What superscript and subscript are, and when you need them
Superscript is a smaller character printed above the line of regular text. Subscript is a smaller character printed below the line. They look different because they serve different purposes in writing, math, science, and formal documents.
Superscript appears most often for footnotes (like this¹), copyright symbols (©), trademark symbols (™), exponents in math (2³ = 8), and ordinal numbers (1st, 2nd, 3rd). Subscript appears in chemical formulas (H₂O), mathematical variables, and some technical notation.
If you write in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or most email programs, you can format text as superscript or subscript using keyboard shortcuts or menu options. The method depends on which program you use and whether you are on Windows or Mac.
Key Takeaways
- Superscript sits above the line and is used for footnotes, exponents, and ordinal numbers like 1st or 2nd.
- Subscript sits below the line and is used for chemical formulas like H₂O and mathematical notation.
- In Microsoft Word on Windows, press Ctrl+Shift+P for superscript and Ctrl+= for subscript.
- In Google Docs, use the Format menu to access superscript and subscript options, or use keyboard shortcuts on Mac (Cmd+Shift+P and Cmd+=).
- Most email programs and web forms do not support superscript or subscript formatting, so plain text alternatives may be needed.
How to format superscript in Microsoft Word
Select the text or number you want to make superscript. On Windows, press Ctrl+Shift+P. On Mac, press Cmd+Shift+P. The selected text will shrink and move above the line when ready.
You can also use the menu: click the Home tab, then look for the superscript button in the Font group (it looks like x²). If you do not see it, click the small arrow at the bottom right of the Font group to open more options.
To undo superscript formatting, select the text again and press the same keyboard shortcut a second time, or click the superscript button again.
How to format subscript in Microsoft Word
Select the text or number you want to make subscript. On Windows, press Ctrl+= (Ctrl and the equals sign). On Mac, press Cmd+=. The selected text will shrink and move below the line.
From the menu, click Home, then find the subscript button in the Font group (it looks like x₂). The button sits right next to the superscript button. Click the arrow at the bottom right of the Font group if you need to see more options.
To remove subscript formatting, select the text and press the keyboard shortcut again.
How to format superscript and subscript in Google Docs
Select the text you want to format. Click the Format menu at the top. Hover over Text, then click either Superscript or Subscript from the dropdown.
On Mac, you can also use keyboard shortcuts: Cmd+Shift+P for superscript and Cmd+= for subscript. Windows keyboard shortcuts do not work the same way in Google Docs as they do in Word, so the menu method is more reliable.
To remove the formatting, select the text again, go to Format > Text, and click the same option a second time to toggle it off.
Superscript and subscript in email and web forms
Most email programs (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo Mail) and web-based forms do not support superscript or subscript formatting. If you type a superscript or subscript in Word and paste it into email, the formatting usually disappears.
For footnotes in email, use a straightforward number in brackets instead: write "See reference [1]" at the end of your sentence, then list your sources below. For chemical formulas or math, write the number or letter normally and add a note explaining what it means: "H2O (water)" or "x2 (x squared)".
Some email programs allow limited HTML formatting if you switch to HTML mode, but this requires technical knowledge and is not reliable across all email providers and devices.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
The most common mistake is using superscript or subscript when the program does not support it, then wondering why the formatting vanished when someone else opens the document. Always test your formatting in the actual program where the document will be read.
Another mistake is formatting the wrong character. For a footnote, only the number or symbol should be superscript, not the word before it. For a chemical formula, only the number should be subscript. Select carefully before you explore the formatting.
A third mistake is using superscript for ordinal numbers in casual writing when it is not required. "1st place" and "1ˢᵗ place" both mean the same thing. Use superscript only when your style guide requires it or when you are writing a formal document.
When to use superscript vs subscript: real examples
| Situation | Format | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Footnote or endnote | Superscript | This is a fact.¹ |
| Exponent or power | Superscript | 2³ = 8 |
| Ordinal number | Superscript | She finished 1ˢᵗ in the race. |
| Trademark or copyright | Superscript | Microsoft Word™ |
| Chemical formula | Subscript | H₂O, CO₂ |
| Mathematical variable or coefficient | Subscript | x₁, x₂, a₀ |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use superscript or subscript on my phone?
Most phone keyboards do not have built-in superscript or subscript buttons. If you use Google Docs on your phone, you can still access these options through the Format menu. For email or text messages, use plain text alternatives like [1] for footnotes or H2O for chemical formulas.
What if I need superscript but my program does not support it?
Use a plain text workaround: write the number or letter normally and add a note if needed. For footnotes, use [1], [2], [3]. For exponents, write "2^3" or "2 to the power of 3". For ordinal numbers, write "1st" or "2nd" without formatting.
Does superscript or subscript change the meaning of what I write?
The formatting itself does not change the meaning, but it signals to the reader what the text represents. A superscript 2 after a number means "squared," while a regular 2 means just the number 2. Context matters, so use the correct format for clarity.
Can I copy and paste superscript or subscript from one program to another?
Sometimes. Copying from Word to Word usually works. Copying from Word to email often loses the formatting. Test by copying a small example first, then pasting it where you need it to see if the formatting stays.