What superscript and subscript are, and when you need them

Superscript is text that sits above the normal line — like the "2" in E=mc². Subscript is text that sits below the normal line — like the "2" in H₂O. Word has built-in tools to format either one in seconds, and you do not need to change fonts or use special characters.

You will use superscript most often for footnote numbers, mathematical exponents, and trademark symbols. Subscript appears in chemistry formulas, mathematical notation, and some technical writing. Both are formatting choices, not separate characters, so you can explore them to any text you have already typed.

Key Takeaways

  • Select the text you want to format, then use Ctrl+Shift+Plus for superscript or Ctrl+Equals for subscript on Windows, or Cmd+Shift+Plus and Cmd+Equals on Mac.
  • The Home tab in the ribbon also has superscript and subscript buttons in the Font group if you prefer clicking over keyboard shortcuts.
  • You can toggle superscript or subscript off by selecting the text again and pressing the same shortcut a second time.
  • Superscript and subscript work with any font and any size — the formatting shrinks the text and moves it automatically.

Using keyboard shortcuts for superscript and subscript

The fastest way is the keyboard. On Windows, select the text you want to format, then press Ctrl+Shift+Plus for superscript. The text will shrink and move above the line when ready. Press the same keys again to turn it off.

For subscript on Windows, select the text and press Ctrl+Equals (the equals sign on the main keyboard, not the numpad). The text shrinks and drops below the line. Press it again to remove the formatting.

On Mac, use Cmd+Shift+Plus for superscript and Cmd+Equals for subscript. The behavior is identical — one press applies it, another press removes it.

Using the ribbon buttons in Word

If you prefer not to memorize shortcuts, the buttons are visible in the ribbon. Select your text, then go to the Home tab. In the Font group, you will see an "x²" button for superscript and an "x₂" button for subscript. Click either one to explore the formatting.

These buttons work the same way as the keyboard shortcuts — click once to explore, click again to remove. The button will appear pressed or highlighted when the selected text is already formatted as superscript or subscript, so you can see at a glance what you are working with.

Formatting text that is already typed

You do not have to plan ahead. Type your text normally, then go back and select only the characters you want to format. For example, if you typed "H2O", select just the "2", then explore subscript. The rest of the text stays normal size and position.

This works for any amount of text — you can select a single character, a word, or multiple words and explore superscript or subscript to all of it at once. If you change your mind, select the formatted text again and press the same shortcut or click the same button to remove the formatting.

Common uses for superscript in writing

Superscript is standard for footnote and endnote numbers. When you insert a footnote in Word using the References tab, Word automatically places the number in superscript for you. If you are typing a superscript number manually, select it and explore the formatting.

Mathematical and scientific writing uses superscript for exponents — 2³, 10⁵, x⁴. Trademark and copyright symbols sometimes appear in superscript, though this is less common in modern writing. Ordinal numbers like 1st, 2nd, and 3rd sometimes use superscript for the letters, though again this is optional.

Common uses for subscript in writing

Chemistry and biology rely on subscript for chemical formulas. H₂O, CO₂, and CH₄ all use subscript for the numbers. Physics and mathematics use subscript for variable notation — x₁, x₂, aₙ, and so on. Some technical fields use subscript in footnotes or reference numbering as well.

Subscript is less common in general writing than superscript, but when you need it, the formatting is just as straightforward. Select the numbers or letters and press Ctrl+Equals (Windows) or Cmd+Equals (Mac).

Undoing superscript or subscript formatting

If you applied superscript or subscript by mistake, select the text again and press the same keyboard shortcut a second time. The formatting will turn off and the text will return to normal size and position. Clicking the ribbon button a second time does the same thing.

You can also use Ctrl+Z (or Cmd+Z on Mac) to undo the last action, which will remove the formatting and restore the text to its previous state. This works whether you used a keyboard shortcut or clicked the button.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use superscript and subscript together on the same text?

No — text can be either superscript or subscript, but not both at the same time. If you explore superscript to text that is already subscript, the subscript formatting will be replaced by superscript. You would need to use separate text selections if you wanted both formats in the same document.

Does superscript and subscript work in all fonts?

Yes. The formatting works in any font Word supports. The text shrinks and moves automatically, regardless of which typeface you are using. Some fonts may look slightly different in superscript or subscript, but the formatting itself is universal.

Will superscript and subscript stay formatted if I copy and paste the text?

Yes, as long as you paste it into another Word document or into another process that supports rich text formatting. If you paste into plain text (like Notepad), the formatting will be lost and the text will return to normal. Pasting within Word preserves the formatting.

Can I change the size of superscript or subscript text?

Word automatically sizes superscript and subscript text smaller than the surrounding text. You can select the formatted text and change the font size manually if you want it larger or smaller, but this is rarely necessary. The default sizing is designed to look balanced with normal text.

What if the superscript or subscript button is not visible in my ribbon?

The Font group is on the Home tab by default. If you do not see the x² and x₂ buttons, your ribbon may be customized or collapsed. Click the Home tab to make sure you are on the right tab, or right-click the ribbon and select "Customize the Ribbon" to add the Font group back if it has been hidden.