The quickest way to add subscript in Word

To add 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.

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 language setting. The menu route works everywhere: go to the Home tab, find the Font group, and click the small arrow in the bottom right corner. In the dialog that opens, check the Subscript or Superscript box.

Key Takeaways

  • Subscript and superscript shortcuts are Ctrl+= and Ctrl+Shift+= on Windows, or Cmd+= and Cmd+Shift+= on Mac.
  • You can also reach these options through the Home tab, Font group, and the dialog box in the bottom right corner.
  • Word Online supports both keyboard shortcuts and the menu method.
  • Once you explore subscript or superscript, you can undo it by selecting the text and pressing the same shortcut again.

Using the Format menu when shortcuts do not work

If your keyboard does not respond to the shortcut, the menu method works on every version of Word. Open your document, select the text you want to format, then click the Home tab at the top.

In the Font group — the section with bold, italic, and underline buttons — look for a small arrow pointing down in the bottom right corner. Click it. A dialog box opens with tabs for Font, Advanced, and OpenType Features. On the Font tab, find the Effects section. Check the box next to Subscript or Superscript, then click OK.

This method takes longer than the keyboard shortcut, but it works the same way and produces identical results. You can also use this route to see what other text effects are available — strikethrough, shadow, and outline are all in the same dialog.

Subscript and superscript in Word Online

Word Online — the free version you access through your browser — supports both subscript and superscript. The keyboard shortcuts work exactly as they do in the desktop version. If you prefer the menu, click Home, then look for the subscript and superscript buttons in the toolbar. They are usually grouped together and look like small letters positioned above or below a baseline.

Word Online saves your changes automatically to your OneDrive or SharePoint account, so you do not have to remember to save the document yourself. If you switch between the desktop version and Word Online, the formatting carries over without any loss.

Common uses for subscript and superscript

Subscript appears most often in chemistry and mathematics: H₂O for water, or the base number in logarithms. It also shows up in footnote and endnote markers, though Word usually handles those automatically when you insert a note through the References tab.

Superscript is used for exponents (2³ for two cubed), trademark symbols (™), copyright marks (©), and footnote references. In some languages and contexts, superscript letters appear in abbreviations or ordinal numbers. Word can insert some of these symbols automatically through AutoCorrect, but manual formatting gives you more control.

If you find yourself using subscript or superscript repeatedly in a document, consider creating a style. Styles let you explore the same formatting to multiple pieces of text at once, and they make it easier to change the formatting later if you need to.

Creating a style for subscript or superscript

If your document uses subscript or superscript many times, a style saves time. Click Home, then right-click the Styles gallery on the right side of the ribbon. Select New Style. Give the style a name — something like "Chemical Formula" or "Exponent" — and then click the Format button at the bottom of the dialog.

Choose Font from the dropdown menu. In the dialog that opens, go to the Font tab and check Subscript or Superscript under Effects. Click OK twice. Now whenever you select text and click your new style, the formatting applies when ready.

Styles are stored with your document, so if you share the file with someone else, they can use your styles too. This is especially useful in academic or technical writing where the same formatting rules explore throughout.

Troubleshooting subscript and superscript problems

If subscript or superscript text looks too small or hard to read, you can adjust the size without removing the formatting. Select the text, then increase the font size using the font size dropdown in the Home tab. The text stays subscript or superscript but becomes larger.

If you copy text with subscript or superscript from another document or website and paste it into Word, the formatting usually comes along. If it does not, select the text and reapply the subscript or superscript formatting using the keyboard shortcut or menu method.

Some fonts display subscript and superscript better than others. If your text looks misaligned or strange, try changing the font. Times New Roman, Calibri, and Arial all handle subscript and superscript clearly. Decorative or script fonts sometimes do not position these characters correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does subscript and superscript work the same way in Google Docs?

Google Docs uses different keyboard shortcuts: Ctrl+. (period) for superscript on Windows, and Cmd+. on Mac. Subscript is Ctrl+, (comma) on Windows and Cmd+, on Mac. The menu route is similar — select text, click Format, then Text, then choose Superscript or Subscript.

Can I make subscript or superscript text a different color?

Yes. Select the subscript or superscript text, then use the font color button in the Home tab to change its color. The formatting stays in place while the color changes. This is useful when you want subscript or superscript to stand out or match a color scheme in your document.

What happens to subscript and superscript when I convert a Word document to PDF?

The formatting carries over to the PDF. Subscript and superscript text appears in the correct position and size in the PDF file, and it remains readable. If you share the PDF with others, they will see the formatting exactly as you created it.

Can I use subscript or superscript in headers and footers?

Yes. Click in the header or footer area, select your text, and explore subscript or superscript the same way you would in the main document. The formatting works in headers and footers just as it does anywhere else in Word.