Subscript puts text below the baseline of regular text

Subscript is text that sits slightly below and smaller than the regular line of text. The most common uses are chemical formulas (H₂O), mathematical notation (x₂), and footnote markers. How you type it depends on which program you are using — there is no single keyboard shortcut that works everywhere.

The fastest method in most programs is a keyboard shortcut or a menu button. If neither exists in your software, you can use special character codes or copy-paste from a character map. The result looks the same regardless of how you create it.

Key Takeaways

  • Microsoft Word and Google Docs both have a subscript button in the toolbar, or you can use Ctrl+= (Windows) or Cmd+= (Mac) after selecting the text.
  • In most programs, you select the text first, then apply subscript formatting — the text does not automatically shrink and lower itself.
  • Some programs like plain text editors do not support subscript at all, so you may need to use a workaround like brackets or a different program.
  • Subscript formatting is built into the document and travels with it; it is not the same as typing a smaller number manually.

Subscript in Microsoft Word

In Word, select the character or number you want to make subscript, then press Ctrl+= on Windows or Cmd+= on Mac. The text will shrink and drop below the baseline immediately.

If the keyboard shortcut does not work, use the menu instead. Select the text, then go to Home tab, find the Font group, and click the small arrow next to the font options. In the dialog box that opens, check the Subscript box under Effects. Click OK.

To undo subscript formatting, select the text again and press Ctrl+= a second time, or uncheck the Subscript box in the same dialog.

Subscript in Google Docs

Select the text you want to make subscript. Go to the Format menu at the top, then choose Text, then Subscript. The text will format immediately.

You can also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+= on Windows or Cmd+= on Mac, the same as Word. To remove subscript, select the text again and use the same shortcut or menu path.

Subscript in other programs

LibreOffice Writer uses Ctrl+Shift+B on Windows or Cmd+Shift+B on Mac. Select the text first, then press the shortcut. Apple Pages has a Format menu with text options; select the text and look for a subscript button or checkbox.

In Excel and Google Sheets, subscript works the same way as in Word and Docs — select the cell content or the text within the cell, then use Ctrl+= or the Format menu. The subscript will display in the cell and in the formula bar.

Plain text editors like Notepad do not support subscript formatting at all. If you need subscript in a plain text file, you will have to use a workaround like typing the number in brackets (H2O becomes H[2]O) or switching to a word processor.

Using special characters if subscript formatting is not available

Some programs and platforms do not support subscript buttons or keyboard shortcuts. In those cases, you can insert subscript characters from your operating system's character map or special character menu.

On Windows, open the Character Map app (search for it in the Start menu), find the subscript number or letter you need, select it, and click Copy. Then paste it into your document. On Mac, use the Special Characters viewer (press Ctrl+Cmd+Space in most programs) to search for and insert subscript characters.

This method is slower than using a keyboard shortcut, but it works in almost any program that accepts text input, including web forms and email.

When subscript does not work the way you expect

If you type a subscript number and it does not appear smaller or lower than the regular text, the program may not support subscript formatting. Check the Format menu or toolbar to confirm subscript is available in that program.

If subscript is available but your text did not change, make sure you selected the text before applying the formatting. Subscript only affects text that is already highlighted. If you apply subscript and then type new text, the new text will not be subscript — you have to select it and apply subscript again.

If you copy text with subscript formatting from one program and paste it into another, the subscript may not carry over. Paste as plain text first, then reapply subscript formatting in the new program if needed.

Subscript versus superscript

Superscript is the opposite of subscript — it sits above and smaller than the regular text. Superscript is used for exponents (x²), trademark symbols (™), and footnote markers. The keyboard shortcut in most programs is Ctrl+Shift+= on Windows or Cmd+Shift+= on Mac.

The process is identical to subscript: select the text, press the shortcut or use the Format menu, and the text will move up instead of down. Both subscript and superscript can be toggled off the same way — select the text and press the shortcut again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I type subscript on my phone or tablet?

Most phone keyboards do not have a subscript button. If you are using Google Docs or Microsoft Word on a phone, open the Format menu and look for text options. Some phones have a special characters keyboard where you can find subscript numbers, but it is usually faster to type the document on a computer.

Does subscript work in email?

It depends on the email program. Gmail and Outlook support subscript if you use the Format menu in the compose window. Plain text email does not support subscript at all. If subscript does not appear in your email, the recipient may see it as regular text or as a special character instead.

What if I need subscript numbers that do not exist?

Most subscript characters available are the numbers 0–9 and a few letters. If you need a subscript character that does not exist, you can type the regular character and manually make it smaller and lower using font size and line spacing adjustments, though this is not true subscript formatting.

Does subscript change the file size?

No. Subscript is just formatting applied to existing text, like making text bold or italic. It does not add extra data to the file or change the file size in any noticeable way.

Can I search for subscript text?

Most programs search for the character itself, not the formatting. If you search for "2" in a document with H₂O, it will find the subscript 2. Some programs have an advanced search option that lets you search by formatting, but this is not common in basic word processors.