The quickest way to add a subscript in Word

To add a subscript in Microsoft Word, select the text or number you want to make smaller and raised or lowered, then press Ctrl + = (on Windows) or Cmd + = (on Mac). The selected character will immediately drop below the baseline. To undo it, select the text again and press the same keys.

For a superscript instead — text that sits above the line — use Ctrl + Shift + = on Windows or Cmd + Shift + = on Mac. Both shortcuts work in any version of Word from 2010 onward, and they toggle on and off, so pressing them twice returns the text to normal.

If the keyboard shortcut does not work on your machine, you may have a different keyboard layout or language setting. The menu route works everywhere and takes only a few extra clicks.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Ctrl + = (Windows) or Cmd + = (Mac) to make selected text a subscript; press the same keys again to remove it.
  • Press Ctrl + Shift + = (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + = (Mac) for a superscript instead.
  • If keyboard shortcuts do not work, use the Format menu: Format > Text > Subscript or Superscript.
  • You can also right-click selected text and choose Font to access subscript and superscript options in the dialog box.

Using the Format menu when shortcuts do not work

Open the document and select the character or word you want to format. Click the Format menu at the top of the window. In the dropdown, look for Text (in some versions it may say Character). A submenu will appear with the option Subscript or Superscript — click whichever you need.

The text will format immediately. To remove the formatting, select the text again and click Format > Text > Subscript (or Superscript) a second time. This method works the same way on Windows and Mac versions of Word.

The Font dialog box method

Select the text you want to format. Right-click it and choose Font from the context menu. The Font dialog box will open. Look for the Effects tab (or scroll down if you are already in the Font tab). You will see checkboxes for Superscript and Subscript. Check the box next to the one you want and click OK.

This method gives you a preview of the change before you confirm it, which can be helpful if you are formatting a longer passage. You can also adjust the font size of the subscript or superscript from this same dialog if you want it larger or smaller than Word's default.

Formatting multiple subscripts or superscripts at once

If your document has many subscripts or superscripts — for example, a chemistry paper with chemical formulas — you can format them one at a time using any of the methods above, or you can use Find and Replace to speed up the process for repeated patterns.

Open Find and Replace by pressing Ctrl + H (Windows) or Cmd + H (Mac). Type the text you want to find in the "Find" field. Click in the "Replace" field and type the same text. Then click the Format button (or arrow) below the Replace field, select Font, check Subscript or Superscript, and click Replace All. Word will replace every instance and apply the formatting automatically.

Common uses for subscripts and superscripts

Subscripts appear most often in scientific and mathematical writing: chemical formulas like H₂O, footnote numbers in some citation styles, and mathematical notation. Superscripts are used for exponents (x²), trademark symbols (™), registered marks (®), and footnote or endnote references.

In academic papers, always check your citation style guide — MLA, APA, Chicago, and others have specific rules about whether footnotes should use superscript numbers or regular numbers in brackets. If you are writing a formal document, use subscripts and superscripts only where the style guide requires them, not for decorative purposes.

Troubleshooting subscripts and superscripts

If you format text as a subscript or superscript and it does not appear to change, check that you have actually selected the text. A common mistake is clicking once to place the cursor and then pressing the shortcut — you must drag to select the text first, or the formatting will not apply.

If the keyboard shortcut produces a different result (like opening a menu or changing the zoom level), your keyboard may have a different layout or your system may have reassigned the keys. In that case, use the Format menu or right-click method instead. Both are equally fast once you know where to find them.

If subscript or superscript text looks too small or too large compared to the rest of your document, you can select it and adjust the font size manually. Select the formatted text, then change the font size in the toolbar or use Ctrl + ] to increase or Ctrl + [ to decrease the size.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make subscripts or superscripts in Google Docs or other programs?

Yes. Google Docs uses Format > Text > Subscript or Superscript from the menu. LibreOffice and OpenOffice use the same menu path. The keyboard shortcuts differ by program, so the menu method is most reliable if you switch between applications.

Will subscripts and superscripts print correctly?

Yes, they will print exactly as they appear on screen. However, if you are converting the document to PDF or sending it to someone using an older version of Word, test it first to make sure the formatting stays intact. Most modern software handles subscripts and superscripts without problems.

What if I need to type subscripts or superscripts frequently?

Use the keyboard shortcuts — they are much faster than the menu once you memorize them. If you type the same subscript repeatedly (like a chemical formula), you can create an AutoCorrect entry so that typing a short code automatically expands to the formatted text.

Can I change the size or color of subscripts and superscripts?

Yes. Select the formatted text and use the font size dropdown or color picker in the toolbar just as you would for regular text. You can also use the Font dialog to set a specific size, color, or style for subscripts and superscripts throughout your document.