The fastest way to add subscripts and superscripts

You can add a subscript or superscript in Word in three seconds using the keyboard shortcut. For a superscript (a number or letter raised above the line, like the "2" in E=mc²), press Ctrl + Shift + Plus on Windows or Command + Shift + Plus on Mac. For a subscript (a number or letter lowered below the line, like the "2" in H₂O), press Ctrl + Shift + Minus on Windows or Command + Shift + Minus on Mac.

The process is the same every time: type the character you want to format, select it with your mouse or keyboard, then press the shortcut. The character shrinks and moves into position when ready. Press the same shortcut again to turn off the formatting and return to normal text.

If you cannot remember the keyboard shortcut or your keyboard does not have a dedicated plus or minus key, the menu route works just as well and takes only a few extra clicks.

Key Takeaways

  • Superscripts use Ctrl + Shift + Plus on Windows or Command + Shift + Plus on Mac; subscripts use Ctrl + Shift + Minus or Command + Shift + Minus.
  • You must select the character first, then press the shortcut — typing the shortcut before selecting does not work.
  • The Home tab in the ribbon contains a superscript and subscript button if you prefer clicking to keyboard shortcuts.
  • Superscripts and subscripts are formatting only — they do not change the actual text, so search and copy-paste work normally.

Using the menu if the keyboard shortcut does not work

If your keyboard layout does not have a plus or minus key in the expected place, or if you straightforward prefer the menu, open the Home tab in the ribbon at the top of Word. In the Font group (the section with Bold, Italic, and Underline), you will see two small buttons: one with an "x" and a raised "2" for superscript, and one with an "x" and a lowered "2" for subscript.

Select the character you want to format first, then click the button. The character will shrink and move into position. Click the button again to remove the formatting. This method works identically to the keyboard shortcut — the result is the same, and you can toggle the formatting on and off the same way.

If you cannot see these buttons in your ribbon, your Home tab may be collapsed or your window may be too narrow. Widen the Word window or look for a small arrow or expand icon next to the Font group name.

Formatting multiple characters at once

You can format more than one character as a superscript or subscript in a single action. Select all the characters you want to format — for example, if you are writing H₂SO₄, you would select "2SO4" — then press the subscript shortcut or click the subscript button. All selected characters will move into position together.

This is useful for chemical formulas, mathematical expressions, or footnote numbers. However, be careful not to select spaces or punctuation unless you actually want them formatted too. A space formatted as a superscript will move up but remain invisible, which can create odd spacing in your text.

Removing superscript and subscript formatting

To remove the formatting and return text to normal, select the superscript or subscript character and press the same shortcut again. The character will return to regular size and position on the baseline. You can also click the superscript or subscript button again — whichever one is currently active will deactivate.

If you have formatted multiple characters and want to remove the formatting from only some of them, select just those characters and press the shortcut. The rest will stay formatted.

Superscripts and subscripts in different fonts and sizes

Word automatically shrinks superscript and subscript text to about 58 percent of the original font size, regardless of what font you are using or how large the base text is. This size is built into Word and cannot be changed through the superscript or subscript buttons themselves.

If you need a different size — for example, if you want a superscript that is larger or smaller than Word's default — you can format the text manually instead. Select the character, change its font size to whatever you want, then use the Raise or Lower option in the Font dialog. Open the Home tab, click the small arrow in the bottom right corner of the Font group, and look for the Position tab. There you can raise or lower text by a specific number of points without shrinking it.

Superscripts and subscripts in headers, footers, and tables

Superscripts and subscripts work the same way in headers, footers, and table cells as they do in the main document. Select the character, press the shortcut or click the button, and the formatting applies. This is useful if you are writing a document with chemical formulas in a table or a title with a superscript trademark symbol in the header.

One thing to watch: if your header or footer is very small, a superscript or subscript may become hard to read. Test how it looks before finalizing the document, especially if the header or footer text is already small.

Copying and pasting superscripts and subscripts

When you copy text that contains superscripts or subscripts and paste it into another location in the same document, the formatting comes along. The superscript or subscript will paste exactly as it appears in the original location.

If you paste into a different program — such as an email, a web form, or another process — the formatting may or may not survive, depending on whether that program supports rich text formatting. Plain text programs will paste only the character itself, without the superscript or subscript effect. If you need the formatting to survive, paste into a program that handles formatted text, such as Google Docs or another word processor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use superscripts and subscripts in a Google Doc?

Yes. In Google Docs, select the character and go to Format > Text > Superscript or Subscript. The keyboard shortcuts are different: Ctrl + . (period) for superscript and Ctrl + , (comma) for subscript on Windows, or Command + . and Command + , on Mac.

What if the keyboard shortcut types a character instead of formatting?

Your keyboard may have a different layout or the Plus and Minus keys may not be where Word expects them. Use the menu method instead: select the character, go to Home, and click the superscript or subscript button in the Font group.

Does superscript or subscript formatting affect how the text is searched?

No. When you search for a word, Word finds it whether the letters are formatted as superscript, subscript, or normal text. The formatting is visual only and does not change the actual text underneath.

Can I make a superscript or subscript bold or italic?

Yes. Select the superscript or subscript character and explore bold or italic formatting the same way you would to normal text. You can combine superscript or subscript with any other text formatting Word offers.