How to Search UK Trademarks: free step-by-step guide
Everything you need to search the UK trademark register, check name availability, understand Nice classes, and decide whether to file — in one place.
3 million UK marks · Exact & word match · No sign-up required
How do I check if a name is already trademarked, including sound-alikes?
Search the UK register free for exact and word matches across 3 million marks, then check the Nice class of each result, because a matching name in a different class may not be a conflict. A free search finds exact matches; to catch sound-alike and look-alike conflicts and get a green, amber or red filing verdict, a clearance report scores every conflict by sound, look and meaning from £9.99.
How to Search UK Trademarks: 5 Steps
Whether you are launching a new business, rebranding, or checking whether a competitor’s mark conflicts with yours, these five steps cover the complete process.
Enter your brand name
Type your proposed name into the search box. The free search checks 3 million UK trade marks for exact and word matches, instantly, with no sign-up.
Review exact and word matches
Results display the mark name, owner, Nice class, filing date, and current status, all in one view. Look-alike and sound-alike matching is added by the clearance report from £9.99.
Check Nice class overlap
A matching name in a different class may not be a conflict. The 45 Nice classes divide goods and services — two “Delta” marks can coexist if they cover different industries.
Look up the owner and attorney
Identify who holds the mark and which UK trademark attorney filed it. This tells you whether the owner is active and likely to oppose a similar filing.
Order a clearance report (optional)
For a complete analysis with similarity scoring, class overlap assessment, and a downloadable PDF, upgrade to a clearance report from £9.99.
When Should You Search?
Before Registering a Company
Companies House does not check the trademark register. Registering a company name does not protect it — and filing a name that is already trade marked can lead to an opposition or infringement claim.
Before Filing a Trademark Application
UK IPO filing fees start at £205 per class and are non-refundable if refused. A clearance search helps avoid wasted applications by identifying conflicts early.
When Someone Uses Your Name
If a competitor is trading under a name similar to yours, search to see what marks they hold, which classes they cover, and whether they filed before you.
Understanding Your Search Results
Each result from the UK trademark register includes key fields that help you assess conflict risk.
| Field | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Mark Name | The registered word mark or description of the figurative mark. A clearance report also surfaces phonetically similar names as conflicts. |
| Nice Class | The category of goods or services the mark covers. See all 45 classes explained. |
| Status | Registered marks are actively protected. Filed marks are pending examination. Expired or Withdrawn marks generally present lower risk but may still have residual goodwill. |
| Owner | The individual or company that holds the registration. Browse major trademark owners to understand filing patterns. |
| Filing Date | The date the application was submitted to the UK IPO. Earlier filings have priority in opposition proceedings. |
Nice Classes: A Quick Overview
The Nice Classification system, maintained by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), divides all goods and services into 45 classes. When filing, you select the classes relevant to your business — and pay per class.
Explore Notable UK Trademarks
The UK register contains marks from the world’s most recognised brands, many with fascinating histories that illustrate how trademark law works in practice.
Browse the full trademark wiki — notable brands & case studies →
Find a UK Trademark Attorney
While you can file a UK trademark yourself, professional advice significantly reduces the risk of refusal and opposition. Our directory lists 3,200+ UK trademark attorneys and agents ranked by filing volume and specialisation.
Further Reading
Is My Trade Mark Name Available in the UK?
What “available” means (identical vs similar marks, by class) and a worked example, on the search guide.
How to Register a Trademark in the UK
Complete guide to the UK IPO application process, fees, and timelines.
Company Name vs Trademark
Why Companies House registration does not protect your brand name.
UK Trademark Opposition
What happens when someone opposes your application and how to respond.
Common Filing Mistakes
Avoid the errors that lead to refused applications and wasted fees.
Free search done. But is your name actually safe to file?
A free search shows what already exists. A clearance report goes further: it scores every conflict by sound, look and meaning, checks Nice-class overlap, and returns a green/amber/red filing verdict with a downloadable PDF, from £9.99.
