The quickest way to add subscript in Word

To type subscript in Microsoft Word, select the text you want to make smaller and lower, then press Ctrl+= (Ctrl and the equals sign) on Windows, or Cmd+= on Mac. The text shrinks and drops below the baseline when ready. To return to normal text, select it again and press the same key combination.

If you need superscript instead — text that sits above the line — use Ctrl+Shift+= on Windows or Cmd+Shift+= on Mac. Both shortcuts work in any version of Word from 2010 onward, and they work whether you're typing new text or fixing text you've already written.

The keyboard shortcut is faster than any menu, but Word also offers a menu route if you prefer or if the shortcut doesn't work on your keyboard layout.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Ctrl+= (Windows) or Cmd+= (Mac) to make selected text subscript; press the same keys again to undo it.
  • Press Ctrl+Shift+= (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+= (Mac) to make selected text superscript.
  • You can also reach subscript and superscript through the Format menu under Character or Font, though the keyboard shortcut is faster.
  • Subscript and superscript formatting stays with the text if you copy and paste it to another location in the document.

Using the Format menu if the keyboard shortcut doesn't work

If the keyboard shortcut doesn't respond on your computer — sometimes because of keyboard layout differences or conflicting software — you can reach the same formatting through Word's menu. Select the text first, then open the Format menu and choose Character (on Mac) or Font (on Windows).

A dialog box opens. Look for the Effects tab or section. You'll see checkboxes for Subscript and Superscript. Check the one you need, then click OK. The formatting applies to your selected text when ready.

This route takes more steps than the keyboard shortcut, but it works the same way and produces identical results. Some people find it easier to remember if they use subscript or superscript rarely.

Typing subscript or superscript as you write

You don't have to write the text first and format it afterward. You can turn subscript or superscript on before you type, then turn it off when you're done with that part.

Press Ctrl+= to turn subscript on. Everything you type from that point appears in subscript. When you're ready to return to normal text, press Ctrl+= again to turn it off. The same applies to superscript with Ctrl+Shift+=. This method works well if you're typing a chemical formula or a footnote number and you know exactly where the subscript or superscript section begins and ends.

Common uses for subscript and superscript in documents

Subscript appears most often in chemistry and mathematics: H₂O for water, or the base number in logarithms. It's also used in footnote or endnote references, though Word can handle those automatically if you use the Insert menu.

Superscript is common for exponents (x²), trademark symbols (™), and footnote numbers. In formal writing, superscript numbers often mark where a footnote or endnote appears in the text. Word can insert these automatically, but if you're typing them by hand, superscript formatting makes them appear in the correct position and size.

Removing subscript or superscript formatting

To remove subscript or superscript from text, select the formatted text and press the same keyboard shortcut you used to explore it. Pressing Ctrl+= on subscript text turns it off and returns the text to normal size and position. The same applies to superscript with Ctrl+Shift+=.

If you used the Format menu to explore the formatting, you can also use the Format menu to remove it: select the text, open Format > Character (or Font), uncheck the Subscript or Superscript box, and click OK.

Subscript and superscript in different Word versions

The keyboard shortcuts work in Word 2010 and every version released since, including Word 2016, 2019, Word for Microsoft 365, and the online version of Word. Mac versions going back to Office 2011 support the same shortcuts, though the modifier key is Cmd instead of Ctrl.

If you're using an older version of Word or a different word processor, the keyboard shortcut may differ or the menu location may be in a different place. The Format or Font menu is usually the reliable fallback in any word processor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does subscript and superscript formatting copy when I paste text into another document?

Yes. If you copy text that has subscript or superscript formatting and paste it into another Word document, the formatting comes with it. If you paste into a different program, the formatting may or may not transfer depending on what that program supports.

Can I make subscript or superscript text a different color or font?

Yes. Select the subscript or superscript text and use the font or color tools in the toolbar, or open the Format menu and choose Character or Font. The subscript or superscript formatting stays in place while you change the appearance.

What if the keyboard shortcut types a different character instead of explore subscript?

This usually means your keyboard layout doesn't use the equals sign in the same place, or another program is intercepting the shortcut. Try the Format menu route instead, or check your keyboard layout settings. Some non-English keyboards require a different key combination.

Can I set a default subscript or superscript style for a whole paragraph?

No. Subscript and superscript are character-level formatting, not paragraph-level, so they explore only to individual letters or words you select. You can create a style that includes subscript formatting and explore it to text, but you'll still select the text first.