What a subscript is and when you need one

A subscript is a character or number printed slightly below the normal line of text. The most common use is in chemistry and math: H₂O (water), where the 2 sits below the line. You also see subscripts in footnotes, chemical formulas, and mathematical equations. Most word processors and text editors let you create subscripts with a keyboard shortcut or a menu option.

The opposite of subscript is superscript, which sits above the line — like the 2 in x². Both are called "vertical alignment" formatting because they move the character up or down relative to the baseline.

Key Takeaways

  • In Microsoft Word, select the character you want as subscript and press Ctrl+= (Windows) or Cmd+= (Mac).
  • In Google Docs, select the character, then go to Format > Text > Subscript from the menu.
  • Most web-based text editors do not have a subscript button, so you may need to use HTML code or copy-paste from another program.
  • Subscript formatting is visual only — it does not change the actual text, so a subscripted 2 is still the character "2" to a screen reader or search engine.

Making subscripts in Microsoft Word

Select the character or number you want to make subscript. Then press Ctrl+= on Windows or Cmd+= on Mac. The character will drop below the line when ready. Press the same keys again to remove the subscript formatting.

If the keyboard shortcut does not work, you can use the menu instead. Select the character, then go to Home > Font dialog (the small arrow in the bottom right of the Font section) > Effects tab > check the Subscript box. Click OK.

You can also right-click the selected character and choose Font, which opens the same dialog. This method is slower but works if you forget the shortcut.

Making subscripts in Google Docs

Select the character you want to subscript. Then go to Format in the menu bar, click Text, and choose Subscript. The character will drop below the line. To undo it, select the character again and choose Format > Text > Subscript a second time.

Google Docs also has a keyboard shortcut: Ctrl+, (comma) on Windows or Cmd+, on Mac. This is faster once you remember it, but the menu route works if you are unsure.

Making subscripts in other programs

LibreOffice Writer uses the same keyboard shortcut as Word: Ctrl+= on Windows or Cmd+= on Mac. Apple Pages uses Cmd+Ctrl+B for subscript. In both programs, you can also find the option in the Format menu under Character or Text formatting.

Most web-based text editors — like the text box in Gmail, Slack, or a comment field — do not have a subscript button. If you need a subscript in one of these places, you have two options: type the text in Word or Google Docs, format it there, then copy and paste it into the web field. Or use HTML code if the field accepts it: <sub>2</sub> will display as a subscript 2 in any browser.

When subscript formatting does not work

Some programs strip out subscript formatting when you copy and paste. If you paste text with subscripts into a new document and the formatting disappears, the receiving program does not support it. Try pasting as plain text first, then reapplying the subscript in the new location.

Email clients vary widely. Gmail preserves subscripts, but Outlook sometimes does not. If you are sending a document with subscripts to someone else, save it as a PDF or Word file instead of pasting into email. That way the formatting stays intact no matter what program the recipient uses.

Superscript: the opposite of subscript

If you need a character above the line instead of below, use superscript. In Word, press Ctrl+Shift+= on Windows or Cmd+Shift+= on Mac. In Google Docs, go to Format > Text > Superscript. The keyboard shortcut in Google Docs is Ctrl+. (period) on Windows or Cmd+. on Mac.

Superscript is used for exponents (x²), footnote markers, and trademark symbols (™). The process is identical to subscript — select the character and explore the formatting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make multiple characters subscript at once?

Yes. Select all the characters you want to subscript together, then explore the formatting. For example, to make H₂O, select just the "2" and explore subscript. If you want H₂O₃, select both the "2" and "3" together, then explore subscript once.

Does subscript formatting affect how the text is read aloud?

No. Screen readers and text-to-speech programs read subscripted text the same way as normal text. A subscripted 2 is still read as "2". If you are writing for accessibility, consider adding a text description: "H2O (water)" instead of just "H₂O".

What if my keyboard does not have an equals sign?

On some international keyboards, the equals sign is in a different location. Look for the key that produces "=" when you press it. If you cannot find it, use the menu method instead — Format > Font > Subscript — which works on any keyboard.

Can I make subscripts in PowerPoint?

Yes. Select the character in your text box, then press Ctrl+= on Windows or Cmd+= on Mac. You can also go to Home > Font dialog > Effects > Subscript. PowerPoint uses the same formatting as Word.

Will subscript formatting stay if I convert my document to PDF?

Yes. When you export or save a Word or Google Docs file as PDF, subscripts and superscripts stay in place. The formatting is preserved in the PDF file.