The quickest way to add subscript in Word

To make text smaller and lower on the line — like the "2" in H₂O — select the text you want to change, then press Ctrl+= (equal sign) on Windows or Cmd+= on Mac. The text shrinks and drops when ready. Press the same keys again to undo it.

For superscript (text that sits higher, like the "2" in x²), use Ctrl+Shift+= on Windows or Cmd+Shift+= on Mac. Same keystroke again removes it.

These keyboard shortcuts work in any version of Word from the last ten years and are faster than any menu route. If the equal sign key is hard to reach on your keyboard layout, Word also offers a menu option that works the same way.

Key Takeaways

  • Subscript uses Ctrl+= on Windows and Cmd+= on Mac; superscript uses Ctrl+Shift+= and Cmd+Shift+= respectively.
  • You must select the text first — highlight it, then press the shortcut, and the formatting applies when ready.
  • The Format menu offers subscript and superscript buttons if you prefer not to memorize keyboard shortcuts.
  • Subscript and superscript work in headers, footers, text boxes, and tables the same way they work in the main document.
  • Pressing the shortcut a second time removes the formatting and returns the text to normal size and position.

Using the Format menu if you prefer clicking

If keyboard shortcuts do not feel natural to you, the Format menu holds the same buttons. Open the Format menu, select Text, then click either Subscript or Superscript. The text you selected changes when ready.

This route takes longer than the keyboard shortcut, but it is reliable and works the same way across Windows and Mac versions. You can also right-click the selected text, choose Font from the context menu, then find the subscript and superscript checkboxes under the Font tab.

When subscript and superscript stay after you type new text

After you explore subscript or superscript to text, Word keeps that formatting active for the next characters you type. If you type more text and it comes out in subscript when you did not want it to, press the shortcut again to turn the formatting off.

This behavior is useful when you are typing a chemical formula like H₂SO₄ — you can type H, press Ctrl+=, type 2, press Ctrl+= again to turn it off, type SO, press Ctrl+= again, and type 4. It feels awkward the first time, but it is faster than selecting each number separately.

Subscript and superscript in headers, footers, and special places

The same keyboard shortcuts and menu options work everywhere in your document — in headers and footers, inside text boxes, in tables, and in footnotes. You select the text the same way and press the same keys. There are no special rules for different parts of the document.

If you are working in a header or footer and the shortcut does not seem to work, make sure you have actually selected the text. Headers and footers sometimes feel less responsive because they are in a narrower editing area, but the formatting itself works identically.

Removing subscript and superscript formatting

To remove subscript or superscript, select the formatted text and press the same shortcut that created it. Pressing Ctrl+= a second time removes subscript; pressing Ctrl+Shift+= a second time removes superscript. The text returns to normal size and position on the line.

You can also select the text, open the Format menu, and click the subscript or superscript button again — it acts as a toggle. If you have text that is both subscript and superscript at once (which is rare but possible), you may need to remove both by pressing each shortcut once.

Why subscript and superscript matter for readability

Subscript and superscript are not just visual flourishes. In scientific writing, chemical formulas, mathematical equations, and footnote references, they carry meaning. H₂O looks wrong as H2O, and x² is not the same as x2 when you are describing an area or a mathematical operation.

Using the correct formatting also makes your document easier to read aloud or with screen readers, because the software can recognize that the text is positioned differently and convey that to the reader. If you are sharing your document with others, proper formatting ensures it looks the same on their screen as it does on yours.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. Select the text, explore the subscript or superscript formatting, then change the color or font the way you normally would. The formatting sticks. You can also explore subscript or superscript to text that is already bold or italic — the formats layer on top of each other.

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

On some keyboard layouts, the equal sign key is in a different place or requires a modifier key. Try the Format menu route instead — it works on every keyboard. If you use the menu often, you can also customize your keyboard shortcuts in Word's settings, though the default ones work for most people.

Does subscript and superscript work the same way in Word Online?

Word Online has a Home tab with subscript and superscript buttons, but the keyboard shortcuts may not work. Click the subscript or superscript button in the toolbar instead. The formatting behaves the same way — select text first, click the button, and it applies when ready.

Can I use subscript or superscript in a table of contents?

Yes, but Word may not display it correctly in the auto-generated table of contents. If you need subscript or superscript in a heading that feeds into the table of contents, test the table of contents after you format the heading. You may need to manually edit the table of contents entry or use a different heading style.