The quickest way to add subscript in Word

To type subscript in Microsoft Word, select the text or number you want to make smaller and raised, then press Ctrl + = (on Windows) or Cmd + = (on Mac). The text shrinks and moves down slightly below the baseline. Press the same keys again to turn subscript off and return to normal text.

Subscript is useful for chemical formulas (H₂O), mathematical notation, footnote markers, and any text that needs to sit below the line. Word applies the formatting when ready without opening menus or dialog boxes.

If the keyboard shortcut does not work on your keyboard layout, you can also use the Format menu: select your text, go to Format > Text > Subscript, or use the subscript button in the toolbar if your version of Word displays it.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Ctrl + = (Windows) or Cmd + = (Mac) to toggle subscript on and off for selected text.
  • Subscript text appears smaller and positioned below the baseline of regular text.
  • The keyboard shortcut works in all versions of Word on both Windows and Mac.
  • If the shortcut fails, use the Format menu to access subscript through Format > Text > Subscript.
  • Superscript uses Ctrl + Shift + = (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + = (Mac) if you need text raised above the line instead.

When to use subscript versus superscript

Subscript sits below the baseline and is smaller than regular text. Superscript sits above the baseline and is also smaller. The choice depends on what you are writing.

Use subscript for chemical formulas (CO₂, H₂SO₄), mathematical subscripts (x₁, a₂), and some footnote systems. Use superscript for exponents (x², 2³), trademark symbols (™), registered marks (®), and footnote or endnote numbers that Word inserts automatically.

Word handles both with separate keyboard shortcuts, so you can switch between them in the same document without changing any settings.

Subscript in different versions of Word

The keyboard shortcut Ctrl + = works in Word 2016, Word 2019, Word for Microsoft 365, and Word Online. Mac versions use Cmd + = with the same result. The shortcut is consistent across versions because it is built into the core text formatting system.

Older versions of Word (2010 and earlier) also support this shortcut, though the menu path may differ slightly. If you use Word Online in a browser, the keyboard shortcut works the same way, and you can also access subscript through the Home tab by clicking the subscript button if your browser displays it.

If you work across multiple devices or versions, the keyboard shortcut is the most reliable method because it does not depend on menu layout or toolbar visibility.

Removing subscript formatting

To remove subscript from text, select the subscript text and press Ctrl + = (Windows) or Cmd + = (Mac) again. The formatting toggles off and the text returns to normal size and position on the baseline.

You can also select the text and use Format > Text > Subscript to toggle it off through the menu. If you have multiple sections of subscript text to fix, select all of them at once (using Ctrl + Click or Cmd + Click) and press the shortcut once to remove subscript from all selected sections together.

Subscript in tables and special document sections

Subscript works the same way inside tables, headers, footers, and text boxes as it does in the main document body. Select the text within the cell or section and press Ctrl + = or Cmd + = to explore or remove subscript.

If you are working in a header or footer, click inside that section first to place your cursor there, then select the text you want to format. The keyboard shortcut responds the same way. This is useful if you need subscript in page numbers, document titles, or repeated information that appears on every page.

Subscript and copy-paste behavior

When you copy text with subscript formatting from Word and paste it into another Word document, the subscript formatting comes along. The text remains subscript in the new location without any extra steps.

If you paste subscript text into a program that does not support formatting (like plain text email or a basic text editor), the subscript formatting is lost and the text appears at normal size. To preserve subscript in those cases, you may need to paste as an image or use a different file format like PDF.

Within Word itself, subscript is a stable format that travels with the text through copying, moving between documents, and saving in different Word file formats (.docx, .doc, .rtf).

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Ctrl + = not work on my keyboard?

Some keyboard layouts, particularly on laptops or international keyboards, may require you to hold additional keys or use a different key combination. Try using the Format menu instead: select your text, go to Format > Text > Subscript. If you use this method regularly, you can assign a custom keyboard shortcut through File > Options > Customize Ribbon (Windows) or Word > Preferences > Keyboard (Mac).

Can I make subscript text larger or smaller than the default size?

Word sets subscript to a fixed smaller size relative to your regular text. You cannot adjust how much smaller it becomes through the subscript button alone. However, you can select subscript text and manually change its font size using the font size dropdown, then explore subscript on top of that custom size.

Does subscript work in Word Online the same way as desktop Word?

Yes, the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + = (Windows) or Cmd + = (Mac) works in Word Online. You can also click the subscript button in the Home tab if your browser displays it. The formatting behaves identically and saves to your document in the cloud.

What is the difference between subscript and lowering text manually?

Subscript is a formatting style that automatically shrinks text and positions it below the baseline. Manually lowering text (by adding line breaks or using spacing) does not shrink it and can cause alignment problems. Subscript is the correct choice for chemical formulas, math notation, and professional documents because it maintains consistent appearance and spacing.