The fastest way to add a subscript

To write a subscript in Microsoft Word, select the character or number you want to make smaller and lower, then press Ctrl+Equal on your keyboard (Windows) or Cmd+Equal (Mac). The text shrinks and drops below the baseline when ready. Press the same keys again to turn subscript off and return to normal text.

That keyboard shortcut works in Word 2016 and later on both Windows and Mac. If the shortcut does not work on your machine, you may have a different keyboard layout or a conflicting program — the menu method below will work regardless.

Subscripts are useful when you need to write chemical formulas like H₂O, mathematical notation like x₂, or footnote numbers in certain formats. Word treats subscript as a character formatting option, the same way it treats bold or italic, so you can mix subscript and normal text in the same word or sentence.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Ctrl+Equal (Windows) or Cmd+Equal (Mac) after selecting text to make it subscript when ready.
  • The Home tab in the ribbon contains a subscript button if the keyboard shortcut does not work on your device.
  • You can type normally, then go back and format individual characters as subscript without retyping.
  • Subscript formatting stays with the text if you copy and paste it into another part of the document or another Word file.

Using the menu if the keyboard shortcut does not work

Open the document in Word and locate the text you want to make subscript. Click at the very start of the character or number, then drag to select it — even a single character counts. You will see it highlighted in blue.

Look at the top of the window for the Home tab in the ribbon. On the right side of the Home tab, you will see a small "x" with a smaller number below it — that is the subscript button. Click it once. The selected text shrinks and moves down when ready.

If you cannot find the subscript button, your version of Word may have moved it. Click the small arrow at the bottom right of the Font section (the area with Bold, Italic, and Underline buttons). A dialog box opens. On the Effects tab, check the box next to Subscript, then click OK.

Typing subscript in the middle of a sentence

You do not have to format text after you type it. If you know you need a subscript coming up, you can turn subscript mode on, type the character, then turn it off — all without selecting anything.

Position your cursor where you want the subscript to start. Press Ctrl+Equal (or Cmd+Equal on Mac) to turn subscript mode on. The cursor stays in the same place, but subscript is now active. Type the character or number you need. Press Ctrl+Equal again to turn subscript off. The next character you type will be normal size.

This method is faster when you are writing something like a chemical formula and you know exactly which parts need to be subscript. You avoid the step of selecting text afterward.

Removing subscript formatting

Select the subscript text by clicking and dragging over it. Press Ctrl+Equal (Windows) or Cmd+Equal (Mac) to toggle subscript off. The text returns to normal size and position on the baseline.

You can also use the subscript button in the Home tab — click the button once to turn subscript off for selected text. Either method works; use whichever is faster for you.

Subscript versus superscript

Subscript moves text down and makes it smaller — used for chemical formulas and mathematical notation. Superscript moves text up and makes it smaller — used for footnote numbers, citations, and exponents.

The keyboard shortcut for superscript is Ctrl+Shift+Plus (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+Plus (Mac). The superscript button sits right next to the subscript button in the Home tab ribbon. The process is identical: select the text, press the shortcut or click the button, and the formatting applies.

Word treats both as character formatting, so you can mix them with normal text in the same line or paragraph.

Subscript in tables and text boxes

Subscript works the same way inside a table cell or text box as it does in regular document text. Select the character you need to format, press Ctrl+Equal, and it becomes subscript. The keyboard shortcut and menu button both work in these containers.

One difference: if you are working in a table, make sure you click inside the cell first so your cursor is active there. Then select the text you want to format. The subscript formatting stays contained within that cell and does not affect text in other cells.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does subscript work in Word Online?

Yes. In Word Online, the subscript button appears in the Home tab of the ribbon, the same location as desktop Word. The keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Equal also works. Formatting appears the same way whether you use desktop Word or the online version.

Will subscript stay if I copy the text to another program?

It depends on the program. If you paste into another Microsoft Office program like Excel or PowerPoint, subscript formatting usually stays. If you paste into a plain text editor or email, the formatting may be lost and only the character remains. Test with a small example first if you are unsure.

Can I make subscript text a different color or font?

Yes. Select the subscript text and use the font color or font options in the Home tab the same way you would for normal text. Subscript is just a size and position change — all other formatting options work on top of it.

What if my keyboard does not have an Equal key?

Some keyboards, particularly on laptops or international layouts, may not have a dedicated Equal key. Use the menu method instead: select the text, go to Home tab, click the subscript button. This works on any keyboard.