The fastest way to add subscript in Word
To add subscript in Microsoft Word, select the text you want to make smaller and raised or lowered, then press Ctrl + = (on Windows) or Cmd + = (on Mac). The text shrinks and moves down below the baseline. To undo it, select the text again and press the same keys.
For superscript — text that sits above the line — use Ctrl + Shift + = on Windows or Cmd + Shift + = on Mac. Both shortcuts work in Word Online, Word for desktop, and Word for Mac.
If you forget the keyboard shortcut, you can also use the menu: select your text, go to the Home tab, and click the small arrow next to the font formatting options. Look for the Effects section and choose Subscript or Superscript.
Key Takeaways
- Subscript (text below the line) uses Ctrl + = on Windows or Cmd + = on Mac; superscript (text above the line) uses Ctrl + Shift + = or Cmd + Shift + =.
- The keyboard shortcut works immediately on selected text and can be toggled off by pressing the same keys again.
- If you do not remember the shortcut, the Home tab menu offers subscript and superscript buttons under font effects.
- Subscript and superscript formatting stays with the text when you copy and paste it to other documents.
Where subscript and superscript appear in real documents
Subscript is most common in scientific and mathematical writing. Chemical formulas use it — H₂O, CO₂ — so the number sits slightly below the letter. In mathematics, subscript labels variables, like x₁ and x₂, to show they are different versions of the same thing.
Superscript appears in footnote and endnote markers (the small raised numbers that link to notes at the bottom of the page or end of the document). It also shows exponents in math — 2³ for "two to the power of three" — and appears in trademark and copyright symbols (™, ©).
In everyday writing, you will see superscript in ordinal numbers like 1st, 2nd, 3rd, though many writers now type these as plain text. Legal documents sometimes use superscript for footnote references.
Using the Format menu instead of keyboard shortcuts
If you prefer not to memorize shortcuts, open the Format menu at the top of the screen. Click Text, then look for Subscript or Superscript. Select your text first, then choose the option you want.
In Word Online, the process is slightly different. Select your text, then click the Home tab. In the font formatting group, you will see a dropdown arrow next to the font size. Click it and scroll down to find subscript and superscript options.
This menu route takes a few more clicks than the keyboard shortcut, but it works the same way and produces identical results. You can toggle the formatting off by selecting the text again and clicking the same menu option.
Removing subscript or superscript formatting
To remove subscript or superscript, select the formatted text and press the same keyboard shortcut again. Ctrl + = toggles subscript on and off; Ctrl + Shift + = toggles superscript on and off. The text returns to normal size and position on the baseline.
If you used the menu to apply the formatting, you can also use the menu to remove it. Select the text, open the Format menu, click Text, and click the subscript or superscript option again. It will turn off.
You can also select the text and press Ctrl + Spacebar (Windows) or Cmd + Spacebar (Mac) to clear all direct formatting at once, which removes subscript, superscript, bold, italic, and any other formatting you applied directly to that text.
Subscript and superscript in tables and headers
Subscript and superscript work the same way inside tables as they do in regular text. Select the text in the table cell, use the keyboard shortcut or menu, and the formatting applies. This is useful when you are building a table with chemical formulas or mathematical notation.
You can also use subscript and superscript in headers and footers. Select the text in the header or footer area, apply the formatting, and it will appear the same way on every page. This is common when a document title or section heading includes a formula or footnote reference.
What happens when you copy and paste subscript text
When you copy text with subscript or superscript formatting and paste it into another Word document, the formatting comes along. The text stays subscript or superscript in the new location. This also works when you paste into other programs like Google Docs or email, though some programs may not display the formatting correctly.
If you paste into a program that does not support subscript or superscript, the text will appear in normal size and position. The formatting is lost, but the text itself remains intact. You can reapply the formatting in the new program if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my subscript or superscript look too small to read?
Word automatically shrinks subscript and superscript text to about 58% of the normal font size. If it is hard to read, increase the overall font size of your document first, then apply subscript or superscript. The smaller text will still be readable because it starts from a larger base size.
Can I make subscript or superscript a different color?
Yes. Select the subscript or superscript text, then use the font color tool in the Home tab to change its color. The formatting stays subscript or superscript while the color changes. You can also make it bold or italic before or after applying subscript or superscript.
Does subscript work in Word Online the same way as desktop Word?
The keyboard shortcuts work in Word Online, but the menu path is slightly different. In Word Online, select your text, click the Home tab, find the font formatting dropdown, and look for subscript and superscript there. The result is identical.
What if the keyboard shortcut does not work?
Make sure you have text selected before pressing the shortcut. If nothing happens, try using the Format menu instead. On some keyboards or in some languages, the = key may be in a different location, so the menu route is more reliable.
Can I set up a custom keyboard shortcut for subscript?
Yes, but it requires going into Word's settings. Go to File, then Options, then Customize Ribbon, then Keyboard Shortcuts. Search for "Subscript" in the list and assign a new shortcut. This is rarely necessary since the default shortcuts are standard across most programs.