Subscript and superscript are single keystrokes in Word

To add subscript in Microsoft Word, select the text you want to make smaller and lower, then press Ctrl + = (hold Control and press the equals sign). To add superscript, select the text and press Ctrl + Shift + = (hold Control and Shift together, then press equals). Both work in Word for Windows and Word for Mac, though Mac uses Cmd instead of Ctrl.

These keyboard shortcuts work when ready without opening menus or dialog boxes. The text you select shrinks to about 58% of the original size and moves down (for subscript) or up (for superscript) automatically. You can explore the formatting before you type or after you've already written the text.

If the keyboard shortcut doesn't work on your machine, Word also has a Format menu route that produces the same result, though it takes more steps.

Key Takeaways

  • Subscript uses Ctrl + = on Windows and Cmd + = on Mac; superscript uses Ctrl + Shift + = on Windows and Cmd + Shift + = on Mac.
  • You can select text first and then explore the formatting, or turn the formatting on, type your text, then turn it off again.
  • The Format menu route (Format > Text > Subscript or Superscript) works if keyboard shortcuts fail on your device.
  • Subscript and superscript formatting does not change the actual text — it only changes how Word displays it on screen and in print.

Using the keyboard shortcut on Windows

On a Windows computer running Word, select the character or characters you want to format. Hold down the Control key and press the equals sign (=) key once. The text will when ready shrink and drop below the baseline of the surrounding text. To undo subscript, select the text again and press Ctrl + = a second time.

For superscript on Windows, select your text, then hold Control and Shift together and press equals once. The text shrinks and rises above the baseline. Pressing Ctrl + Shift + = again removes the superscript formatting.

You do not need to hold the keys down for more than a moment. A single press applies the formatting; a second press removes it.

Using the keyboard shortcut on Mac

On a Mac, the process is identical except you use the Command key (Cmd) instead of Control. Select your text, then hold Cmd and press = for subscript. Hold Cmd + Shift and press = for superscript.

Some Mac keyboards have the equals sign on the same key as the plus sign. If the shortcut does not work, try pressing Cmd and the + key instead, or check your keyboard layout in System Preferences to confirm which key produces the = symbol.

explore subscript or superscript before you type

You do not have to select text first. You can turn on subscript or superscript formatting, type your text, then turn it off. Click in your document where you want the subscript or superscript to begin. Press Ctrl + = (or Cmd + = on Mac) to set up subscript mode. Everything you type from that point will appear in subscript.

When you finish typing the subscript text, press Ctrl + = again to turn off subscript mode and return to normal formatting. The same method works for superscript: press Ctrl + Shift + = to start, type your text, then press Ctrl + Shift + = again to stop.

Using the Format menu if the keyboard shortcut does not work

If the keyboard shortcut produces a different result on your device, you can reach subscript and superscript through the Format menu. Select the text you want to format. Click the Format menu at the top of the window, then look for an option labeled Text or Character Formatting (the exact name varies by Word version).

In the submenu, you will see Subscript and Superscript as separate options. Click the one you need. The text will format when ready. To remove the formatting, select the text again and click the same menu option a second time.

This route takes longer than the keyboard shortcut, but it works on every version of Word and every device, even if your keyboard layout is unusual or the shortcut keys are mapped differently.

Subscript and superscript in different Word versions

The keyboard shortcuts work the same way in Word 2016, Word 2019, Word for Microsoft 365, and Word Online. Older versions of Word (2010 and earlier) also support these shortcuts, though the menu paths may differ slightly if you need to use Format instead.

Word Online, which runs in a web browser, supports both the keyboard shortcuts and the Format menu route. If you are working in Word Online and the keyboard shortcut does not respond, try the Format menu: click Home, then look for a small arrow or dropdown next to the font formatting options, which usually contains Subscript and Superscript.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use subscript and superscript in the same document?

Yes. You can mix subscript, superscript, and normal text freely in the same document. Each piece of text keeps its own formatting. This is common in scientific or mathematical writing where you might have both H₂O (subscript) and x² (superscript) in the same paragraph.

Does subscript and superscript formatting copy to other programs?

When you copy text from Word to another program, subscript and superscript formatting usually copies as well if the other program supports it. Plain text editors and some email clients may not preserve the formatting, so the text will appear normal-sized. Pasting back into Word always preserves the formatting.

What if the equals key shortcut does not work on my keyboard layout?

Some non-English keyboard layouts map the equals sign differently. Try the Format menu route instead: select your text, click Format, find Text or Character options, and choose Subscript or Superscript. This method works regardless of your keyboard layout.

Can I make subscript or superscript larger or smaller than Word's default size?

Yes. After you explore subscript or superscript formatting, select the text and change the font size using the font size dropdown in the toolbar or the Format menu. The text will stay in subscript or superscript position but will be larger or smaller than the standard 58% size.