Subscript puts text below the baseline; superscript puts it above

Subscript is a smaller character positioned below the line of regular text. In Word, you use it for chemical formulas (H₂O), footnote numbers, or mathematical notation. Superscript is the opposite — a smaller character above the line, used for exponents (x²), trademark symbols, or citations. Both are formatting options built into Word; you do not need add-ons or special fonts.

The fastest way is to select the text you want to format, then use the keyboard shortcut. For subscript, press Ctrl+= (Ctrl and the equals sign). For superscript, press Ctrl+Shift+= (Ctrl, Shift, and equals). The text shrinks and moves immediately. If you need to undo it, select the text again and press the same shortcut to toggle it off.

Key Takeaways

  • Subscript (Ctrl+=) places text below the baseline and is used for chemical formulas, footnotes, and mathematical subscripts.
  • Superscript (Ctrl+Shift+=) places text above the baseline and is used for exponents, citations, and trademark symbols.
  • You can also access both options through the Home tab: select text, then click the subscript or superscript button in the Font group.
  • The formatting applies only to selected text, so you must highlight what you want to change before using the shortcut or menu.

Using the keyboard shortcut

Select the character or characters you want to format. Click and drag to highlight them, or double-click a single word. Then press Ctrl+= for subscript or Ctrl+Shift+= for superscript. The text will shrink and reposition instantly.

If you are typing new text and want it to be subscript or superscript from the start, position your cursor where you want the formatted text to begin, press the shortcut, type the characters, then press the shortcut again to turn off the formatting. This way you do not have to select text after typing.

Using the Home tab menu

Open the Home tab at the top of the Word window. In the Font group (the section with Bold, Italic, and Underline buttons), look for the subscript and superscript buttons. They are small buttons with an "x" and a small number either below or above it. Select your text first, then click the button you need.

If you do not see these buttons, your Font group may be collapsed. Click the small arrow at the bottom right of the Font group to expand it and see all available options. The subscript and superscript buttons will appear there.

Formatting multiple instances in the same document

If you have the same subscript or superscript text appearing several times (for example, the "2" in H₂O throughout a chemistry document), you can format each one individually using the methods above. Word does not have a "find and replace with formatting" feature that works specifically for subscript or superscript, so you will need to select and format each instance.

A workaround is to use Find & Replace to locate the text, then format it. Open Find & Replace with Ctrl+H, type the text you want to find, click Replace All to highlight all instances, then close the dialog and apply the subscript or superscript formatting to each highlighted section. This is slower than the keyboard shortcut for each instance, but it helps you see where the text appears.

Removing subscript or superscript formatting

Select the formatted text and press the same keyboard shortcut again. Ctrl+= toggles subscript off if it is already on; Ctrl+Shift+= toggles superscript off. The text will return to normal size and position on the baseline.

You can also select the text and click the subscript or superscript button in the Home tab a second time to turn off the formatting.

Common uses for subscript and superscript

Subscript is standard in chemistry (H₂O, CO₂, Ca²⁺), mathematics (x₁, a₂), and footnote numbering. Superscript is used for exponents (2³, x²), citations and references (Smith¹), trademark and copyright symbols (™, ©), and ordinal numbers in some contexts (1ˢᵗ, 2ⁿᵈ).

In academic and technical writing, these formats are expected. Using them correctly makes your document look professional and ensures readers understand the notation. Word handles the sizing and positioning automatically once you apply the formatting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the size of subscript or superscript text?

Word sets the size automatically when you apply subscript or superscript formatting. If you want to adjust it further, select the text, then change the font size in the Home tab. However, most documents follow standard sizing, so manual adjustment is rarely necessary.

Does subscript and superscript work in all fonts?

Yes, the formatting works in any font. Word shrinks and repositions the text regardless of which typeface you are using. Some fonts may render subscript and superscript slightly differently, but the feature is universal.

What if the keyboard shortcut does not work?

Make sure you are using the equals sign on the main keyboard, not the numpad. On some keyboards, you may need to hold Shift to access the equals sign. If it still does not work, use the Home tab menu instead — select your text and click the subscript or superscript button directly.

Can I make subscript or superscript the default for certain text?

You can create a style that includes subscript or superscript formatting, then apply that style to text throughout your document. Open the Styles pane (Ctrl+Alt+Shift+S), create a new style, apply subscript or superscript formatting to it, then use that style whenever you need it. This is useful for documents with many instances of the same formatted text.