The fastest way to add subscript in Word

To add subscript in Microsoft Word, select the text or number you want to make smaller and lowered, then press Ctrl+= (Ctrl and the equals sign) on your keyboard. The selected text will immediately shrink and move below the baseline. To undo it, select the text again and press the same shortcut.

If you're on a Mac, use Cmd+= instead. This works in Word for Windows, Word for Mac, and Word Online. The shortcut is the fastest method because you don't have to navigate menus or dialog boxes. You must select the text first—the formatting won't work if you press the shortcut before typing.

Superscript (text raised above the line, like in exponents or footnote numbers) uses the same process but with a different shortcut: Ctrl+Shift+= on Windows or Cmd+Shift+= on Mac. Both shortcuts toggle the formatting on and off, so pressing them twice returns text to normal.

Key Takeaways

  • Subscript uses Ctrl+= (Windows) or Cmd+= (Mac); superscript uses Ctrl+Shift+= (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+= (Mac).
  • You must select the text first, then apply the shortcut—the formatting won't work if you type the shortcut before the text.
  • The Home tab in the ribbon also has subscript and superscript buttons if you prefer clicking over keyboard shortcuts.
  • Subscript and superscript can be mixed in the same document and work with any font or text size.
  • Pressing the same shortcut a second time removes the formatting and returns text to normal baseline position.

Using the ribbon menu instead of keyboard shortcuts

If keyboard shortcuts don't work for you or you prefer using the mouse, the ribbon menu offers the same formatting options. Select the text you want to format, then go to the Home tab at the top of the Word window.

In the ribbon, look for the Font group. You'll see an "x" with a small number below it (subscript) and an "x" with a small number above it (superscript). Click the subscript or superscript button to apply the formatting. Click it again to remove the formatting and return the text to normal size and position.

This method takes slightly longer than the keyboard shortcut but works the same way. Some people find it easier to remember visually where the button is rather than memorize the key combination. Both approaches produce identical results in your document.

Subscript and superscript in Word Online

Word Online (the browser version you access through Office.com) has the same subscript and superscript buttons in the Home tab ribbon. The keyboard shortcuts also work in Word Online on most browsers, though some browsers may intercept certain key combinations.

If the keyboard shortcut doesn't work in your browser, it may be because your browser is intercepting the key combination for its own use. In that case, use the ribbon buttons instead. The formatting will save automatically to your document in OneDrive or SharePoint, and you can access it from any device.

Common uses for subscript and superscript

Subscript is most common in chemistry formulas (H₂O, CO₂) and mathematical notation where you need to show elements or variables with numerical subscripts. Superscript appears in footnote and endnote markers, exponents (x²), trademark symbols (™), and copyright notices.

Both formats work with any font in Word, though some fonts display them more clearly than others. If you're writing a document with many subscripts or superscripts, test your chosen font to make sure the smaller text remains readable. Times New Roman and Calibri both handle subscript and superscript clearly, making them good choices for technical or scientific documents.

Removing subscript or superscript formatting

To remove subscript or superscript, select the formatted text and press the same shortcut again. For example, if text is subscript and you press Ctrl+=, it will return to normal size and baseline position. This toggle method works consistently across all Word versions and platforms.

You can also select the text and click the subscript or superscript button in the ribbon a second time to toggle it off. If you've applied both subscript and superscript to the same text (which is unusual and generally not recommended), you'll need to remove them one at a time using either method.

Subscript and superscript in different Word versions

The keyboard shortcuts and ribbon buttons work the same way in Word 2016, Word 2019, Word 2021, and Microsoft 365. If you're using an older version of Word (2010 or earlier), the ribbon layout may be slightly different, but the Home tab and Font group are in the same location and contain the same buttons.

Word for iPad and Word for iPhone have limited formatting options compared to desktop versions. On mobile devices, you may need to use the web version (Word Online) to access subscript and superscript reliably. Check the app's menu to see if these options are available in your version, as mobile Word apps continue to add features over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn't the keyboard shortcut work for subscript?

The most common reason is that you didn't select the text before pressing the shortcut. You must highlight the text first, then press Ctrl+= (or Cmd+= on Mac). If the shortcut still doesn't work, try using the ribbon buttons instead—your keyboard layout or software may be blocking the key combination.

Can I make subscript or superscript text a different size?

Yes. After applying subscript or superscript, select the text again and change the font size using the font size dropdown in the Home tab or by pressing Ctrl+[ to make it smaller or Ctrl+] to make it larger. The text will remain subscript or superscript while you adjust its size.

Does subscript work in all fonts?

Subscript and superscript work in all fonts, but some fonts display them more clearly than others. If your subscript text looks too small or hard to read, try a different font or increase the font size slightly before applying subscript formatting.

Can I use subscript in headers or footers?

Yes. The subscript and superscript shortcuts work anywhere in your Word document, including headers, footers, text boxes, and tables. Select the text and apply the formatting the same way you would in the main document body.

What's the difference between subscript and superscript?

Subscript moves text below the baseline and makes it smaller, used for chemical formulas and mathematical notation. Superscript raises text above the baseline and makes it smaller, used for exponents, footnote markers, and trademark symbols. They use different keyboard shortcuts but work the same way otherwise.