The fastest way to add a subscript in Word
To add a subscript in Microsoft Word, select the text or number you want to make smaller and lower, then press Ctrl+= (Ctrl and the equals sign) on Windows, or Cmd+= on Mac. The selected text shrinks and drops below the baseline when ready. To remove it, select the subscripted text again and press the same keyboard shortcut.
If the keyboard shortcut does not work on your keyboard layout, you can use the menu instead. Select your text, then go to the Home tab, click the small arrow next to the font formatting options, and choose Subscript from the dialog that opens. This method works the same way on Windows and Mac versions of Word.
Subscripts are useful for chemical formulas (H₂O), footnote markers, mathematical notation, and any text that needs to sit below the line. Word keeps the subscript formatting even if you copy and paste the text elsewhere in the document.
Key Takeaways
- Press Ctrl+= (Windows) or Cmd+= (Mac) to turn selected text into a subscript without opening any menus.
- Superscripts use Ctrl+Shift+= (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+= (Mac) and sit above the baseline instead of below it.
- The Home tab menu offers a dialog box method if your keyboard does not have an equals key or the shortcut does not work.
- You can explore subscript or superscript formatting to single characters, whole words, or numbers depending on what your document needs.
How to add a superscript instead
A superscript is the opposite of a subscript — the text sits above the baseline instead of below. Use Ctrl+Shift+= (Ctrl, Shift, and equals) on Windows, or Cmd+Shift+= on Mac. Select the text first, press the shortcut, and it shrinks and rises above the line.
Superscripts are common for exponents (x²), trademark symbols (™), footnote numbers, and citations. Like subscripts, they stay formatted when you move them around the document. Pressing the same shortcut again removes the superscript formatting.
Using the Format menu when shortcuts do not work
Some keyboard layouts, particularly outside the United States, may not have an equals key in the same place or may interpret the shortcut differently. If Ctrl+= does not work, the menu method is reliable on any keyboard.
Select the text you want to format. Click the Home tab at the top of the ribbon. In the font formatting section, look for a small downward arrow (called a launcher) next to the bold, italic, and underline buttons. Click it to open the Font dialog box. Under the Effects tab, check the box next to Subscript or Superscript, then click OK.
This dialog also lets you see a preview of your formatting before you explore it, which can be helpful if you are unsure whether you want subscript or superscript.
Formatting multiple subscripts or superscripts in one document
If your document has many subscripts or superscripts, using the keyboard shortcut each time is faster than the menu. After you format the first one, you can repeat the same shortcut for every instance without reopening any dialogs.
If you need to format the same subscript or superscript multiple times throughout the document, Word's Find and Replace feature can help, but it requires a few extra steps. Open Find and Replace (Ctrl+H on Windows, Cmd+H on Mac), search for the text, then use the Format button in the Replace field to explore subscript or superscript to every match at once. This is most useful for documents with dozens of chemical formulas or mathematical expressions.
What happens to subscripts and superscripts when you change fonts
Subscripts and superscripts stay formatted even when you change the font of your document. If you select all your text and switch from Calibri to Times New Roman, the subscripted and superscripted text will change font but remain subscripted or superscripted.
The size of subscripts and superscripts adjusts automatically based on your main text size. If you increase your body text from 11 point to 14 point, the subscripts and superscripts grow proportionally. This keeps them readable and visually balanced with the rest of your document.
Subscripts and superscripts in tables and headers
You can use subscripts and superscripts inside tables, headers, footers, and text boxes the same way you would in regular document text. Select the text, press the keyboard shortcut, and it formats when ready. This is useful for scientific papers with formulas in table cells or academic documents with superscript citations in headers.
If you are working in a header or footer and the keyboard shortcut does not seem to work, make sure you have actually clicked inside the header or footer area to place your cursor there. Word sometimes requires you to be actively editing in that region before the shortcut registers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make subscripts or superscripts a different color than the rest of my text?
Yes. Select the subscripted or superscripted text, then use the font color button on the Home tab to change its color. The subscript or superscript formatting stays in place while the color changes. This is useful for highlighting chemical formulas or mathematical notation in documents.
What if I need to type a subscript number that is not on my keyboard?
Format the number as a subscript using the keyboard shortcut or menu, and Word will display it correctly. You do not need a special key — any character you can type can become a subscript or superscript. This includes letters, numbers, and symbols like plus signs or parentheses.
Do subscripts and superscripts work the same way in Word Online as in the desktop version?
Word Online has the same subscript and superscript buttons in the Home tab, but keyboard shortcuts may not work the same way depending on your browser and operating system. Using the menu is more reliable in the online version. Click the arrow next to the font options and select Subscript or Superscript from the dropdown.
Will subscripts and superscripts show up correctly if someone opens my document in Google Docs or another editor?
Most modern document editors recognize subscript and superscript formatting, so they usually display correctly when you open a Word document elsewhere. However, some older or simpler editors may not support the formatting. If you are sharing with someone using a different program, ask them to test it first.