How to add superscript and subscript in Word
Superscript raises text above the line (like the 2 in E=mc²), and subscript lowers it below (like the 2 in H₂O). Word has three ways to do this: the keyboard shortcut, the Home tab ribbon, or the Format menu. The keyboard shortcut is fastest if you use these formats often. All three methods work the same way — you select the text first, then apply the format.
The text you want to format must already exist in your document. You cannot type superscript or subscript directly without selecting text first. Once you apply the format, Word shrinks the text size automatically and positions it above or below the baseline. This matters for documents like scientific papers, mathematical equations, chemical formulas, or footnote references where these formats appear regularly.
Word stores your formatting choice, so if you format one superscript and then select new text, you can apply the same format without reselecting the option. This makes working through a document with many superscripts or subscripts much faster than it would be if you had to choose the format each time.
Key Takeaways
- Select the text you want to format before applying superscript or subscript — you cannot format text as you type.
- Ctrl+Shift+Plus applies superscript; Ctrl+Shift+Minus applies subscript on Windows machines.
- On Mac, use Cmd+Shift+Plus for superscript and Cmd+Shift+Minus for subscript.
- The Home tab ribbon offers a button for each format if you prefer clicking over keyboard shortcuts.
- You can remove superscript or subscript by selecting the text again and pressing the same shortcut a second time.
Using keyboard shortcuts (fastest method)
On Windows, select the text and press Ctrl+Shift+Plus for superscript or Ctrl+Shift+Minus for subscript. The plus and minus refer to the keys on the main keyboard, not the numeric keypad. Word applies the format instantly and keeps the text selected so you can continue editing or move to the next piece of text you need to format.
On Mac, use Cmd+Shift+Plus for superscript and Cmd+Shift+Minus for subscript. The behavior is identical to Windows — the format applies immediately and the text stays selected. If you are working on a Mac and the shortcut does not work, check that you are using the plus and minus keys on the main keyboard row, not on the numeric keypad.
To remove the format, select the text again and press the same shortcut a second time. This toggles the format off. If you select text that is already superscript and press Ctrl+Shift+Plus again, it returns to normal text. The same toggle works for subscript — press the subscript shortcut twice to remove subscript formatting.
Using the Home tab ribbon
Open the Home tab at the top of Word. In the Font section, you will see an X with a small raised number (superscript) and an X with a small lowered number (subscript). Select your text first, then click the button you need. Both buttons are usually located near the Bold and Italic buttons in the Font group.
The buttons work as toggles. Click once to apply the format, click again to remove it. This method is slower than the keyboard shortcut but does not require memorizing key combinations. The buttons are visible at all times, so you can see them without opening a menu. If you cannot find the buttons, look for a small dropdown arrow in the Font section — clicking it opens additional formatting options including superscript and subscript.
Using the Format menu
Select the text you want to format. Click the Format menu at the top, then choose Text. A submenu appears with options for Superscript and Subscript. Click the one you need. The format applies immediately to your selected text.
This route takes more clicks than the ribbon or keyboard, so most people use it only if they forget the other methods. It works on both Windows and Mac versions of Word. The Format menu approach is reliable if the keyboard shortcut is not working or if you prefer navigating through menus rather than using buttons or key combinations.
Formatting multiple pieces of text in one document
If your document has many superscripts or subscripts — for example, a chemistry paper with multiple chemical formulas or a math document with exponents — use the keyboard shortcut. It is much faster than clicking the ribbon button each time. You can format one piece, move to the next, select it, and press the shortcut again without moving your hands from the keyboard.
If you have already formatted some text and want to apply the same format to other text elsewhere in the document, select the new text and use the same shortcut. Word remembers which format you just used, so the workflow stays consistent. This is especially useful when you are working through a long document where the same type of formatting appears repeatedly.
Removing superscript and subscript
Select the formatted text and press the same keyboard shortcut you used to apply it. For example, if you applied superscript with Ctrl+Shift+Plus, press Ctrl+Shift+Plus again to remove it. The text returns to normal size and position on the baseline. This toggle behavior means you never need to hunt for a separate "remove" option.
You can also click the superscript or subscript button on the Home tab a second time to toggle it off. Either method works — use whichever is faster for you at that moment. If you accidentally apply the wrong format (superscript instead of subscript, for example), simply select the text and apply the correct format. Word will replace the incorrect formatting with the new one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I type in superscript or subscript mode without selecting text first?
No. Word requires you to select text before applying the format. Type the text normally, then select it and apply superscript or subscript. You cannot switch into a mode where everything you type becomes superscript automatically.
Does superscript or subscript change the font or just the position?
Both. Word shrinks the text size and moves it above or below the baseline. The font itself stays the same — only the size and vertical position change. This is why superscript and subscript text looks noticeably smaller than regular text.
Will superscript and subscript formatting stay if I copy and paste the text?
Yes, if you paste as formatted text. If you use Paste Special and choose Unformatted Text, the superscript or subscript formatting will be removed and the text will return to normal. Regular paste (Ctrl+V) keeps the formatting.
What if the keyboard shortcut does not work?
Check that you are using the correct key combination for your operating system (Ctrl on Windows, Cmd on Mac) and that you selected the text before pressing the shortcut. If it still does not work, use the Home tab ribbon or Format menu instead — both are reliable alternatives.
Can I make superscript or subscript text a different size than Word's default?
Yes. After applying superscript or subscript, select the text again and change the font size using the font size dropdown on the Home tab. Word will keep the superscript or subscript positioning while using your chosen size. This is useful if the default size is too small to read in your document.