Subscript puts text below the baseline in Word
Subscript is a character or number that sits slightly below the line of regular text. In Microsoft Word, you can format subscript in three ways: using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+= (on Windows) or Cmd+= (on Mac), clicking the subscript button in the ribbon, or using the Format menu. The method you choose depends on whether you prefer speed or visibility.
Subscript is useful for chemical formulas (H₂O), mathematical notation (x₂), footnote markers, and scientific writing. Once you apply subscript formatting, the text shrinks and drops below the baseline automatically. You can remove it the same way you applied it — select the text and press the shortcut again, or click the button again.
Key Takeaways
- The fastest way to add subscript is Ctrl+= on Windows or Cmd+= on Mac, applied to text you have already selected.
- You can also click the subscript button (an "x" with a small number below it) in the Home tab of the ribbon.
- Subscript formatting shrinks the text and moves it below the baseline, but does not change the actual characters.
- To remove subscript, select the formatted text and press the same keyboard shortcut or button again.
Using the keyboard shortcut on Windows
Select the character or number you want to format as subscript by clicking and dragging across it. Then press Ctrl+= (hold Control and press the equals sign). The text will immediately drop below the baseline and shrink. If you need to format multiple separate subscripts in the same document, you can repeat this process for each one without closing Word or changing any settings.
To undo subscript formatting, select the subscripted text again and press Ctrl+= a second time. The text will return to normal size and position on the baseline.
Using the keyboard shortcut on Mac
On a Mac, select the text you want to subscript and press Cmd+= (hold Command and press the equals sign). The formatting applies instantly. This shortcut works the same way as the Windows version — one press applies subscript, and pressing it again removes the formatting.
If your keyboard does not have an equals sign in the expected location, or if the shortcut does not work, you can use the ribbon method instead, which is visible and does not depend on keyboard layout.
Using the subscript button in the ribbon
Open the Home tab if it is not already visible. Look for the subscript button in the Font group — it looks like an "x" with a small "2" positioned below and to the right. Select your text first, then click the subscript button. The text will format immediately.
The button works as a toggle: click it once to apply subscript, click it again to remove subscript. This method is slower than the keyboard shortcut but makes it clear what formatting you are applying, especially if you are new to Word or prefer not to memorize shortcuts.
Using the Format menu
Select the text you want to format. Click the Format menu at the top of the window, then choose Text, then Subscript. Word will apply the formatting and return you to your document. This route takes more clicks than the button or shortcut, but it is available if the ribbon is hidden or if you prefer menu navigation.
On some versions of Word, the menu path may be Format > Character instead, which opens a dialog box with subscript as a checkbox option. Either way, the result is the same — your selected text becomes subscript.
Subscript versus superscript
Superscript is the opposite of subscript — it sits above the baseline instead of below. In Word, superscript uses the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Shift+= on Windows or Cmd+Shift+= on Mac. Superscript is used for exponents (x²), trademark symbols (™), and footnote numbers, while subscript is used for chemical formulas and mathematical subscripts.
Both formatting options shrink the text and move it relative to the baseline. You cannot apply both subscript and superscript to the same character at the same time — applying one will remove the other. Choose based on whether your text needs to sit above or below the line.
Subscript in tables and headers
Subscript formatting works the same way inside tables, headers, footers, and text boxes as it does in the main document body. Select the text, apply the subscript formatting using any of the three methods, and Word will format it correctly. This is useful if you are writing a scientific paper with subscripted variables in a table or a chemistry document with subscripted formulas in a header.
If you are copying and pasting text that already has subscript formatting, Word will preserve the subscript in the new location. If you paste into a program that does not support subscript (like plain text email), the subscript formatting will be lost, but the characters themselves will remain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make subscript the default for certain text?
No, subscript is a character-level formatting choice that you apply to individual text each time. However, if you use subscript frequently for a specific purpose (like chemical notation), you can create a keyboard shortcut or a style that includes subscript formatting, then apply that style to new text instead of formatting manually each time.
Does subscript change the actual characters in my document?
No. Subscript is formatting only — it changes how the text looks on screen and in print, but the underlying characters remain the same. If you copy subscripted text into a plain text file, it will appear as normal text because plain text does not support formatting.
Why does my subscript look different in print than on screen?
Different fonts render subscript differently, and printer settings can affect how subscript appears on the page. If subscript looks wrong in print, try changing the font or checking your printer settings. Some fonts have better subscript support than others — Times New Roman and Calibri usually render subscript clearly.
Can I subscript multiple words at once?
Yes. Select all the words you want to subscript by clicking and dragging across them, then apply subscript formatting. Word will subscript the entire selection. However, subscripting multiple words is rare — subscript is usually applied to single characters or short numbers.