Where are you in the trademark journey?
Check your name is clear before you commit: sound-alikes, look-alikes and Nice-class overlap, not just exact text.
Run a clearance report →Filing isn't the finish line. Look-alike marks can be filed after yours, and you can oppose them inside the roughly two-month window.
Set up an opposition watch →A registration is only useful if you spot threats in time. Monitor the register and your classes for new conflicts.
Start Trademark Shield →Frequently Asked Questions
Can I search UK trademarks for free?
Yes. TrademarkDashboard lets you search 3 million UK trademarks for free with no sign-up required, finding exact and word matches instantly. Beyond the IPO's basic lookup, we add owner and class views, US-register search, and daily updates in one place. AI look-alike and sound-alike matching comes with clearance reports, from £9.99.
How do I check if a business name is trademarked in the UK?
Enter the name in the search box above. The free search shows identical and word matches across the register, plus the Nice class for each (a match in a different class may not be a conflict). A free search shows you what exists, but not how risky your specific name is. A clearance report scores every conflict by phonetic, visual and conceptual similarity, catching look-alike and sound-alike marks, assesses class overlap, and returns a green/amber/red filing verdict with a downloadable PDF, from £9.99.
What is the difference between the UK IPO search and TrademarkDashboard?
The IPO’s Find a trade mark is the official government lookup for exact text. TrademarkDashboard’s free search uses the same licensed register data but adds owner and class views, US-register search, and daily updates, all in one place. When you need a filing decision rather than just a list, a clearance report adds AI look-alike and sound-alike matching (phonetic, visual, conceptual), a risk score, likelihood-of-confusion analysis and a shareable PDF, from £9.99.
What are Nice classes and why do they matter?
The Nice Classification divides goods and services into 45 classes. Two identical names can coexist if they cover different classes. Checking class overlap is the single most important step after finding a matching name.
How much does it cost to register a trademark in the UK in 2026?
The UK IPO charges £205 per class online, plus £60 per additional class. Fees are non-refundable if refused. A pre-filing clearance check from £9.99 helps avoid wasted applications.
Should I use a trademark attorney?
You can file yourself, but an attorney reduces rejection risk. They identify conflicts automated searches may miss, advise on class selection, and handle opposition proceedings. Our directory lists 3,200+ UK attorneys ranked by filing volume.
Does Companies House registration protect my name?
No. Companies House and the trademark register are separate systems. A company name registration does not prevent someone else from trademarking that same name. Only a registered trademark gives you exclusive rights to use a name for specific goods and services.
How long does a UK trademark search take?
An initial search on TrademarkDashboard returns results in seconds. A comprehensive clearance search checking similar names, class overlaps, and additional registers typically takes 2–5 minutes. Professional attorney-led clearance may take several days.
See Real Example Clearance Reports Before You Pay
Not sure what you get for £9.99, £49.99 or £99.99? Create a free account and we’ll put all three example reports (Basic, Standard and Premium) straight into your dashboard, so you can read a complete report at every tier before you spend a penny.
Basic · £9.99 value
Plain-English risk verdict, top conflicting UK marks, registrability and mark-strength checks, domain scan.
Standard · £49.99 value
Full conflict table, likelihood-of-confusion analysis, AI conflict narrative, common-law signals, 3-question Attorney Brief.
Premium · £99.99 value
International coverage (EU, US, JP, AU), full Attorney Review Pack, social and domain scans, owner portfolio analysis.
Get all three example reports free
Sign up for a free account and the Basic, Standard and Premium examples appear in your dashboard instantly. No credit card required.
Data source: UK IPO register, licensed under RPSI 2015. Updated daily. Contains public sector information under the OGL v3.0. Not affiliated with the UK IPO or UK government.
See the conflicts a free search can't
A clearance report checks phonetic, visual and conceptual similarity across the full register, plus Companies House and domain availability — the checks that actually matter before you file. From £9.99.