How to Use Superscript and Subscript Formatting in Obsidian

Superscript and subscript let you raise or lower text in Obsidian without leaving your note

Superscript raises text above the baseline — useful for footnote markers, exponents, and citations. Subscript lowers text below the baseline — common in chemical formulas, mathematical notation, and footnotes. Obsidian does not have a built-in button for either, but you can create both using HTML tags directly in your notes, or by setting up a keyboard shortcut or snippet to do it faster.

The simplest method is typing the HTML yourself. Superscript uses tags; subscript uses tags. Obsidian renders these in reading mode, so you see the formatted result without the tags showing. If you use these often, a community plugin or a text expansion tool can save you from typing the tags every time.

Key Takeaways

Type text for superscript and text for subscript directly into your notes.
The tags disappear in reading mode, leaving only the raised or lowered text visible.
A community plugin like Superscript or a snippet can add a keyboard shortcut to wrap selected text automatically.
Obsidian's native markdown does not support superscript or subscript, so HTML is the standard workaround.
The formatting persists when you export or sync your vault, since it is stored as HTML.

Using HTML tags directly in your notes

Open your note in edit mode and type the tag around the text you want to format. For a superscript 2 in an exponent, type x2. For a subscript in a chemical formula, type H2O. When you switch to reading mode, the tags vanish and you see only the formatted text.

This method works everywhere in Obsidian — in regular notes, in callouts, in tables, and in list items. The HTML renders consistently across all platforms (desktop, mobile, web). If you copy the note text and paste it into another application, the HTML tags come along, so the formatting may or may not survive depending on what you paste into.

Setting up a keyboard shortcut with a snippet

If you format text this way often, create a snippet to add a keyboard shortcut. Open your vault settings, go to Appearance, scroll to CSS snippets, and create a new file. Paste this code into it:

.cm-editor { --superscript-shortcut: "Ctrl-Shift-U"; --subscript-shortcut: "Ctrl-Shift-D"; }

This alone does not create the shortcut — it only sets the names. To actually bind the keys, you need to use Obsidian's hotkey settings or install a plugin like Superscript (by Aidyn Akunov) or Text Format, which handle the wrapping automatically. With the plugin installed, select the text you want to format, press the hotkey, and the tags wrap around it instantly.

Using community plugins for faster formatting

The Superscript plugin adds a command to wrap selected text in superscript tags and optionally binds it to a hotkey. Install it from the community plugins browser in Obsidian settings. Once enabled, select your text, open the command palette (Ctrl+P or Cmd+P), search for "Superscript", and run the command. The text wraps immediately.

Some plugins offer both superscript and subscript in one package. Text Format and similar utilities let you define custom hotkeys for any HTML tag, so you can set up subscript the same way. Check the plugin's settings page to see which hotkeys are available or how to customize them. Not all plugins conflict, so you can install multiple formatting tools if you need them.

Checking your formatting in reading mode

Switch to reading mode to see how the superscript or subscript actually looks. In edit mode, you see the raw HTML tags; in reading mode, Obsidian hides them and displays only the formatted text. If the text does not appear raised or lowered, check that your tags are spelled correctly and that you closed them with a forward slash ( or ).

If you have a plugin installed that conflicts with HTML rendering, the tags might show as plain text instead of formatting. Disable plugins one at a time to find the culprit, or check the plugin's documentation to see if it has a setting to allow HTML passthrough.

Exporting notes with superscript and subscript

When you export a note to PDF or HTML, Obsidian preserves the superscript and subscript formatting because it is stored as HTML. The exported file will display the raised and lowered text correctly. If you export to Markdown or plain text, the HTML tags remain in the file as raw text, so the formatting will not display unless the application you open it in also renders HTML.

If you plan to share notes with others or move them to a different tool, test the export format first. Most modern note-taking apps and document editors handle HTML tags, but some older or simpler tools may not.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use markdown syntax instead of HTML tags?

No. Obsidian's markdown parser does not recognize superscript or subscript syntax like ^text^ or ~text~. HTML tags are the only built-in way. Some plugins add markdown-style shortcuts, but they still convert to HTML behind the scenes.

Will superscript and subscript work on mobile Obsidian?

Yes. The HTML tags render the same way on mobile as on desktop. If you use a plugin with a hotkey, the hotkey may not work the same way on mobile, but you can still type the tags manually or use the plugin's command palette.

What if I want to format multiple words as superscript?

Wrap all of them in a single pair of tags: multiple words here. The entire phrase will be raised together. You can also nest tags if needed, though it is rarely necessary for superscript and subscript.

Does this work in Obsidian Sync or when sharing vaults?

Yes. The HTML is stored in your note file as plain text, so it syncs normally and displays the same way for anyone who opens the vault. The formatting is part of the note content, not a setting or plugin-specific feature.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.