The quickest way to add subscript in Word

To type subscript in Microsoft Word, select the text you want to make smaller and lower, then press Ctrl + = (on Windows) or Cmd + = (on Mac). The text shrinks and drops below the baseline immediately. To turn subscript off, select the text again and press the same key combination, or click elsewhere and start typing normally.

If you need superscript instead — text that sits above the line — use Ctrl + Shift + = on Windows or Cmd + Shift + = on Mac. The keyboard shortcut is the same except you hold Shift as well.

Both shortcuts work in Word 2016 and later, on both Windows and Mac versions. If the shortcut does not work, your keyboard layout or language settings may be interfering; the menu method below will work regardless.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Ctrl + = (Windows) or Cmd + = (Mac) to make selected text subscript; press the same keys again to turn it off.
  • Press Ctrl + Shift + = (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + = (Mac) to make selected text superscript.
  • If keyboard shortcuts do not work, open the Format menu, choose Character or Font, and check the Effects tab for subscript or superscript options.
  • You can also right-click selected text, choose Font, and find subscript and superscript checkboxes in the dialog box.
  • Subscript and superscript formatting is preserved when you copy, paste, or print, but may be lost if you save as plain text.

Using the Format menu when shortcuts do not work

If the keyboard shortcut does not respond, the menu method works on any version of Word. Select the text you want to format, then open the Format menu at the top of the screen.

In Word for Windows, click Format > Text > Subscript or Superscript. In Word for Mac, click Format > Character, then find the Effects tab and check the box next to Subscript or Superscript. Click OK when you are done.

The text changes immediately. To remove subscript or superscript, select the text again and repeat the same steps, unchecking the box or clicking the option a second time. This method is reliable across all Word versions and keyboard layouts.

Right-click method for quick access

You can also format text by right-clicking it. Select the text you want to make subscript or superscript, then right-click and choose Font from the menu that appears.

A dialog box opens. Look for the Effects tab or section (the exact name varies by Word version). You will see checkboxes for Subscript and Superscript. Check the one you need and click OK. The formatting applies to your selected text immediately.

This method works the same way on Windows and Mac, and it is often faster than navigating the Format menu if you are already using the mouse.

Typing subscript and superscript as you go

You do not have to format text after you type it. You can turn subscript or superscript on before you type, then turn it off when you are done. Press Ctrl + = to turn subscript on, type your text, then press Ctrl + = again to turn it off. The same works for superscript with Ctrl + Shift + =.

This method is useful when you are typing a chemical formula, mathematical equation, or footnote number and want to avoid selecting text afterward. Type normally, activate subscript or superscript, type the special characters, then deactivate it and continue with regular text.

Many writers find this approach faster than selecting text after the fact, especially when subscript or superscript appears frequently in a document.

Common uses for subscript and superscript

Subscript appears most often in chemistry (H₂O, CO₂) and mathematics (x₁, a₂). Superscript is used for exponents (x², 2³), footnote and endnote numbers, trademark symbols (™), and registered marks (®).

In academic and scientific writing, these formats are standard. Word recognizes them as formatting rather than separate characters, so they copy, paste, and print correctly in any document that opens the file. This makes subscript and superscript reliable for sharing documents with colleagues or submitting to publishers.

Adjusting the size and appearance of subscript and superscript

Word sets subscript and superscript to a fixed smaller size by default, usually around 58 percent of the regular text size. For most documents, this default size is appropriate and matches academic and professional standards.

If you need to change the size, select the text, open Format > Character (Windows) or Format > Character (Mac), find the Effects tab, and look for a size option next to Subscript or Superscript. You can adjust the percentage there, though most people leave it at the default to maintain consistency with standard formatting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does subscript and superscript work in all Word documents?

Yes. Subscript and superscript are built-in formatting options in Word 2016 and later. They work in .docx files and most other formats Word can open. If you save as .txt or plain text, the formatting may be lost because plain text does not support it.

What if the keyboard shortcut types a different character instead?

This usually means your keyboard layout is set to a language other than English, or your keyboard hardware does not have a = key in the expected place. Use the Format menu or right-click method instead — they work regardless of keyboard layout.

Can I undo subscript or superscript formatting?

Yes. Select the text and press Ctrl + Z (Windows) or Cmd + Z (Mac) to undo the last action. You can also select the text and press the same subscript or superscript shortcut again to toggle it off.

Will subscript and superscript look the same when someone else opens my document?

Yes, as long as they open it in Word or another program that supports the .docx format. The formatting is embedded in the file, so subscript and superscript will display correctly on any computer.