The fastest way: keyboard shortcuts

In Microsoft Word, superscript (small text raised above the line) uses Ctrl + Shift + Plus on Windows or Cmd + Shift + Plus on Mac. Subscript (small text lowered below the line) uses Ctrl + Equal on Windows or Cmd + Equal on Mac. Type the character or number you want to format, select it, then press the shortcut to convert it.

These shortcuts toggle on and off. If you press the superscript shortcut, everything you type afterward appears as superscript until you press the shortcut again to turn it off. The same applies to subscript. This means you can also press the shortcut first, type your text, then press it again to return to normal formatting.

The Plus key on your keyboard's number pad will not work for superscript — you must use the Plus key above the letters. On Mac, make sure you are using the Equal key (=) on the main keyboard, not a numpad key.

Key Takeaways

  • Superscript in Word uses Ctrl + Shift + Plus on Windows or Cmd + Shift + Plus on Mac.
  • Subscript in Word uses Ctrl + Equal on Windows or Cmd + Equal on Mac.
  • You can select text first and then apply the shortcut, or press the shortcut to turn formatting on before you type.
  • These shortcuts toggle on and off, so pressing them again returns text to normal size and position.
  • The numpad Plus key does not work for superscript — use the Plus key on the main keyboard.

Using the Format menu if shortcuts do not work

If the keyboard shortcut does not respond, you can format text through the menu instead. Select the text you want to format, then go to the Home tab. In the ribbon, look for the small arrow next to the font formatting options (usually in the lower right corner of a group). Click it to open the Font dialog box.

In the dialog, find the Effects tab. You will see checkboxes for Superscript and Subscript. Check the box for whichever you need, then click OK. This method works the same way on Windows and Mac versions of Word.

Formatting multiple pieces of text in one document

If your document has many superscripts or subscripts, format the first one, then use Format Painter to copy that formatting to others. Select the text you already formatted, then click the Format Painter button (it looks like a paintbrush) in the Home tab. Click and drag to select the next text you want to format the same way. The formatting copies over instantly.

For chemical formulas, mathematical equations, or footnote numbers that repeat throughout a document, this saves time over formatting each one individually. Format Painter works for any formatting change — superscript, subscript, color, font, or size.

Superscript and subscript in different Word versions

The keyboard shortcuts work the same in Word 2016, 2019, 2021, and Microsoft 365 on both Windows and Mac. Older versions of Word (2010 and earlier) use the same shortcuts as well, so the method does not change if you are using an older installation.

If you are using Word Online (the browser version), keyboard shortcuts may not work the same way depending on your browser and operating system. In Word Online, use the Format menu: select your text, click the arrow next to font size in the toolbar, and look for superscript and subscript options in the dropdown.

Common uses for superscript and subscript

Superscript appears in mathematical exponents (23 = 8), trademark symbols (™), footnote and endnote markers, and scientific notation. Subscript appears in chemical formulas (H2O), mathematical subscripts, and some technical writing.

If you are writing a document that needs many of these, learning the keyboard shortcut saves far more time than using the menu each time. The shortcut becomes automatic after a few uses.

Resetting text to normal if you make a mistake

If you accidentally format text as superscript or subscript, select it and press the same shortcut again. The formatting toggles off and the text returns to normal size and position. You do not need to undo or use a separate "remove formatting" command.

If you have already moved on and do not remember which text was formatted by mistake, use Ctrl + H (Windows) or Cmd + H (Mac) to open Find and Replace, then search for superscript or subscript formatting. Word can find and replace formatting as well as text, though this is a more advanced step and usually not necessary for small documents.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the keyboard shortcut not work on my computer?

Check that you are using the correct Plus key — the one above the letters on the main keyboard, not the numpad. If you are on Mac, confirm you are using Cmd (not Ctrl) and the Equal key on the main keyboard. Some keyboard layouts or language settings may remap these keys; if the shortcut still does not work, use the Format menu instead.

Can I make superscript or subscript the default for a whole paragraph?

No — superscript and subscript are character-level formatting, not paragraph formatting. You must select each individual character or word you want to format. If you need many instances, Format Painter is the fastest way to copy the formatting to multiple places.

Does superscript and subscript work in Word tables?

Yes, the keyboard shortcuts work inside table cells exactly as they do in regular text. Select the text in the cell and press the shortcut as normal.

What if I need to type both superscript and subscript in the same document?

Use the appropriate shortcut for each one — there is no conflict between them. You can have superscript on one word and subscript on another in the same paragraph. Just select each piece of text and apply the correct shortcut.