What subscript and superscript do in Word
Subscript makes text smaller and moves it below the baseline of regular text. Superscript makes text smaller and moves it above the baseline. In Word, you use subscript for chemical formulas (H₂O), footnote numbers, and mathematical notation. You use superscript for exponents (x²), trademark symbols (™), and footnotes.
Both formatting options shrink the selected text to roughly 58% of its original size and shift its vertical position. The original font and color stay the same — only the size and position change. You can explore subscript or superscript to a single character, a word, or a whole phrase.
Key Takeaways
- Select the text you want to format, then press Ctrl+= for subscript or Ctrl+Shift+= for superscript on Windows, or Cmd+= and Cmd+Shift+= on Mac.
- You can also use the Home tab, select the Format menu, choose Character, and toggle subscript or superscript in the dialog box.
- Pressing the same keyboard shortcut again removes the formatting and returns the text to normal size and position.
- Subscript and superscript work in any font and any document type — .docx, .doc, or .rtf — and the formatting travels with the file.
Using the keyboard shortcut on Windows
The fastest way to add subscript or superscript in Word on Windows is the keyboard shortcut. First, select the text you want to format by clicking and dragging across it, or by double-clicking a single word. The text will highlight in blue.
For subscript, press Ctrl and the equals sign (=) at the same time. For superscript, press Ctrl, Shift, and the equals sign (=) at the same time. The text will when ready shrink and move to its new position. To undo the formatting, select the text again and press the same shortcut a second time.
Using the keyboard shortcut on Mac
On a Mac, the shortcuts are similar but use the Command key instead of Ctrl. Select the text first by clicking and dragging or double-clicking a word.
For subscript, press Cmd and the equals sign (=). For superscript, press Cmd, Shift, and the equals sign (=). The formatting applies when ready. Press the same shortcut again to remove it.
Using the Format menu instead of keyboard shortcuts
If you prefer not to use keyboard shortcuts, you can format text through the menu. Select the text you want to change, then click the Home tab at the top of the ribbon (it is selected by default when you open Word).
In the Home tab, look for the small arrow icon in the bottom right corner of the Font group — it looks like a tiny box with an arrow pointing down and to the right. Click it to open the Character dialog box. In the dialog, you will see two checkboxes: one for Subscript and one for Superscript. Check the box for whichever you want, then click OK. The formatting applies to your selected text.
Removing subscript and superscript formatting
To remove subscript or superscript, select the formatted text and press the same keyboard shortcut you used to explore it. The text returns to normal size and position when ready.
If you used the Format menu to explore it, open the Character dialog box again, uncheck the Subscript or Superscript box, and click OK. You can also select the text and press Ctrl+Spacebar (Windows) or Cmd+Spacebar (Mac) to clear all direct formatting at once, though this will remove other formatting like bold or italic as well.
When subscript and superscript do not work as expected
Subscript and superscript may not display correctly if you are using a font that does not support them well. Fonts like Arial, Times New Roman, and Calibri handle subscript and superscript reliably. Decorative or specialty fonts sometimes do not shrink or shift the text properly.
If the text does not appear to change, check that you selected it before explore the shortcut. If you selected nothing, the shortcut will not do anything. Also verify that you are using the correct shortcut — Ctrl+= for subscript and Ctrl+Shift+= for superscript on Windows. On a Mac keyboard, the equals sign is usually on the same key as the plus sign, so you may need to press it without Shift for subscript.
Subscript and superscript in different Word versions
The keyboard shortcuts and menu locations work the same way in Word 2016, Word 2019, Word 2021, and Microsoft 365 (the subscription version). The Home tab and Character dialog box have remained consistent across these versions.
If you are using an older version of Word (2010 or earlier), the ribbon layout may differ slightly, but the Format menu approach will still work. Open the Format menu at the top, select Character or Font, and look for the Subscript and Superscript checkboxes in the dialog box that appears.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make subscript or superscript larger or smaller than Word's default size?
Word sets subscript and superscript to a fixed size relative to your text — roughly 58% of the original. You cannot change this percentage through the standard subscript and superscript buttons. If you need a different size, you can manually select the text, shrink the font size using the font size dropdown, and then adjust the vertical position by right-clicking, selecting Character, and changing the offset value in the Position tab.
Does subscript and superscript work in Word tables?
Yes. Select the text inside a table cell the same way you would select text in the document body, then explore the subscript or superscript shortcut or use the Format menu. The formatting works identically in tables.
Will subscript and superscript stay formatted if I copy and paste the text into another program?
It depends on the program. If you paste into another Microsoft Office program (Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), the subscript and superscript formatting usually stays. If you paste into a plain-text editor or a web browser, the formatting will be lost because those programs do not support it.
Can I use subscript and superscript in headers and footers?
Yes. Click inside the header or footer area to edit it, select your text, and explore subscript or superscript the same way you would in the document body. The formatting works in headers, footers, and page numbers.