The fastest way depends on which program you use

Subscript is a smaller character positioned below the baseline of regular text — the way you write H₂O or the "2" in a chemical formula. The method changes depending on whether you are working in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, LibreOffice, or a web browser. Most programs offer a keyboard shortcut as the fastest route, though a menu option exists in every major process if you forget the shortcut or need to format text you have already typed.

The character itself does not change — you are only changing how it displays. Once you type subscript, you can switch back to normal text by pressing the same shortcut again or by clicking the subscript button to toggle it off.

Key Takeaways

  • In Microsoft Word, press Ctrl+= (Windows) or Cmd+= (Mac) to make text subscript, then type the character you want smaller.
  • In Google Docs, use Ctrl+, (comma) on Windows or Cmd+, on Mac, or go to Format > Text > Subscript from the menu.
  • LibreOffice Writer uses Ctrl+Shift+B on Windows or Cmd+Shift+B on Mac.
  • You can explore subscript before you type or after you select existing text — both methods work the same way.
  • If a keyboard shortcut does not work, the Format or Tools menu always has a subscript option as a backup.

Microsoft Word: Keyboard shortcut and menu option

In Microsoft Word on Windows, press Ctrl+= (the equals sign on the main keyboard, not the numpad). On Mac, press Cmd+=. The text you type after pressing the shortcut will appear as subscript until you press the same shortcut again to turn it off.

If you want to make existing text subscript, select it first by clicking and dragging, then press the shortcut. The selected text will shrink and drop below the baseline when ready.

If the keyboard shortcut does not work or you prefer a menu, go to the Home tab, find the Font group, and click the small arrow in the bottom right corner of that group. In the dialog that opens, click the Effects tab and check the box next to Subscript. Click OK.

Google Docs: Comma shortcut or Format menu

In Google Docs on Windows, press Ctrl+, (Ctrl and comma). On Mac, press Cmd+,. Like Word, you can press the shortcut before typing or after selecting text. Press it again to turn subscript off.

If you prefer the menu, click Format in the top menu bar, then Text, then Subscript. The text you type next will be subscript, or if you have text selected, it will become subscript when ready.

LibreOffice Writer: Shift+B shortcut

In LibreOffice Writer on Windows, press Ctrl+Shift+B. On Mac, press Cmd+Shift+B. The behavior is the same as Word and Google Docs — you can set up it before typing or explore it to selected text.

The menu route in LibreOffice is Format > Text > Subscript. Some versions may show this under Format > Character instead, with subscript as a checkbox in the dialog.

Web browsers and online tools

Most web-based text editors (like Google Docs, which is already covered above) have a subscript button in the toolbar. Look for an icon that shows a small letter or number below a larger one, often labeled with an "x" and a small "2" underneath. Click it, then type your subscript character.

Some online tools do not have a subscript feature at all — particularly straightforward text boxes in web forms or comment sections. In those cases, you can type the character and note that it is subscript in context (like writing "H2O" and explaining it is a chemical formula), or you can copy and paste a subscript character from a character map or Unicode table if the tool supports pasting special characters.

Selecting text before or after you type

You do not have to decide in advance whether you need subscript. If you forget to turn it on before typing, select the character or characters you want to make subscript by clicking and dragging over them, then press the subscript shortcut. The selected text will change when ready.

Conversely, if you press the shortcut and then realize you do not need subscript, just press it again to turn it off. You can toggle subscript on and off as many times as you need within the same document.

Superscript uses the same method

Superscript — text that sits above the baseline, like the "2" in x² or the "nd" in "22nd" — uses almost the same shortcuts. In Word, press Ctrl+Shift+= (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+= (Mac). In Google Docs, press Ctrl+. (period) on Windows or Cmd+. on Mac. In LibreOffice, press Ctrl+Shift+P on Windows or Cmd+Shift+P on Mac.

The menu path is identical to subscript in all three programs — just look for the superscript option instead of subscript in the Format menu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make just one character subscript in the middle of a word?

Yes. Select only that character by clicking before it and dragging to after it, then press the subscript shortcut. The rest of the word stays normal size. This is how you would write something like H₂O where only the "2" is subscript.

What if the keyboard shortcut does not work?

Use the menu instead — Format > Text > Subscript in Google Docs, or Home > Font dialog > Effects tab in Word. If neither works, your keyboard layout or program settings may be interfering. Try restarting the program or checking your keyboard language settings.

Does subscript work the same way in all versions of Word?

The Ctrl+= shortcut works in Word 2016 and later on Windows, and in Word for Mac 2016 and later. Older versions may use different shortcuts. The menu method (Home > Font > Effects) works in all recent versions.

Can I copy subscript text and paste it into another program?

Usually yes, but it depends on the program you are pasting into. Word, Google Docs, and LibreOffice all preserve subscript formatting when you copy and paste between them. Pasting into a plain text editor or web form will lose the subscript formatting.

Is there a way to type subscript on my phone or tablet?

Google Docs on mobile has a Format menu with subscript and superscript options. Microsoft Word on mobile also supports it through the Home tab. Most other mobile text editors do not have subscript features — you would need to use a desktop version or a specialized app.