How to Insert Superscript and Subscript in Word

This guide shows you how to add superscript (text raised above the line, like exponents) and subscript (text lowered below the line, like chemical formulas) in Microsoft Word. You’ll learn the fastest methods using keyboard shortcuts, the ribbon toolbar, and the Font dialog box, so you can format text exactly the way you need it.

What You’ll Need

• Microsoft Word installed on your computer (any recent version, including Microsoft 365, Word 2021, 2019, or 2016).
• A document open with the text you want to format, or a blank document to practice on.

Step-by-Step

There are three reliable ways to insert superscript and subscript in Word. The method you choose depends on how often you need the feature and whether you prefer using the mouse or keyboard.

Method 1: Using the Ribbon Toolbar (Easiest for Beginners)

1. Open your document in Microsoft Word.
2. Select the text you want to format as superscript or subscript. Click and drag your mouse over the character(s), or hold the Shift key and use the arrow keys to highlight them.
3. Go to the “Home” tab in the top ribbon. This is the default tab, so it’s usually already visible.
4. Look for the “Font” group in the middle of the ribbon. You’ll see two small icons: one with an “x²” symbol (superscript) and one with an “x₂” symbol (subscript).
5. Click the superscript icon (x²) to raise the selected text, or click the subscript icon (x₂) to lower it. The text will immediately change.
6. To turn it off, click the same icon again. This is useful when you want to type new text at the normal level right after the formatted text.

Method 2: Using Keyboard Shortcuts (Fastest for Frequent Use)

1. Select the text you want to format, just as in Method 1.
2. For superscript, press Ctrl + Shift + Plus sign (+) on Windows, or Command + Shift + Plus sign (+) on a Mac. The plus sign is the one on the top row of your keyboard, not the one on the number pad (though the number pad one often works too).
3. For subscript, press Ctrl + Equals sign (=) on Windows, or Command + Equals sign (=) on a Mac.
4. Press the same shortcut again to revert the text back to normal. This is the quickest way to toggle the format on and off as you type.

Method 3: Using the Font Dialog Box (For Advanced Options)

1. Select the text you want to format.
2. Open the Font dialog box by clicking the small arrow icon in the bottom-right corner of the “Font” group on the Home tab. Alternatively, press Ctrl + D (Windows) or Command + D (Mac).
3. In the dialog box, find the “Effects” section near the bottom.
4. Check the box next to “Superscript” or “Subscript” depending on what you need.
5. Click “OK” to apply the change. This method also lets you set an exact offset (how far above or below the line the text sits) by adjusting the “Offset” percentage, though the default is usually fine.

Inserting a Symbol That Is Already Superscript or Subscript

Sometimes you don’t need to format existing text; you just want to insert a special character like ² (squared) or ₃ (subscript three).

1. Place your cursor where you want the symbol to appear.
2. Go to the “Insert” tab in the ribbon.
3. Click “Symbol” on the far right, then select “More Symbols…”
4. In the dialog box, set the “Subset” dropdown to “Superscripts and Subscripts” to see all available characters.
5. Select the symbol you want and click “Insert.”

Common Mistakes

• Formatting the wrong text: Make sure you select only the characters that need to be raised or lowered. Selecting an entire word will make the whole word superscript or subscript.
• Forgetting to toggle it off: If you click the superscript icon and then start typing, everything you type will be superscript until you click the icon again. This is a frequent source of confusion.
• Using the wrong shortcut: The superscript shortcut uses the plus sign, and the subscript shortcut uses the equals sign. Mixing them up is easy, especially if you’re new to the shortcuts.
• Confusing superscript with other formatting: Superscript is not the same as making text bold, italic, or underlined. It specifically changes the vertical position of the text.

Tips

• Use the shortcuts for speed: Once you memorize Ctrl + Shift + + for superscript and Ctrl + = for subscript, you’ll format text much faster than using the mouse.
• Create custom shortcuts: If you don’t like the default shortcuts, you can change them. Go to File > Options > Customize Ribbon, then click “Customize…” next to Keyboard shortcuts. Find the commands “Superscript” and “Subscript” and assign your own key combinations.
• Use it for footnotes and endnotes: Word automatically formats footnote references as superscript. If you’re typing a reference manually, use the superscript feature to match the style.
• Check the offset for professional documents: In the Font dialog box, you can adjust the “Offset” percentage. A higher percentage raises or lowers the text more, which can be useful for specific formatting requirements.

Troubleshooting

The shortcut doesn’t work. First, check that you’re pressing the correct keys. On some keyboards, the plus sign requires holding the Shift key, so the full shortcut is Ctrl + Shift + Plus. If you’re on a laptop without a dedicated plus key, you may need to use the number pad or the on-screen keyboard. If it still doesn’t work, try the ribbon method instead.

The text doesn’t look different. Superscript and subscript changes are subtle. The text is raised or lowered by only a few points. If you’re not sure it worked, look closely at the baseline of the text. If you want a more dramatic effect, you can increase the offset in the Font dialog box.

The formatting disappears when I save or print. This is rare, but it can happen if you’re using an unusual font that doesn’t support superscript or subscript. Try switching to a standard font like Calibri, Arial, or Times New Roman.

The icons are grayed out. This usually means you have a non-text object selected, like an image or a table. Click on a text area first, then try again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use superscript and subscript in headers and footers?
A: Yes, you can. The same methods work anywhere you can type text in Word, including headers, footers, text boxes, and table cells.

Q: How do I type a superscript 2 (²) without formatting text?
A: You can use the Insert > Symbol method and select the ² character from the “Superscripts and Subscripts” subset. Alternatively, on Windows, you can hold the Alt key and type 0178 on the number pad. On a Mac, press Option + 2.

Q: Does superscript and subscript work in Word Online (the free web version)?
A: Yes, Word for the web supports both. You’ll find the superscript and subscript buttons in the “Home” tab under the “Font” group. Keyboard shortcuts also work in most browsers.

Q: Can I remove superscript formatting from a whole document at once?
A: Yes. Press Ctrl + A to select the entire document, then open the Font dialog box (Ctrl + D), uncheck the “Superscript” and “Subscript” boxes, and click OK. This will remove all such formatting.

Q: Why would I use the Font dialog box instead of the toolbar?
A: The Font dialog box gives you more control, like setting a custom offset percentage. It’s also useful if you’re applying multiple formatting changes at once, such as bold and superscript together.

Q: Is there a way to make the superscript or subscript smaller or larger?
A: The size is automatically set by Word based on your font size. To change it, you’d need to manually select the formatted text and change the font size, but this can look inconsistent. The “Offset” setting in the Font dialog box only changes the vertical position, not the size.

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