Subscript and superscript are small characters positioned below or above the regular text line
Subscript is a smaller character that sits below the baseline of regular text. Superscript is a smaller character that sits above the baseline. Both are used in scientific notation, chemical formulas, mathematical equations, and footnote references. For example, H₂O uses subscript for the 2, and E=mc² uses superscript for the 2.
The method to type subscript or superscript depends on what program you are using — Microsoft Word, Google Docs, email, or a web browser all have different steps. Some programs offer keyboard shortcuts, while others require you to use a menu or toolbar button.
Key Takeaways
- In Microsoft Word, select the character you want to make subscript or superscript, then use Ctrl+= for subscript or Ctrl+Shift+= for superscript on Windows, or Cmd+= and Cmd+Shift+= on Mac.
- In Google Docs, highlight the text, then go to Format > Text > Subscript or Superscript from the menu bar.
- Most email programs and web browsers do not have built-in subscript or superscript buttons, so you may need to copy the character from another source or use Unicode codes.
- Some programs let you access subscript and superscript through the Font dialog box under the Effects tab.
- If your program does not support subscript or superscript formatting, you can sometimes type the character in a different program and paste it into your document.
How to make subscript in Microsoft Word
Open your document and type the text normally. Position your cursor right before the character or number you want to make subscript. Click and drag to select only that character or number — do not select the space before it or after it.
On Windows, hold Ctrl and press the equals sign (=). On Mac, hold Cmd and press the equals sign (=). The selected character will immediately shrink and move below the baseline. If you want to return to normal text, select the subscript character again and press the same keyboard shortcut a second time to toggle it off.
If the keyboard shortcut does not work, you can use the menu instead. With the character still selected, go to Home > Font dialog launcher (the small arrow in the bottom right of the Font section). Click the Font tab, then check the box next to Subscript. Click OK.
How to make superscript in Microsoft Word
The process for superscript is nearly identical to subscript. Select the character or number you want to raise above the baseline. On Windows, hold Ctrl and Shift and press the equals sign (=). On Mac, hold Cmd and Shift and press the equals sign (=).
The character will shrink and move above the baseline. Press the same shortcut again to turn off superscript formatting. You can also use the Font dialog box: go to Home > Font dialog launcher, click the Font tab, check Superscript, and click OK.
How to make subscript and superscript in Google Docs
Type your text normally in Google Docs. Highlight the character or number you want to format by clicking and dragging across it. Go to the Format menu at the top of the page, then click Text. A submenu will appear with options including Subscript and Superscript. Click the one you need.
The character will format immediately. To remove the formatting, highlight the character again, go to Format > Text, and click the same option a second time to toggle it off. Google Docs does not have a keyboard shortcut for subscript and superscript, so the menu is the only method.
Subscript and superscript in email and web browsers
Most email programs (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo Mail) do not have built-in subscript or superscript buttons in the compose window. If you need to send an email with subscript or superscript, type the text in Microsoft Word or Google Docs first, format it there, then copy and paste it into your email. The formatting will usually carry over.
Web browsers and text fields on websites typically do not support subscript or superscript formatting at all. If you are filling out a form online and need to type a subscript or superscript character, you have two options: type it in Word or Docs and paste it, or use a Unicode character code if the website supports it. Not all websites accept pasted formatting, so test with a small section first.
Using Unicode codes for subscript and superscript
Unicode is a system that assigns a unique code to every character in the world, including subscript and superscript numbers and letters. If your program does not have a subscript or superscript button, you can sometimes type the character directly using its Unicode code.
On Windows, hold Alt and type the code number on the numeric keypad (not the number row at the top of the keyboard), then release Alt. On Mac, the process varies by program and is more complicated. Common subscript codes include Alt+8320 for subscript 0, Alt+8321 for subscript 1, and Alt+8322 for subscript 2. Common superscript codes include Alt+8304 for superscript 0, Alt+185 for superscript 2, and Alt+179 for superscript 3. Not all programs accept Unicode codes, so this method does not work everywhere.
What to do if subscript or superscript is not available
If you are using a program that does not support subscript or superscript and you cannot paste from another source, you have limited options. You can type the character in parentheses or brackets as a workaround — for example, typing H(2)O instead of H₂O, or E=mc(2) instead of E=mc². This is not ideal for formal documents, but it communicates the meaning clearly.
Another option is to take a screenshot of the subscript or superscript text from a program that does support it, then insert the image into your document. This works for single characters or short formulas but is impractical for large amounts of text. For most situations, copying from Word or Docs and pasting into your destination is the fastest solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my keyboard shortcut for subscript not work?
The most common reason is that you are using the number row at the top of the keyboard instead of the numeric keypad on the right side. Make sure Num Lock is on. Also check that you have actually selected the character you want to format — if nothing is selected, the shortcut will not do anything. If you are using a laptop without a numeric keypad, try the menu method instead.
Can I make an entire word subscript or superscript?
Yes. Select the entire word by clicking and dragging across all the letters, then use the keyboard shortcut or menu option. The whole word will format at once. This is useful for chemical names or mathematical variables, though it is less common than formatting single characters or numbers.
Will subscript and superscript formatting stay when I copy and paste?
Usually yes, but it depends on where you are pasting. Pasting from Word into Google Docs, email, or another Word document almost always preserves the formatting. Pasting into a plain text field or a website form usually does not. If the formatting disappears, you will need to reformat it in the destination program.
Is there a subscript or superscript option on my phone or tablet?
Most phone keyboards and tablet apps do not have built-in subscript or superscript buttons. On iPhone, you can sometimes access special characters by holding down a key, but subscript and superscript are rarely included. For mobile devices, copying and pasting from a computer is usually the easiest method.