple industries

Finding the best classes for growing businesses

Overview of the Trademark Class List (1–45)

There are 45 classes in the trademark classification system.

Below is a simple overview.

Classes for Goods (1–34)

These classes cover physical products.

Examples include:

Class	Category	Example
Class 1	Chemicals	Industrial chemicals, fertilizers
Class 2	Paints	Paints, varnishes, coatings
Class 3	Cosmetics	Perfumes, soaps, skincare products
Class 4	Oils & fuels	Industrial oils, lubricants, fuels
Class 5	Pharmaceuticals	Medicines, medical supplements
Class 6	Metal goods	Metal pipes, hardware
Class 7	Machinery	Industrial machines, motors
Class 8	Hand tools	Knives, tools, cutlery
Class 9	Electronics	Software, mobile apps, computers
Class 10	Medical devices	Surgical instruments, medical equipment
Class 11	Appliances	Lighting, heating and cooling equipment
Class 12	Vehicles	Cars, motorcycles, vehicle parts
Class 13	Firearms	Ammunition, firearms
Class 14	Jewellery	Jewellery, watches, precious stones
Class 15	Musical instruments	Guitars, pianos, drums
Class 16	Paper goods	Books, stationery, printed materials
Class 17	Rubber goods	Rubber materials, insulation products
Class 18	Leather goods	Bags, wallets, luggage
Class 19	Building materials	Cement, tiles, construction materials
Class 20	Furniture	Furniture, mattresses
Class 21	Household items	Kitchen utensils, containers
Class 22	Ropes & fibers	Ropes, nets, raw textile fibres
Class 23	Yarns & threads	Textile yarn, sewing thread
Class 24	Textiles	Fabrics, bed linen
Class 25	Clothing	Shirts, jackets, trousers
Class 26	Clothing accessories	Buttons, zippers, embroidery
Class 27	Carpets	Carpets, mats, rugs
Class 28	Toys & sports goods	Toys, sports equipment
Class 29	Dairy & meat products	Milk, butter, meat products
Class 30	Food products	Coffee, biscuits, spices
Class 31	Agricultural products	Fresh fruits, seeds, plants
Class 32	Beverages	Soft drinks, fruit juices
Class 33	Alcoholic beverages	Wine, whisky
Class 34	Tobacco products	Cigarettes, tobacco

These classes are primarily applicable to manufacturers and product brands.

Classes for Services (35–45)

These categories refer to services rather than goods.

Examples include:

Class	Category	Example
Class 35	Business services	Advertising, marketing
Class 36	Financial services	Banking, insurance
Class 37	Construction	Building services
Class 38	Telecommunications	Internet services
Class 39	Transport & logistics services	Transportation, warehousing, and courier services
Class 40	Treatment of materials	Metal treatment, recycling, and custom manufacturing
Class 41	Education	Training institutes
Class 42	Technology services	Software development
Class 43	Food services	Restaurants
Class 44	Medical services	Hospitals
Class 45	Legal services	Law firms

For service-based companies, the protection of their brand name also relies on choosing the correct class.

Important Trademark Classes with Examples

Others are more prevalent due to the fact that a lot of businesses run in these sectors.

Here are several key examples to consider.

Class 9 – Engineering and Electronics

This class covers:

Mobile applications
Electronics
Computer hardware

Example:

Class 9 could be electronic devices, computer hardware, or downloadable software used by a startup.

This class is usually applied by businesses that create technology products and electronic devices.

There are some classes that are frequently used, given that many businesses operate in these industries.

Let’s take a glance at some of the essential ones.

Class 25 – Clothing and Apparel

This class includes:

Clothing
Footwear
Headwear

Example:

The trademark for a fashion brand providing shirts, jeans and jackets should be registered under Class 25.

This class cover most apparel brands.

Class 35 – Business and Advertising Services

Services covered in this class include:

Marketing
Business management
Advertising agencies
Online retail services

Example:

A digital marketing agency would file under Class 35.

This also covers many e-commerce platforms.

Class 41 – Education and Training

This class includes:

Educational institutions
Online courses
Coaching centres
Entertainment services

Example:

An Online Learning Platform or Coaching Institute that would get registered under Class 41.

Class 42 – Technology Services

This class covers:

Software development
IT services
Research and development
Website design

Example:

A software development company or tech consultancy would file under Class 42.

How to Choose the Right Trademark Class

To choose all the classes correctly, you need to have a clear understanding of your business activity.

Follow these steps.

1: Identify Your Core Product or Service

First, find out what your business provides.

Ask yourself:

Are you selling a product or service?
What industry are you in?

2. Check the Trademark Class List

After that, compare your business activity with the official trademark class list.

This allows you to pinpoint the most relevant category.

3. Consider Multiple Classes

Certain business sectors operate in their respective industries.

For example:

An e-commerce company may require:

Class 35 for retail services
Class 42 for its mobile app

Trademark law allows multi-class applications.

4. Conduct a Trademark Search

Before filing an application, perform a trademark search to check for similar marks.

This reduces the risk of objections or legal disputes.

Common Mistakes When Choosing a Trademark Class

Many applicants are making simple errors when filing.

These are some of the most common.

Selecting the Wrong Class

If you apply with the wrong class, then your application may get rejected.

Ignoring Service Classes

service classes (like Class 35 for retail services) are often neglected by product brands.

Not Filing Multiple Classes

Companies that do business across multiple industries typically require more than one class.

The brand could be at risk if this protection is not in place.

Conclusion

Before filing a trademark application, it is important to understand the trademark class list. The system contains 45 classes which classify goods and services in various industries. Selecting the right class will help your brand get adequate legal protection.

If you’re doing business in more than one industry, you may have to register your trademark in multiple classes. Doing so can afford wider-based protection and mitigate the chances of future disputes.

A proper trademark search should always be conducted and the trademark class list reviewed before filing. This will help prevent any delays or legal issues down the road.

MY LEGAL BUSINESS LLP can help you to choose the right class & prepare your trademark filing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many classes of trademark are there?

There are total 45 trademark classes. Classes 1–34 are for goods, while classes 35–45 are for services.

What are Trademarks in Class 35?

Class 35 includes business management, advertising and marketing services. For example, this class would include many e-commerce businesses and marketing agencies.

Can a trademark be filed in more than one class?

Yes. If a business operates in different markets, it can register a trademark under multiple classes.

What are the consequences of choosing the wrong trademark class?

The rejection of your application due to wrong class selection or the extent of brand protection may be very limited. Need to know the trademark class list before filing.