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+= (Ctrl and the equals sign) on Windows, or Cmd+= on Mac. The text will shrink and drop below the baseline immediately. To return to normal text, select it again and press the same keyboard shortcut a second time to toggle it off.
If you prefer using the menu instead of a keyboard shortcut, you can go to the Home tab, find the Font group, and click the small arrow in the bottom right corner to open the Font dialog. Check the Subscript box, then click OK. This method takes longer but works the same way.
Superscript (text that sits above the line, like an exponent) uses the same process: select your text and press Ctrl+Shift+= on Windows or Cmd+Shift+= on Mac. The keyboard shortcut is faster than hunting through menus, especially if you're adding multiple subscripts or superscripts in one document.
Key Takeaways
- Press Ctrl+= (Windows) or Cmd+= (Mac) to make selected text subscript; press the same shortcut again to turn it off.
- Superscript uses Ctrl+Shift+= on Windows or Cmd+Shift+= on Mac and sits above the baseline instead of below.
- You can also access subscript and superscript through the Home tab's Font dialog if you prefer menus over keyboard shortcuts.
- Subscript and superscript formatting stays with the text when you copy and paste it to other parts of your document or other programs.
Using the Format menu for subscript and superscript
If the keyboard shortcut doesn't work or you want a visual way to see your options, the Format menu gives you direct access. Click Format in the top menu bar, then select Text, and you'll see both Subscript and Superscript as clickable options. This route is slower than the keyboard shortcut but useful if you forget which keys to press.
The Format menu method also shows you a preview of what your text will look like before you apply it, which can help if you're unsure whether you want subscript or superscript. Once you click the option, Word applies the formatting instantly and you can continue typing or select new text to format.
When subscript and superscript don't work as expected
Sometimes the keyboard shortcut doesn't respond, usually because your keyboard layout is different or you're using a laptop keyboard without a dedicated number pad. If Ctrl+= doesn't work, try using the Format menu instead—it will always work regardless of your keyboard type.
Another common issue is that subscript or superscript formatting disappears when you paste text from another source like a website or email. Word sometimes strips formatting during paste operations. To fix this, paste the text as plain text first (use Paste Special and choose Unformatted Text), then apply subscript or superscript formatting yourself.
If you're working in a template or a document with strict formatting rules, your subscript or superscript might not look the way you expect. This happens when the template's font or style settings override your formatting. You can usually fix it by selecting the text and reapplying the subscript or superscript shortcut, or by changing the font to one that supports these features clearly.
Subscript and superscript in chemical formulas and math
Subscript is especially useful for writing chemical formulas like H₂O or CO₂. Type the main text first (H2O), then select just the number, and press Ctrl+= to make it subscript. For longer formulas with multiple subscripts, format each number one at a time after you've typed the whole thing.
Superscript works the same way for exponents, footnote numbers, and mathematical expressions. If you're writing something like x² + y³, type it normally first, then select each number and apply superscript formatting. This approach is faster and more reliable than trying to type subscript or superscript directly.
Removing subscript and superscript formatting
To remove subscript or superscript from text, select the formatted text and press the same keyboard shortcut you used to apply it. Pressing Ctrl+= a second time on subscript text will turn it off and return the text to normal size and position. The same works for superscript with Ctrl+Shift+=.
If you want to remove formatting from a whole section at once, select all the text you want to fix and press Ctrl+Spacebar on Windows or Cmd+Spacebar on Mac. This clears all direct formatting (including subscript, superscript, bold, and italic) and returns the text to the default style for that paragraph. Use this carefully, as it removes all formatting, not just subscript or superscript.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make subscript or superscript the default for a whole paragraph?
No, subscript and superscript are character-level formatting, not paragraph-level. You have to apply them to individual words or numbers. If you need subscript or superscript throughout a document, create a style that includes the formatting, then apply that style to the text you want formatted.
Does subscript work the same way in Word Online as in the desktop version?
Word Online has subscript and superscript options in the Home tab's Font group, but the keyboard shortcuts may not work the same way depending on your browser. Use the menu instead: click Home, find the subscript or superscript button in the Font section, and click it after selecting your text.
What if my subscript text is too small to read?
Word automatically shrinks subscript text, but you can adjust the size manually. Select the subscript text, go to Format > Font, and increase the font size in the Size field. You can also change the position to move it lower or higher without changing the size, giving you more control over how it looks.
Can I use subscript and superscript in headers and footers?
Yes, subscript and superscript work in headers, footers, and any other part of a Word document. Select the text and use the same keyboard shortcut or menu option. The formatting will stay in place when you print or share the document.