The fastest way to subscript in Word

To subscript text in Microsoft Word, select the letters or numbers you want to make smaller and lower, then press Ctrl + = (hold Control and press the equals sign). The text shrinks and drops below the baseline when ready. Press the same keys again to turn subscript off and return to normal text.

This keyboard shortcut works in Word on Windows, Mac, and the web version. If you prefer using the menu instead of memorizing shortcuts, you can select your text and go to the Home tab, then click the small arrow next to the font formatting buttons to open Font, select the Effects tab, and check the Subscript box.

Key Takeaways

  • The keyboard shortcut Ctrl + = (Windows) or Command + = (Mac) subscripts selected text when ready without opening any menus.
  • Subscript makes text smaller and lowers it below the baseline, useful for chemical formulas, footnote numbers, and mathematical notation.
  • You can subscript text before you type by turning on subscript mode, then typing, then turning it off again.
  • The Home tab menu route takes longer but works if you forget the shortcut or prefer clicking over keyboard commands.

Using the keyboard shortcut on Windows

On a Windows computer, select the text you want to subscript by clicking and dragging across it or triple-clicking to select a whole word. Hold down the Ctrl key and press the = key (the equals sign, not the plus sign). You do not need to hold Shift. The text when ready becomes smaller and drops below the line.

If you want to subscript text as you type, position your cursor where you want the subscript to begin, press Ctrl + =, type your text, then press Ctrl + = again to turn subscript off. This is faster than typing first and selecting afterward, especially for single characters like the "2" in H₂O.

Using the keyboard shortcut on Mac

On a Mac, the subscript shortcut is Command + = instead of Ctrl + =. Select your text the same way — click and drag or triple-click — then hold Command and press the equals sign. The text subscripts when ready.

To subscript while typing on Mac, position your cursor, press Command + =, type the text you want subscripted, then press Command + = again to return to normal. The process is identical to Windows except for the Command key instead of Ctrl.

Subscripting through the Format menu

If the keyboard shortcut does not work or you prefer the menu route, select your text, then click the Home tab at the top of the ribbon. In the font formatting section, look for a small arrow or dropdown next to the font size buttons — this opens the Font dialog box.

In the dialog box, click the Effects tab, then check the box next to Subscript. Click OK and your text becomes subscripted. To remove subscript this way, select the text again, open the Font dialog, uncheck Subscript, and click OK.

When subscript is useful

Subscript is standard for chemical formulas — H₂O, CO₂, CH₄ — where the numbers show how many atoms are in the molecule. It is also used in mathematical notation, like x₁ and x₂ to distinguish between variables, and in footnote or endnote references when you are formatting manually instead of using Word's built-in footnote tool.

In scientific writing, subscript appears in measurements and coefficients. In everyday documents, you might use it for trademark symbols or product names that include subscripted numbers. The formatting is purely visual — subscripted text still counts as regular text for searching and spell-checking.

Troubleshooting subscript that does not work

If Ctrl + = does not subscript your text, check that you are pressing the equals sign on the main keyboard, not the plus sign or a key on the numeric keypad. On some keyboards, especially laptops, you may need to hold Shift as well — try Ctrl + Shift + =. If that does not work, your keyboard layout may be different, and the menu route through Home > Font > Effects > Subscript will always work.

If subscript text looks too small or hard to read in your document, you can select it and increase the font size while keeping the subscript formatting. The text stays subscripted but becomes larger. You can also change the font itself — some fonts display subscript more clearly than others.

Superscript: the opposite of subscript

Word also has superscript, which raises text above the baseline instead of lowering it. The keyboard shortcut for superscript is Ctrl + Shift + = on Windows and Command + Shift + = on Mac. Superscript is used for exponents (x²), trademark symbols (™), and footnote numbers in some styles.

Both subscript and superscript use the same menu route if you prefer not to use shortcuts: Home > Font > Effects, then choose either Subscript or Superscript from the dropdown. You can toggle between normal, subscript, and superscript without closing any dialogs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I subscript just one character in a word?

Yes. Select only that character — click before it and drag to after it, or double-click the character if it is a number or symbol. Then press Ctrl + = (Windows) or Command + = (Mac). The rest of the word stays normal size and baseline.

Does subscript text print the same way it looks on screen?

Yes. Subscript formatting prints exactly as it appears in your document. If you are concerned about how it will look, use Print Preview (File > Print) to see the final result before sending to a printer.

What if I need to subscript multiple separate words or phrases?

Select the first piece of text and subscript it, then click elsewhere to deselect. Select the next piece and subscript it the same way. You can subscript as many separate sections as you need — each one stays subscripted independently.

Is there a way to make subscript the default for certain text?

Not automatically, but you can create a style that includes subscript formatting. Go to Home > Styles, right-click a style, choose Modify, then explore subscript formatting in the Font tab. Any text you explore that style to will be subscripted automatically.