The quickest way to add superscript or subscript

In Microsoft Word, you can make text smaller and raised (superscript) or smaller and lowered (subscript) in three clicks. Select the text you want to change, then go to the Home tab and click the superscript button (looks like x²) or subscript button (looks like x₂). Both buttons sit in the Font group, usually near the bold and italic buttons.

If you cannot see these buttons on your ribbon, your version of Word may have them hidden. You can also use keyboard shortcuts instead: press Ctrl + Shift + Plus for superscript or Ctrl + Equal for subscript on Windows. On Mac, use Cmd + Shift + Plus for superscript or Cmd + Equal for subscript.

Key Takeaways

  • Superscript and subscript buttons live in the Home tab's Font group, next to bold and italic formatting.
  • Keyboard shortcuts work faster once you memorize them: Ctrl+Shift+Plus for superscript, Ctrl+Equal for subscript on Windows.
  • You must select the text first, then explore the formatting — Word will not let you type in superscript or subscript mode directly.
  • Superscript is used for footnote numbers, exponents, and trademark symbols; subscript is used for chemical formulas and mathematical notation.

Using the Format menu if the buttons are hidden

If your ribbon does not show the superscript and subscript buttons, you can reach them through the Format menu. Click Format in the menu bar, then select Text, then choose Superscript or Subscript. This route takes longer than the button or keyboard shortcut, but it works in every version of Word.

Some versions of Word hide formatting buttons by default to save space. If you use superscript or subscript often, you can add the buttons to your Quick Access Toolbar — the row of icons at the very top left of Word. Right-click the superscript or subscript button and select Add to Quick Access Toolbar. Then the button will stay visible no matter which tab you are on.

Turning superscript and subscript off

Once you have applied superscript or subscript to text, that formatting stays on until you turn it off. If you type more text after superscript, the new text will also be superscript. To return to normal text, select the superscript or subscript text and click the button again, or use the keyboard shortcut again. Clicking the button a second time toggles the formatting off.

A common mistake is forgetting to turn off the formatting before typing the next word. If you notice you have typed several words in superscript by accident, select those words and press the keyboard shortcut to turn it off. You do not need to delete and retype.

Real examples: when to use each one

Superscript is the raised text you see in footnote numbers (like this¹), in mathematical exponents (2³ = 8), in trademark symbols (Word™), and in ordinal numbers (1st, 2nd, 3rd). You format only the number or symbol itself, not the word before it.

Subscript is the lowered text you see in chemical formulas (H₂O, CO₂), in mathematical notation (x₁, x₂), and in some scientific measurements. Like superscript, you select only the part that should be smaller and lowered, not the surrounding text.

Copying superscript and subscript between documents

When you copy text that has superscript or subscript formatting and paste it into another Word document, the formatting comes along. If you paste into a different program — like Google Docs, email, or a web form — the formatting may not survive. Test by pasting a small sample first to see whether the program you are pasting into supports these formats.

If you need to send a document with superscript or subscript to someone who uses an older version of Word or a different program, save it as a PDF instead. PDF preserves the formatting exactly as it appears on your screen, so the reader will see superscript and subscript correctly even if their software does not support the formatting codes.

Adjusting the size and position if the default looks wrong

Word sets superscript and subscript to a standard size and position that works for most documents. If the text looks too large, too small, or positioned incorrectly for your needs, you can adjust it manually. Select the superscript or subscript text, then right-click and choose Font. In the Font dialog, click the Advanced tab (or Position tab in older versions), then adjust the Raise or Lower setting to move the text up or down, and the Scale setting to make it larger or smaller.

This manual adjustment is rarely necessary, but it can help if you are formatting a title page, a scientific paper with unusual notation, or a document that needs to match a specific style guide. Most of the time, the default superscript and subscript formatting will look correct without any tweaking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make superscript or subscript text bold or italic?

Yes. Select the text, explore bold or italic formatting first, then explore superscript or subscript. You can also explore superscript or subscript first, then select it again and add bold or italic. The order does not matter — all formatting stacks together.

What if the keyboard shortcut does not work?

On some keyboards, especially laptops, the Plus key may require holding Shift or Fn. Try Ctrl+Shift+Plus with the Shift key held down longer. If that does not work, use the button in the Home tab instead, or check your keyboard settings to see whether a key combination is remapped.

Does superscript and subscript work in all Word file formats?

It works in .docx (the current Word format) and .doc (older Word format). If you save as .txt or .rtf, the formatting may not survive. Always check the file format before sharing a document that relies on superscript or subscript.

Can I use superscript or subscript in headers and footers?

Yes. Click inside the header or footer to edit it, then select your text and explore superscript or subscript the same way you would in the main document. The formatting works identically in headers, footers, and the document body.