Trademark Class 25: Everything You Need to Know

Trademark Class 25 includes most types of clothing, footwear, and headgear. Class 25 is one of the 45 international classes that the USPTO uses. 10 min read

Updated October 2,2020:

Trademark Class 25: What Is It?

Trademark Class 25 includes most types of clothing, footwear, and headgear. Class 25 is one of the 45 international classes that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) uses. Each of the USPTO's 45 classes designates a specific category of goods or services.

Why Are Trademark Classes Important?

Trademarks apply to:

Business names
Slogans
Phrases
Logos
Other commercial designations

When you register a trademark, you gain exclusive rights to use the mark on commercial products and services.

Most trademarks don't grant exclusive rights to using the mark on every possible product or service. The limits of your trademark protection only apply to the types of goods and services that you indicate on your trademark application. For instance, a trademark registered by a T-shirt company might not prevent an automobile company from using a similar mark.

When you submit a trademark application, you'll need to select one or more trademark classes that apply to your business, goods, or services. You should only select classes that apply to your goods and services or those that apply to goods and services you intend to offer. Doing this ensures that both the USPTO and the general public understand how and when your trademark applies.

What Does Trademark Class 25 Include?

Trademark Class 25 includes most types of wearable items:

Headgear: bathing caps, berets, cap peaks, caps, hat frames, hats, headgear for wear, mantillas, miters, shower caps, skull caps, top hats, turbans, visors, wimples.
Clothing: aprons, ascots, babies' pants, bandanas, bath robes, bathing trunks, bathing suits, beach clothes, belts, bibs, not of paper, boas, bodices, brassieres, breeches for wear, camisoles, chasubles, clothing for gymnastics, clothing, clothing of imitations of leather, clothing of leather, coats, collar protectors, collars, combinations, corselets, corsets, cuffs, cyclists' clothing, detachable collars, dress shields, dresses, dressing gowns, ear muffs , fishing vests, footmuffs, fur stoles, furs, gabardines, garters, girdles, gloves, headbands, heelpieces for stockings, hoods, hosiery, jackets, jerseys, pinafore dresses, knitwear, layettes, leggings, leg warmers, liveries, maniples, masquerade costumes, mittens, money belts, motorists' clothing, muffs, neckties, outerclothing, overalls, overcoats, drawers, paper clothing, paper hats, parkas, pelerines, pelisses, petticoats, pocket squares, pockets for clothing, ponchos, pullovers, pajamas, ready-made linings, ready-made clothing, saris, sarongs, sashes for wear, scarves, shawls, shirt yokes, shirt fronts, shirts, short-sleeve shirts, sports jerseys, ski gloves, skirts, skorts, sleep masks, slips, sock suspenders, socks, gaiters, stocking suspenders, stockings, sweat-absorbent stockings, stuff jackets, suits, suspenders, anti-sweat underwear, sweaters, teddies, tee-shirts, tights, togas, gaiter straps, trousers, underpants, underwear, uniforms, veils, vests, waterproof clothing, wet suits for water-skiing.
Footwear: bath sandals, bath slippers, beach shoes, boot uppers, boots, boots for sports, esparto shoes or sandals, fittings of metal for footwear, football shoes, footwear, footwear uppers, galoshes, gymnastic shoes, half-boots, heelpieces for footwear, heels, inner soles, lace boots, non-slipping devices for footwear, sandals, shoes, ski boots, slippers, soles for footwear, sports shoes, studs for football boots, tips for footwear, welts for footwear, wooden shoes.

Class 25 is one of the most popular trademark classes for new applications. That means your trademark may face competition or tighter scrutiny. Other common classes include:

Class 9 (Electrical and Scientific Apparatus): This includes computer software and electronics.
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.

Common Mistakes

Selecting a Good Class Rather Than a Service Class: Choose carefully between good and service classes. For instance, T-shirts are a clothing product. However, a T-shirt printing company is a service.
Selecting the Wrong Trademark Class: The class must represent your product or service in its final version. The trademark class shouldn't reflect the product's ingredients or the way you're planning to market it. For instance, you don't need to select Class 16 (Paper Goods) and Class 25 (Clothing, Footwear, Headgear) to cover both shoes and the shoebox.
Selecting Too Many Trademark Classes: When you apply for a trademark, the trademark examiner will search for similar, preexisting marks. If your trademark description and classes are too broad, it may infringe an existing mark. In this case, the trademark examiner will reject your trademark application.
Selecting Too Few Trademark Classes: If your trademark doesn't fully cover the way you intend to use it, you could encounter serious legal issues. If another party registers a similar trademark in a different class, you may infringe another trademark.

What Are the 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

Frequently Asked Questions

How Many Trademark Classes Can I Select?

There's no limit to the number of trademark classes you can select. In general, try to strike a balance between narrow and broad definitions of your product.

Can I Add Another Class to My Trademark?

No, you can't add classes at a later date. You must include all relevant classes when you submit your application. If you need to add more, you'll have to start the application process from the beginning.

How Much Does It Cost to Register a Trademark Class 25?

Check the current USPTO trademark fee schedule. Trademark applications start at $225. You'll typically pay an extra fee for every additional class.

Steps to Register a Class 25 Trademark

1. Do a Trademark Search: Check for similar, preexisting trademarks in Class 25 using the USPTO Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS) database. You can also review the USPTO Official Gazette. It publishes new trademarks.

2. File a Trademark Application: Submit your trademark application through the USPTO Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS) and pay the appropriate filing fee. The application includes the following:

Basis for Application: Check either "use in commerce" if you already sell or market goods and services with the mark. If you plan to do so soon, check "intent to use."
Identification of the Class of Goods: Check Class 25 and any other coordinated classes.
Description of the Goods: Use a preexisting description of your goods or create a custom written description that uses language that an average person can understand. If you do the latter, be specific and provide some key examples. Use a broad term, but ensure that it's qualified and that it doesn't fall into multiple trademark classes. You can use the USPTO's ID Manual to confirm whether the term is too broad. Follow this term with a word like "namely" or "consisting of" instead of using indefinite words like "including" or "such as." Be sure to use a semicolon to separate distinct categories of goods in a single class. Don't reference trademarked terms or products made by other brands in your description, and don't include goods that you don't offer for sale. Review some registered trademarks to compare your description and ensure that you've completed it correctly.
Specimen: Include an example of how the trademark will appear. This normally includes a photograph of the stamp or stencil. For Trademark Class 25, include a clothing, footwear, or headgear label or tag.
Information About the Applicant: List your name and mailing address. If you're filing as a company, list your business name instead.
Declaration: Sign this to indicate that you've filed the application truthfully.

If you need help with registering a trademark, you can post your question or concern on UpCounsel's marketplace. UpCounsel accepts only the top 5 percent of lawyers to its site. Lawyers on UpCounsel come from law schools such as Harvard Law and Yale Law. They average 14 years of legal experience. This includes work with or on behalf of companies like Google, Menlo Ventures, and Airbnb.