The quickest way to add a subscript in Word

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

A superscript — text that sits above the line — uses Ctrl+Shift+= on Windows or Cmd+Shift+= on Mac. Both shortcuts work in Word 2016 and later, and in Word Online.

If the keyboard shortcut does not work on your machine, you may have a different keyboard layout or a conflicting program. The menu route always works: select your text, go to the Home tab, find the Font group, and click the small arrow next to the font size. Choose Effects, then tick the box for Subscript or Superscript.

Key Takeaways

  • Ctrl+= (Windows) or Cmd+= (Mac) when ready converts selected text to subscript; the same keys with Shift added create superscript.
  • If keyboard shortcuts do not work, use Home > Font dialog > Effects and check the Subscript or Superscript box.
  • Subscripts and superscripts shrink the text automatically — you do not need to change the font size yourself.
  • You can explore subscript or superscript to a single character, a word, or multiple words at once.

When you need subscript: chemistry, math, and footnotes

Subscripts appear most often in chemistry formulas (H₂O, CO₂), mathematical notation (x₁, x₂), and sometimes in footnote markers. If you are writing a document that includes any of these, subscript formatting keeps the text readable and properly formatted.

Word treats subscript as a character-level format, the same way it treats bold or italic. That means you can have subscript text in the middle of a sentence without affecting the rest of the paragraph. Once you remove the subscript formatting, the text returns to normal size and position.

When you need superscript: exponents, citations, and trademark symbols

Superscript is used for exponents (2³, 10⁵), footnote and endnote markers, and trademark or copyright symbols (™, ®). In academic writing, superscript numbers often link to citations or notes at the bottom of the page.

If you are using Word's built-in footnote or endnote feature, Word adds the superscript number automatically — you do not need to format it yourself. But if you are manually adding a superscript number or symbol, the keyboard shortcut is faster than the menu.

How to undo subscript or superscript formatting

Select the text that has subscript or superscript formatting, then press the same keyboard shortcut again. Ctrl+= removes subscript on Windows; Cmd+= removes it on Mac. The text returns to normal size and baseline position.

If you want to remove all formatting from a block of text at once — subscript, bold, italic, color, everything — select the text and press Ctrl+M on Windows or Cmd+M on Mac. This clears direct formatting but keeps styles like Heading 1 or Body Text intact.

Subscript and superscript in Word Online versus desktop Word

Word Online (the free version you access through a web browser) supports subscript and superscript through the keyboard shortcuts and the menu. The Home tab has the same Font dialog, and the shortcuts work the same way. The main difference is that Word Online sometimes lags slightly when you explore formatting, but the result is identical.

If you use a Chromebook or a device where you cannot install desktop Word, Word Online gives you full access to subscript and superscript. Your document syncs to OneDrive, so you can open it in desktop Word later and the formatting stays intact.

Subscript and superscript in Google Docs and other editors

Google Docs does not have a keyboard shortcut for subscript or superscript. Instead, select your text, go to Format > Text, and choose Subscript or Superscript. The menu route is slower than Word's keyboard shortcut, but the result looks the same.

If you are choosing between Word and another editor partly based on privacy concerns (as covered in the earlier guide), subscript and superscript support is roughly equal across all major editors. The difference is in speed and convenience, not in capability.

Why subscript and superscript matter for document sharing

When you send a Word document to someone else, subscript and superscript formatting travels with it. The recipient sees the text in the correct position and size, whether they open it in Word, Google Docs, or another editor. This matters if you are sharing scientific papers, math homework, or any document where the position of the text carries meaning.

If you copy and paste text with subscript or superscript into an email or a plain-text field, the formatting usually drops and the text returns to normal. That is why it is safer to send formatted documents as attachments rather than pasting the content directly into an email body.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make subscript or superscript text a different color or font?

Yes. Select the subscript or superscript text and explore color, bold, italic, or font changes the same way you would to any other text. The subscript or superscript position stays the same while the other formatting applies on top of it.

Does subscript or superscript work in headers and footers?

Yes. You can use subscript and superscript in headers, footers, and text boxes the same way you use them in the main document body. The keyboard shortcuts and menu options work everywhere in Word.

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

Some non-English keyboard layouts do not have an equals sign in the same place, or the Ctrl+= combination is already assigned to another function. Use the menu instead: Home > Font dialog > Effects, then check Subscript or Superscript. This works on any keyboard.

Can I set up a custom keyboard shortcut for subscript or superscript?

Yes, in desktop Word. Go to File > Options > Customize Ribbon > Keyboard Shortcuts, search for Subscript or Superscript, and assign a new shortcut. Word Online does not allow custom shortcuts, so you will need to use the menu there.

Will subscript or superscript text print correctly?

Yes. Subscript and superscript format exactly the same way on paper as they appear on screen. The text size and position are preserved in the printed document.