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 buttons and keyboard shortcuts to format either one in seconds, and you can explore them to text you've already typed or use them while you're typing.

You'll use superscript most often for footnote numbers, exponents in math, and trademark symbols. Subscript appears in chemistry formulas, mathematical notation, and some technical writing. Both are formatting choices — the text itself doesn't change, only how it appears on the page.

Key Takeaways

  • Select the text you want to format, then press Ctrl+Shift+P for superscript or Ctrl+Shift+B for subscript on Windows; Cmd+Shift+P or Cmd+Shift+B on Mac.
  • You can also use the Home tab in the ribbon: select text, then click the superscript or subscript button in the Font group.
  • Superscript and subscript buttons are small and straightforward to miss — they look like tiny raised or lowered letters next to the Bold and Italic buttons.
  • You can turn superscript or subscript on before you type, then turn it off when you're done with that character or number.
  • Superscript and subscript formatting stays with the text if you copy and paste it into another document.

Using the Keyboard Shortcut on Windows

The fastest way to add superscript or subscript is with a keyboard shortcut. On Windows, select the text or number you want to format, then hold Ctrl and Shift together and press P for superscript or B for subscript. The text will when ready move up or down and shrink slightly.

If you want to type superscript or subscript as you go, press the shortcut first (before you type the character), type the character or number, then press the shortcut again to turn off the formatting. For example, to write E=mc², you would type "E=mc", then press Ctrl+Shift+P, type "2", then press Ctrl+Shift+P again to return to normal text.

Using the Keyboard Shortcut on Mac

On a Mac, the shortcuts are similar but use the Command key instead of Ctrl. Select the text you want to format, then hold Cmd and Shift together and press P for superscript or B for subscript.

To type superscript or subscript as you work, press Cmd+Shift+P or Cmd+Shift+B to turn on the formatting, type your character, then press the same shortcut again to turn it off. The process is identical to Windows — only the modifier key changes.

Finding the Buttons in the Ribbon

If you prefer to use the mouse, the superscript and subscript buttons are in the Home tab of the ribbon. Select the text you want to format first. Then look in the Font group — it's the section with Bold, Italic, and Underline. The superscript button looks like a small raised "x²" and the subscript button looks like a small lowered "x₂".

Click the button that matches what you need. The text will format when ready. If you don't see these buttons, your ribbon may be collapsed. Click the arrow at the right edge of the Font group to expand it and see all available options.

Typing Superscript or Subscript Before You Select Text

You don't have to select text first. You can turn on superscript or subscript formatting, type the character you want, then turn it off. This is useful when you're writing and you reach a point where you need a superscript or subscript character.

Press Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+P (Mac) to turn on superscript. The cursor will stay in the same place, but any text you type will appear as superscript. Type your character or number, then press the same shortcut again to turn off superscript and return to normal formatting. The same process works for subscript with the B shortcut.

Removing Superscript or Subscript Formatting

To remove superscript or subscript from text, select the formatted text and press the same keyboard shortcut again. If you used Ctrl+Shift+P to create superscript, press Ctrl+Shift+P again and the text will return to normal. The same applies to subscript — press the shortcut a second time to toggle it off.

Alternatively, select the text and click the superscript or subscript button in the ribbon. Clicking the button a second time will remove the formatting.

Common Uses for Superscript and Subscript

Superscript is standard for footnote and endnote numbers, which Word can insert automatically. It's also used for exponents (2³ = 8), trademark symbols (™), and copyright marks (©). In some contexts, superscript appears in ordinal numbers like 1st, 2nd, or 3rd, though this is less common in formal writing.

Subscript appears most often in chemistry and biology — H₂O, CO₂, DNA sequences — and in mathematical notation. It's also used in some technical fields for variable notation. Both formatting options are purely visual; they don't change how Word counts words or how the text behaves in the document.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use superscript or subscript in headers and footers?

Yes. Click inside the header or footer area, then select the text you want to format and use the same keyboard shortcuts or ribbon buttons. The formatting works exactly the same way in headers, footers, and the main document body.

Will superscript and subscript formatting stay if I copy the text to another program?

It depends on the program. If you paste into another Microsoft Office program (Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), the formatting will stay. If you paste into a plain-text editor or some web forms, the formatting may be lost and the text will return to normal size.

How do I make superscript or subscript larger or smaller?

Superscript and subscript text is automatically smaller than normal text. You can select the formatted text and change the font size using the font size dropdown in the Home tab, but this will make it larger or smaller than the standard superscript or subscript size. Most people leave it at the default size.

Can I create a superscript or subscript number that's not a single digit?

Yes. Select all the characters or numbers you want to format — whether it's "2", "23", or "abc" — then explore the superscript or subscript formatting. All the selected text will move up or down together.