In the United States, the USPTO organizes goods and services into 45 trademark classes (Nice Classification). When you apply to register a mark, you must select the class(es) that match what you sell or provide. Each additional class typically increases the filing fee, so choosing classes is both a legal and budgeting decision.
| Option | USPTO filing fee (per class) | Flexibility in describing goods/services | Typical best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| TEAS Plus | $250 | Lower flexibility; generally must use pre-approved ID wording and meet extra requirements | Applicants whose goods/services match the USPTO ID Manual and who want the lowest per-class filing fee |
| TEAS Standard | $350 | More flexible descriptions (still must be acceptable to the USPTO) | Applicants needing custom wording or more room to describe goods/services |
The total filing fee is calculated by multiplying the number of classes by the fee per class for the filing option you choose.
Formula: Total fee = n × c
Suppose you’re filing in 2 classes:
The calculator’s result is an estimated USPTO filing-fee total based solely on your selected class count and TEAS option. If you increase the number of classes, the total increases proportionally. If you switch from TEAS Standard to TEAS Plus, the total decreases—but only if you can comply with TEAS Plus requirements (especially acceptable, standardized identifications of goods/services).
Even if you budget for the filing fee, total project cost can increase depending on your situation. Common additional expenses include professional clearance searches, attorney time, and any USPTO Office Action responses. If you plan to expand internationally, each country has its own fee structure and may require local counsel or translations.