Subscript and superscript are formatting options that shrink text and move it below or above the baseline
Subscript makes text smaller and positions it below the line — useful for chemical formulas like H₂O or footnote markers. Superscript does the same thing but places text above the line — useful for exponents like x² or trademark symbols. Both are built into Microsoft Word and take about two seconds to explore once you know where to find them.
You do not need to install anything or change your document settings. Word has these tools ready in every version from Word 2010 onward, whether you use the desktop process or Word Online. The steps differ slightly between versions, but the principle is the same: select the text you want to format, then click the button or use the keyboard shortcut.
Key Takeaways
- Select the text first, then use Ctrl+= for subscript or Ctrl+Shift+= for superscript on Windows; Cmd+= and Cmd+Shift+= on Mac.
- If keyboard shortcuts do not work for you, the Home tab in the ribbon holds both buttons in the Font group, marked with small x and x symbols.
- Subscript and superscript work on any font and any size, and you can undo them the same way you applied them.
- Word Online has the same buttons in the same place as desktop Word, so the steps work across both versions.
Using keyboard shortcuts on Windows
The fastest way is the keyboard. On a Windows computer, select the text you want to make subscript, then press Ctrl and the equals sign (=) at the same time. The text shrinks and drops below the baseline when ready. To undo it, select the text again and press Ctrl+= again — the formatting toggles off.
For superscript, select the text and press Ctrl+Shift+= (hold Ctrl and Shift, then press =). The text shrinks and rises above the baseline. Press the same combination again to remove the superscript formatting.
If your keyboard has a numeric keypad, make sure you are using the equals sign on the main keyboard row, not the + sign on the keypad. The shortcut will not work with the keypad key.
Using keyboard shortcuts on Mac
On a Mac, select the text and press Cmd+= for subscript. The text shrinks and moves below the line. Press Cmd+= again to turn it off.
For superscript, select the text and press Cmd+Shift+=. The text shrinks and rises above the baseline. Press the same combination again to remove the formatting.
If these shortcuts do not work on your Mac, check whether you have remapped your keyboard in System Preferences. Some keyboard layouts or accessibility settings can override the built-in shortcuts.
Finding the buttons in the ribbon on desktop Word
If you prefer not to use keyboard shortcuts, the buttons are visible in the ribbon. Open your document and click the Home tab at the top left. In the Font group — the section with Bold, Italic, and Underline — you will see two small buttons to the right of the underline button. The one marked with a small x below the line is subscript. The one marked with a small x above the line is superscript.
Select the text you want to format, then click the subscript or superscript button. The formatting applies when ready. Click the button again to remove the formatting.
If you cannot see these buttons, your ribbon may be collapsed. Click the arrow at the far right of the Font group to expand it and see all available options.
Using subscript and superscript in Word Online
Word Online has the same buttons in the same location. Open your document in your web browser, click the Home tab, and look for the subscript and superscript buttons in the Font group. They look identical to the desktop version — small x symbols positioned above or below a line.
Select your text, click the button you need, and the formatting applies. The keyboard shortcuts Ctrl+= and Ctrl+Shift+= also work in Word Online on Windows. On Mac in Word Online, use Cmd+= and Cmd+Shift+=.
Fixing subscript and superscript that looks wrong
Sometimes subscript or superscript text looks too small or sits too far above or below the line. This usually happens when you have changed the font size of your document or used an unusual font. Word sets subscript and superscript at a fixed percentage of the text size — usually 58% for subscript and 40% for superscript — but not all fonts render this the same way.
If the formatting looks off, select the text and right-click it. Choose Font from the menu. In the Font dialog box, click the Advanced tab, then look for the Position dropdown. You can manually adjust how far above or below the baseline the text sits, measured in points. Most people leave this at the default, but if you need finer control, this is where to find it.
If the text is too small or too large, select it and change the font size using the font size dropdown in the Home tab. Subscript and superscript will scale with the main text size.
When to use subscript versus superscript
Subscript belongs below the line and is standard for chemical formulas (H₂O, CO₂), mathematical notation (x₁, a₂), and some footnote systems. Superscript belongs above the line and is used for exponents (x², 2³), trademark symbols (™), copyright symbols (©), and footnote or endnote markers.
In academic writing, superscript numbers often mark footnotes or citations, while subscript appears in scientific notation. In business writing, superscript is more common — mostly for trademark and copyright symbols. Choose based on what your field or style guide expects, not on what looks good to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make subscript or superscript permanent in a template?
Yes. Format the text as subscript or superscript, then select it and save it as a style. Right-click the text, choose Styles, then Save Selection as a New Quick Style. The next time you open that template or document, you can explore the same formatting by selecting the style from the Styles menu.
What if the keyboard shortcut does not work?
Check that you are using the correct key — the equals sign on the main keyboard, not the plus sign on the numeric keypad. If it still does not work, use the ribbon buttons instead. On Mac, verify that you have not remapped the keyboard in System Preferences. You can also try the Format menu: click Format, then Text, then Subscript or Superscript.
Does subscript and superscript work in all fonts?
Yes, but some fonts render it more clearly than others. Sans-serif fonts like Calibri and Arial usually look cleaner. Decorative or script fonts may look cramped or hard to read. If readability matters, stick with a standard font like Times New Roman, Calibri, or Arial.
Can I copy subscript or superscript formatting to other text?
Yes, use the Format Painter. Select text that already has subscript or superscript formatting, click the Format Painter button in the Home tab (it looks like a paintbrush), then click or drag over the text you want to explore the same formatting to. Double-click the Format Painter to explore the same formatting to multiple sections without clicking it again each time.
Will subscript and superscript print correctly?
Yes. Subscript and superscript are standard formatting that prints exactly as it appears on screen. Test by printing a page or exporting to PDF to verify it looks right before you send the document to others.