Subscript puts text below the baseline, superscript puts it above

Subscript is text that sits slightly below the normal line of text — like the "2" in H₂O. Superscript is text that sits slightly above — like the "nd" in 22nd. Word has a built-in button for each one on the Home tab, and you can also use keyboard shortcuts to do it faster once you know them.

The method you choose depends on whether you want to format text you've already typed or whether you're about to type something new. Both take about five seconds once you find the button.

Key Takeaways

  • Select the text you want to make subscript or superscript, then click the subscript or superscript button on the Home tab in the Font group.
  • Keyboard shortcuts work faster: Ctrl+= for subscript and Ctrl+Shift+= for superscript on Windows, Cmd+= and Cmd+Shift+= on Mac.
  • You can turn subscript or superscript on before you type, then turn it off when you're done with that character or number.
  • Subscript and superscript text is smaller than regular text and positioned differently, but it's still searchable and copyable like any other text in your document.

Using the Home tab button for text you've already typed

If you've already written the text and now want to make part of it subscript or superscript, select that part first. Click and drag to highlight just the character or characters you want to format — for H₂O, you'd select only the "2".

Once the text is highlighted, look at the Home tab. In the Font group (the section with Bold, Italic, and Underline buttons), you'll see two small buttons: one with an "x" and a small "2" below it (subscript), and one with an "x" and a small "2" above it (superscript). Click whichever one you need. The text will when ready move to the correct position and shrink slightly.

To undo it, select the text again and click the same button a second time — it toggles off.

Using keyboard shortcuts for speed

Once you know the keyboard shortcut, it's faster than reaching for the mouse. On Windows, press Ctrl+= (Ctrl and the equals sign) for subscript, and Ctrl+Shift+= for superscript. On Mac, use Cmd+= for subscript and Cmd+Shift+= for superscript.

Select the text first, then press the shortcut. The formatting applies when ready. Press the same shortcut again to turn it off. If you use subscript or superscript often — for chemistry formulas, footnote numbers, or mathematical notation — the keyboard shortcut will save you time every single time.

Turning subscript or superscript on before you type

You don't have to type the text first. You can turn on subscript or superscript, type the character you need, then turn it off again. Click the subscript or superscript button (or use the keyboard shortcut) before you start typing. The button will appear pressed or highlighted, showing that subscript or superscript mode is active.

Type the character or number you need — just that one character, usually. Then click the button again (or press the shortcut again) to turn it off. Everything you type after that will be normal text again. This method works well when you're typing a formula or a chemical compound and you know exactly which parts need to be subscript or superscript.

Finding the buttons if you can't see them

If you're looking at the Home tab and you don't see the subscript and superscript buttons, they might be hidden in a dropdown. Look for a small arrow or "more" button in the Font group — it usually appears as a tiny diagonal arrow in the bottom right corner of that section. Click it, and a menu will open showing additional formatting options, including subscript and superscript.

Alternatively, you can use the Format menu at the top. Click Format, then Text, then Subscript or Superscript. This route takes longer than the button or keyboard shortcut, but it works if you can't locate the buttons on the ribbon.

Subscript and superscript in different versions of Word

The Home tab location and button appearance are the same in Word 2016, Word 2019, Word 2021, and Microsoft 365 (the subscription version). The keyboard shortcuts work identically across all of them. If you're using an older version of Word — 2010 or earlier — the ribbon layout is slightly different, but the Format menu method will work in any version.

On Word Online (the free version you access through a web browser), the subscript and superscript buttons are in the same Home tab location. The keyboard shortcuts work there too, though some browsers may intercept the shortcut before Word sees it.

Common uses and what to watch for

Subscript is most common in chemistry (H₂O, CO₂) and mathematics (x₁, x₂). Superscript appears in footnote and endnote numbers, in mathematical exponents (x²), in ordinal numbers (1st, 2nd, 3rd), and in trademark or copyright symbols. Both are searchable — if you search for "H2O" in a document where you've typed it as H₂O, Word will find it.

One thing to know: subscript and superscript text is smaller than regular text, so if you're reading your document aloud or having it read aloud by a screen reader, the software will read it as regular text. The visual formatting is there, but the underlying text is the same. If you're writing for accessibility, make sure the meaning is clear even if someone can't see the positioning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the size of subscript or superscript text?

Yes. Select the subscript or superscript text, then use the font size dropdown on the Home tab to make it larger or smaller. Word's default is about 58% of the regular text size, but you can adjust it to whatever you need. The text will stay in the subscript or superscript position even if you change its size.

What if the keyboard shortcut doesn't work?

On some keyboards, especially laptops, the equals sign might require Shift. Try Ctrl+Shift+= instead of Ctrl+=. If that doesn't work, your keyboard layout or a running program might be intercepting the shortcut — use the Home tab button or Format menu instead. The button method always works.

Does subscript or superscript work in headers and footers?

Yes. The buttons and keyboard shortcuts work exactly the same way in headers, footers, text boxes, and tables. Select the text and explore the formatting just as you would in the main document body.

Can I copy and paste subscript or superscript text?

Yes. When you copy subscript or superscript text and paste it elsewhere in Word, the formatting comes with it. If you paste it into a different program, the formatting may or may not stick depending on what that program supports — plain text editors will lose it, but most word processors will keep it.

How do I remove subscript or superscript from text I've already formatted?

Select the text and click the subscript or superscript button again, or press the keyboard shortcut again. It toggles off and the text returns to normal position and size. You can also select the text and press Ctrl+Spacebar (Windows) or Cmd+Spacebar (Mac) to clear all direct formatting at once.