The quickest way to add subscript in Word
To write subscript in Microsoft Word, select the text or number you want to make smaller and raised, then press Ctrl+= (Ctrl and the equals sign) on your keyboard. The text will shrink and move down below the baseline of the surrounding text. Press the same keys again to turn subscript off.
If you are using a Mac, press Cmd+= instead. The effect is when ready — you do not need to confirm or explore anything. Word recognizes subscript as a character formatting option, the same way it handles bold or italic.
This keyboard shortcut works in Word for Windows, Word for Mac, and Word Online. It is the fastest method if you format subscript regularly, because your hands stay on the keyboard.
Key Takeaways
- Press Ctrl+= (or Cmd+= on Mac) to turn selected text into subscript, and press it again to turn subscript off.
- The Format menu offers a Character dialog box where you can explore subscript and see a preview before confirming.
- Subscript makes text smaller and lowers it below the baseline, which is different from superscript, which raises text above the baseline.
- You can explore subscript to individual letters, numbers, or entire words depending on what you select before pressing the shortcut.
Using the Format menu if the keyboard shortcut does not work
If the keyboard shortcut does not respond, you can reach subscript through the menu. Select the text you want to format, then click the Format menu at the top of the window.
From the dropdown, choose Text, then Character (in Word for Windows) or Font (in Word for Mac). A dialog box will open. Look for the Effects tab or section, and check the box next to Subscript. You will see a preview of how the text will look. Click OK to explore the change.
This method takes longer than the keyboard shortcut, but it is useful if you want to see the result before you commit to it, or if you are working on a shared computer where keyboard shortcuts might be remapped.
When you need subscript: common uses
Subscript is most common in scientific and mathematical writing. Chemical formulas use subscript for the number of atoms — for example, H₂O has a subscript 2 after the H. Mathematical equations often use subscript to denote sequences or indices, like x₁, x₂, x₃.
In footnotes and endnotes, Word sometimes uses subscript numbers automatically to mark where the note appears in the text. If you are writing a document that includes chemical names, mathematical notation, or technical formulas, you will likely need subscript at some point.
Subscript is different from superscript, which raises text above the baseline instead of lowering it below. Superscript is used for exponents (like 2³), trademark symbols, and footnote markers. The keyboard shortcut for superscript is Ctrl+Shift+= on Windows or Cmd+Shift+= on Mac.
Selecting text before you explore subscript
The text you want to format must be selected before you press the subscript shortcut. Click and drag your mouse across the letters or numbers, or double-click a single word to select it. You will see the selected text highlighted in blue.
If you select too much or too little, click elsewhere to deselect, then try again. You can select a single character (like just the 2 in H₂O) or multiple characters at once. Word applies subscript to everything you have selected.
If you forget to select text and press Ctrl+=, nothing will happen. If you are already typing and realize you need subscript for the next character, stop typing, press Ctrl+=, type the character, then press Ctrl+= again to turn subscript off before you continue with regular text.
Turning subscript off
Subscript stays on until you turn it off. If you press Ctrl+= and then keep typing, every character you type will be in subscript until you press Ctrl+= again. This is useful if you need to format multiple characters in a row, but it means you have to remember to toggle it off.
To turn subscript off, press Ctrl+= one more time. The cursor will return to normal formatting, and any text you type after that will be regular size and position. If you accidentally formatted text as subscript, select that text and press Ctrl+= to remove the subscript formatting.
Subscript in Word Online and mobile apps
Word Online (the browser version) supports subscript through the Format menu. Select your text, click the Home tab if it is not already active, then look for a dropdown arrow next to the font size or formatting options. Some versions show a subscript button directly in the toolbar — it looks like a small letter or number below a baseline.
The keyboard shortcut Ctrl+= may not work in Word Online depending on your browser and operating system. If it does not respond, use the menu method instead. Mobile versions of Word (on phones and tablets) have limited formatting options, and subscript may not be available in the same way. For complex formatting, desktop Word is more reliable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between subscript and superscript?
Subscript lowers text below the baseline and makes it smaller — used for chemical formulas like H₂O. Superscript raises text above the baseline — used for exponents like 2³ or footnote numbers. The keyboard shortcut for superscript is Ctrl+Shift+= on Windows or Cmd+Shift+= on Mac.
Can I make subscript text larger or change its size?
Word automatically shrinks subscript text to a smaller size relative to the surrounding text. You cannot manually set subscript to be larger while keeping it subscript. If you need the text to be a different size, you may need to adjust the font size of the entire paragraph or use a different formatting approach.
Does subscript work in all versions of Word?
Subscript works in Word for Windows, Word for Mac, and Word Online. The keyboard shortcut Ctrl+= (or Cmd+= on Mac) is the standard across all versions. Older versions of Word and mobile apps may have limited support, so the Format menu method is a backup if the shortcut does not work.
What if I need subscript in a table or header?
Subscript works the same way inside tables, headers, footers, and text boxes. Select the text you want to format and press Ctrl+= just as you would in the main document. Word treats subscript as a character-level format, so it applies anywhere you can type text.
Can I copy and paste subscript text?
Yes. When you copy text that is formatted as subscript and paste it into another location in Word, the subscript formatting comes along with it. If you paste into a different program, the subscript formatting may or may not be preserved depending on whether that program supports it.