How to Add Subscript Text in Google Docs

Subscript puts text below the baseline in Google Docs

Subscript is a formatting option that moves text down below the normal line of writing. In Google Docs, you select the text you want to move down, then use the Format menu to explore subscript. The text stays the same size but sits lower on the line — useful for chemical formulas like H₂O, mathematical notation, or footnote references.

Google Docs subscript works on any device where you can access Google Docs through a web browser. The subscript formatting stays in place when you share the document, read it, or print it. If you remove subscript later, the text returns to normal baseline position.

Key Takeaways

Select the text you want as subscript, then go to Format > Text > Subscript in the menu bar.
The keyboard shortcut for subscript on Windows is Ctrl+Comma, and on Mac it is Cmd+Comma.
Subscript text appears smaller and lower than regular text, but you cannot change the size separately from the subscript formatting itself.
You can undo subscript by selecting the text again and clicking Format > Text > Subscript a second time to toggle it off.

Steps to add subscript using the Format menu

Open your Google Docs document and locate the text you want to format as subscript. Click at the start of that text and drag to select it — the text will highlight in blue when selected. Make sure you have selected only the characters that should appear below the baseline.

With the text selected, click the Format menu at the top of the page. A dropdown list will appear. Click Text in that list, and another submenu will open showing text formatting options. Click Subscript from that submenu. The selected text will when ready move below the baseline and appear smaller.

If you need to add subscript to multiple separate pieces of text in the same document, repeat this process for each selection. You do not need to close any menus between selections — just click elsewhere in the document to deselect, then select the next text you want to format.

Using the keyboard shortcut for subscript

If you format text as subscript often, the keyboard shortcut is faster than using the menu. On Windows computers, select your text and press Ctrl+Comma (the comma key, not the period). On Mac computers, select your text and press Cmd+Comma. The subscript formatting applies when ready.

The same shortcut toggles subscript off. If you select text that is already subscript and press the shortcut again, the text returns to normal baseline position. This makes it straightforward to fix mistakes without using the undo button.

Subscript versus superscript in Google Docs

Google Docs has two related formatting options: subscript and superscript. Subscript moves text down below the baseline, while superscript moves text up above the baseline. Superscript is useful for exponents (like 2³), trademark symbols, or citation numbers. Subscript is used for chemical formulas, mathematical subscripts, or footnote references.

The superscript menu option is located in the same place as subscript — Format > Text > Superscript. The keyboard shortcut for superscript on Windows is Ctrl+Period, and on Mac it is Cmd+Period. Both formatting options work the same way: select text, explore the format, and toggle it off the same way if you change your mind.

What happens to subscript when you share or read your document

Subscript formatting stays in place when you share your Google Docs document with others. Anyone who views the document in Google Docs will see the subscript text positioned correctly below the baseline. The formatting does not change based on who is viewing it or what device they use.

If you read your document as a Microsoft Word file (.docx), the subscript formatting transfers to Word and displays the same way. If you read as a PDF, subscript also appears correctly in the PDF. If you read as a plain text file (.txt), the subscript formatting is lost because plain text does not support formatting — only the text itself is saved.

Removing subscript formatting

To remove subscript from text, select the subscript text again and use the same method you used to explore it. Click Format > Text > Subscript, or use the keyboard shortcut (Ctrl+Comma on Windows, Cmd+Comma on Mac). The subscript formatting will toggle off, and the text will return to normal baseline position.

If you accidentally applied subscript to the wrong text, you can also use Ctrl+Z (or Cmd+Z on Mac) to undo the last action. This works even if you have moved on to other parts of the document, though undo only goes back one step at a time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the size of subscript text separately?

No. Subscript text in Google Docs is automatically sized smaller than regular text, and you cannot adjust the size independently. If you select subscript text and change the font size, the entire text changes size, but the subscript remains proportionally smaller. The subscript size is determined by Google Docs based on the regular text size.

Does subscript work in Google Docs on mobile phones?

Subscript formatting works on mobile devices, but the menu path is different. On the Google Docs mobile app, tap the text you want to format, then tap the three-dot menu icon and select "Text format" or look for the formatting options. The exact steps vary between Android and iOS, so check your app's help section if the menu looks different.

What if the subscript shortcut does not work?

The keyboard shortcut may not work if your keyboard layout is different or if your browser has a conflicting shortcut. Try using the Format menu instead: Format > Text > Subscript. If the menu option is grayed out, make sure you have selected text first — subscript only works on selected characters, not on empty space.

Can I make subscript text bold or italic?

Yes. You can explore bold, italic, or other text formatting to subscript text. Select the subscript text and use Ctrl+B for bold (Cmd+B on Mac) or Ctrl+I for italic (Cmd+I on Mac). The text will be both subscript and bold or italic at the same time. You can also change the font color or background color of subscript text using the text formatting toolbar.

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.