diff --git a/cirq-core/cirq/__init__.py b/cirq-core/cirq/__init__.py
index 5b5491aae12..d68fc645b25 100644
--- a/cirq-core/cirq/__init__.py
+++ b/cirq-core/cirq/__init__.py
@@ -236,6 +236,7 @@
     LinearCombinationOfOperations,
     MatrixGate,
     MixedUnitaryChannel,
+    M,
     measure,
     measure_each,
     measure_paulistring_terms,
@@ -284,6 +285,7 @@
     QubitOrder,
     QubitOrderOrList,
     QubitPermutationGate,
+    R,
     reset,
     reset_each,
     ResetChannel,
diff --git a/cirq-core/cirq/ops/__init__.py b/cirq-core/cirq/ops/__init__.py
index e11f67bbf15..516ebbbb505 100644
--- a/cirq-core/cirq/ops/__init__.py
+++ b/cirq-core/cirq/ops/__init__.py
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@
     phase_flip,
     PhaseDampingChannel,
     PhaseFlipChannel,
+    R,
     reset,
     reset_each,
     ResetChannel,
@@ -126,6 +127,7 @@
 from cirq.ops.matrix_gates import MatrixGate
 
 from cirq.ops.measure_util import (
+    M,
     measure,
     measure_each,
     measure_paulistring_terms,
diff --git a/cirq-core/cirq/ops/common_channels.py b/cirq-core/cirq/ops/common_channels.py
index 5d78d183f77..7867b7e6cfa 100644
--- a/cirq-core/cirq/ops/common_channels.py
+++ b/cirq-core/cirq/ops/common_channels.py
@@ -775,10 +775,16 @@ def _json_dict_(self) -> Dict[str, Any]:
 
 
 def reset(qubit: 'cirq.Qid') -> raw_types.Operation:
-    """Returns a `cirq.ResetChannel` on the given qubit."""
+    """Returns a `cirq.ResetChannel` on the given qubit.
+
+    This can also be used with the alias `cirq.R`.
+    """
     return ResetChannel(qubit.dimension).on(qubit)
 
 
+R = reset
+
+
 def reset_each(*qubits: 'cirq.Qid') -> List[raw_types.Operation]:
     """Returns a list of `cirq.ResetChannel` instances on the given qubits."""
     return [ResetChannel(q.dimension).on(q) for q in qubits]
diff --git a/cirq-core/cirq/ops/measure_util.py b/cirq-core/cirq/ops/measure_util.py
index f9521efb98d..49cf84a812f 100644
--- a/cirq-core/cirq/ops/measure_util.py
+++ b/cirq-core/cirq/ops/measure_util.py
@@ -115,7 +115,8 @@ def measure(
 ) -> raw_types.Operation:
     """Returns a single MeasurementGate applied to all the given qubits.
 
-    The qubits are measured in the computational basis.
+    The qubits are measured in the computational basis. This can also be
+    used with the alias `cirq.M`.
 
     Args:
         *target: The qubits that the measurement gate should measure.
@@ -159,6 +160,9 @@ def measure(
     return MeasurementGate(len(targets), key, invert_mask, qid_shape, confusion_map).on(*targets)
 
 
+M = measure
+
+
 @overload
 def measure_each(
     *qubits: raw_types.Qid, key_func: Callable[[raw_types.Qid], str] = str