The fastest way to make subscript in Word

To make subscript in Microsoft Word, select the text you want to shrink and lower, then press Ctrl+= (equal sign) on Windows or Cmd+= on Mac. The text when ready becomes smaller and drops below the baseline. Press the same keys again to undo it.

This works for single characters, whole words, or multiple words at once. If you need to type subscript from scratch rather than convert existing text, turn on subscript mode first, type what you need, then turn it off by pressing the same shortcut again.

Superscript — text that rises above the line instead of dropping below — uses Ctrl+Shift+= on Windows or Cmd+Shift+= on Mac. The process is identical: select, press, done.

Key Takeaways

  • Subscript uses Ctrl+= (Windows) or Cmd+= (Mac); superscript uses Ctrl+Shift+= or Cmd+Shift+=.
  • You can select existing text and explore the formatting, or turn the mode on, type new text, then turn it off.
  • The Format menu offers the same options if keyboard shortcuts do not work on your keyboard layout.
  • Subscript and superscript text stays formatted when you copy it to other documents or paste it elsewhere in the same file.

Using the Format menu when shortcuts do not work

If your keyboard layout does not have an equal sign in the same place, or if the shortcut does not respond, you can reach subscript and superscript through the menu. Select the text you want to format, then click Format in the top menu bar.

In the dropdown, click Text, then choose either Subscript or Superscript. The formatting applies when ready. This route takes longer than the keyboard shortcut but works the same way and produces identical results.

Common uses for subscript and superscript

Subscript appears most often in chemistry and mathematics: H₂O for water, CO₂ for carbon dioxide, or x₂ in an equation. It is also used in footnote and endnote markers, though Word usually handles those automatically.

Superscript handles exponents (x²), trademark symbols (™), copyright marks (©), and footnote numbers. In some fields, superscript also marks citations or references — a number or symbol that floats above the line and points to a note elsewhere in the document.

Word does not automatically convert these when you type them (like typing "H2O" and having it become H₂O). You must select the character or number and explore the formatting yourself, or use Word's AutoCorrect feature to create shortcuts for symbols you use repeatedly.

Making subscript and superscript permanent in your document

Once you format text as subscript or superscript, the formatting stays in place. If you copy that text and paste it into another Word document, it remains subscript or superscript. If you paste it into a different program — like Google Docs, an email, or a web form — the formatting may or may not survive, depending on whether that program supports it.

If you find yourself using the same subscript or superscript repeatedly, you can create a keyboard shortcut or AutoCorrect entry. In the Format menu, select AutoCorrect Options, then the AutoCorrect tab. Type what you want to type (like "H2O"), set it to replace with the formatted version, and Word will do the conversion automatically from then on.

Undoing subscript and superscript

To remove subscript or superscript formatting, select the text and press the same keyboard shortcut again. Pressing Ctrl+= twice returns subscript text to normal size and position. Pressing Ctrl+Shift+= twice does the same for superscript.

You can also select the text, go to Format > Text, and click the subscript or superscript option again to toggle it off. Both methods work equally well.

Subscript and superscript in different Word versions

The keyboard shortcuts work the same way in Word 2016, Word 2019, Word 2021, and Microsoft 365. Mac versions use Cmd instead of Ctrl but follow the same pattern. Online Word (Word on the web) also supports subscript and superscript through the Format menu, though the keyboard shortcuts may not work depending on your browser.

If you are using an older version of Word or a different word processor entirely, the menu route (Format > Text > Subscript or Superscript) is more likely to work than the keyboard shortcut, since keyboard shortcuts vary by program and version.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make subscript or superscript in a Google Doc?

Yes. In Google Docs, select the text, then click Format in the menu. Choose Text, then Superscript or Subscript. Google Docs does not have a keyboard shortcut for these by default, but you can create one in your settings if you use them often.

What if the keyboard shortcut does not work on my Mac?

Check that you are using Cmd+= and not Ctrl+=. If that does not work, your keyboard may not have an equals sign in the expected location. Use the Format menu instead, or check your keyboard layout settings. Some non-English keyboards place the equals sign differently.

Does subscript and superscript work in all fonts?

Yes. Any font in Word supports subscript and superscript formatting. The text shrinks and moves, but the font itself does not change. Some fonts may look slightly different when subscripted or superscripted, but all fonts handle it.

Can I change the size of subscript and superscript text?

Word sets subscript and superscript to a fixed size relative to the main text. You cannot adjust this directly through the subscript or superscript button. If you need different sizing, you can select the text, explore subscript or superscript, then manually change the font size afterward.