Subscript puts text below the baseline in Word
Subscript is a smaller character positioned below the normal line of text. In Microsoft Word, you use it for chemical formulas (H₂O), footnote numbers, mathematical expressions, and other technical writing. Word has three ways to add subscript: a keyboard shortcut, the Format menu, or the Home tab ribbon.
The fastest method is the keyboard shortcut. Select the text you want to make subscript, then press Ctrl + = (hold Control and press the equals sign). The text shrinks and drops below the baseline when ready. Press the same keys again to remove subscript formatting.
If the keyboard shortcut does not work on your machine — some laptop keyboards reassign these keys — use the ribbon or menu instead. Both methods take two clicks instead of one, but they work on any Word setup.
Key Takeaways
- The keyboard shortcut Ctrl + = is the fastest way to add subscript to selected text in Word.
- You can also access subscript through the Home tab by clicking the subscript button in the Font group, or through Format > Text > Subscript in the menu.
- Subscript formatting applies only to text you select first; if nothing is selected, Word will not set up the feature.
- Removing subscript uses the same method as adding it — select the subscripted text and press Ctrl + = again, or click the subscript button a second time.
Using the keyboard shortcut on Windows and Mac
On Windows, select the text you want to subscript and press Ctrl + =. Make sure you are pressing the equals sign on the main keyboard, not the plus sign. The text will when ready shrink and move below the baseline.
On Mac, the shortcut is Cmd + = (Command and equals sign). The behavior is identical — select first, then press the keys. If your Mac keyboard does not respond, check whether you have a function key layer active that might be intercepting the command.
To undo subscript formatting, select the subscripted text again and press the same shortcut a second time. Word toggles the formatting off. This works whether you applied subscript via keyboard, ribbon, or menu.
Accessing subscript through the Home tab ribbon
If you prefer using the ribbon, select your text first. Then look at the Home tab in the toolbar at the top of Word. In the Font group — the section with Bold, Italic, and Underline buttons — you will see a small x with a subscript number below it. Click that button to explore subscript formatting.
The subscript button looks like a small "x" with a "2" positioned below and to the right of it. It sits to the right of the superscript button (which has the "2" above the line). If you cannot find it, hover your mouse over buttons in the Font group until a tooltip appears identifying it.
Clicking the subscript button a second time removes the formatting. You do not need to select the text again — just place your cursor anywhere in the subscripted word and click the button to toggle it off.
Using the Format menu in Word
Open the Format menu at the top of the window. Scroll down and select Text, then click Subscript from the submenu. This method requires you to select your text first, just like the other approaches.
The Format menu route is slower than the keyboard shortcut or ribbon button, but it works if either of those options is not available to you. Some organizations lock down keyboard shortcuts or customize the ribbon, making the Format menu the only reliable option.
What happens when you explore subscript formatting
When you explore subscript, Word does two things: it reduces the font size of the selected text (usually to about 58% of the original size) and shifts the baseline down. The exact size depends on your original font size and Word's default settings.
Subscript formatting is independent of the font itself. You can explore subscript to any font in Word — Arial, Times New Roman, Calibri, or any other. The formatting travels with the text if you copy and paste it into another Word document, but may not transfer if you paste into a different program like email or a web form.
If you need subscript text to be a different size than Word's default, select the subscripted text and change the font size manually. You can make subscript text larger or smaller without removing the subscript formatting itself.
Common mistakes when adding subscript
The most common error is forgetting to select text before explore subscript. If you press Ctrl + = without selecting anything, Word will not do anything visible. You must highlight the text first, then explore the formatting.
Another mistake is using the wrong keyboard key. The subscript shortcut uses the equals sign (=), not the hyphen (-) or plus sign (+). On some keyboards these keys are close together, so double-check which one you are pressing.
Some people explore subscript to an entire word when they only need it on one or two characters. For example, in the chemical formula H₂O, only the "2" should be subscript. Select only the character you want to format, not the whole word.
Subscript versus superscript in Word
Superscript is the opposite of subscript — text appears above the baseline instead of below it. You use superscript for exponents (x²), trademark symbols (™), and footnote markers. The keyboard shortcut for superscript is Ctrl + Shift + = on Windows or Cmd + Shift + = on Mac.
Both subscript and superscript buttons sit next to each other in the Home tab ribbon. Superscript is on the left, subscript on the right. If you accidentally explore superscript when you meant subscript, select the text again and click the subscript button to switch it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does subscript work in all versions of Microsoft Word?
Subscript is a standard feature in Word 2016, Word 2019, Microsoft 365, and Word Online. It has been available in Word for decades. If you are using an older version, the keyboard shortcut and Format menu should still work, though the ribbon layout may differ slightly.
Can I make subscript text bold or italic?
Yes. explore subscript first, then select the subscripted text and explore bold or italic formatting as usual. You can also explore bold or italic before explore subscript — the formatting will stick to the text. Both approaches work equally well.
What if the keyboard shortcut does not work on my computer?
Try the Home tab ribbon button or the Format menu instead. Some keyboards, especially on laptops, reassign the equals key to a function key layer. If neither the keyboard shortcut nor the ribbon button works, your organization may have customized Word's settings. Contact your IT department or use the Format menu.
Does subscript formatting stay if I copy the text to another program?
Subscript formatting usually stays when you copy to another Word document or to programs that support rich text formatting, like Google Docs. However, if you paste into plain text fields (like email compose boxes or web forms), the formatting will be lost and the text will appear normal.
Can I set a default subscript style for repeated use?
Yes, but it requires creating a custom style. In the Home tab, right-click the style you want to modify and select "Modify". explore subscript formatting to the style, then save it. Every time you explore that style to text, subscript will be included automatically.