The quickest way to add subscript in Google Docs

To add subscript in Google Docs, highlight the text you want to make smaller and lower, then press Ctrl + Comma on Windows or Cmd + Comma on Mac. The text shrinks and drops below the baseline immediately. To undo it, select the text again and press the same keyboard shortcut a second time.

Superscript — text that sits above the line — uses Ctrl + Period on Windows or Cmd + Period on Mac. Both shortcuts toggle on and off, so you can apply them, remove them, or switch between subscript and superscript without opening any menus.

If the keyboard shortcut does not work, your keyboard layout or browser settings may be blocking it. The menu route always works: select your text, go to Format in the top menu, choose Text, then pick Superscript or Subscript.

Key Takeaways

  • Subscript and superscript both use keyboard shortcuts: Ctrl+Comma (or Cmd+Comma on Mac) for subscript, and Ctrl+Period (or Cmd+Period on Mac) for superscript.
  • You must highlight the text first before pressing the shortcut, or the formatting will not apply.
  • If keyboard shortcuts do not work, use Format > Text > Superscript or Subscript from the menu instead.
  • Subscript and superscript can be mixed in the same document — each piece of text keeps its own formatting independently.
  • Both formatting options work in headers, footers, and exported files like Word documents and PDFs.

When to use subscript versus superscript

Subscript appears in chemical formulas (H₂O), footnote or endnote markers, and mathematical notation. It sits below the baseline and is smaller than regular text. Use it when you need to show that something is a component or a lower value.

Superscript appears in exponents (x²), footnote references, trademark symbols (™), and ordinal numbers (1st, 2nd, 3rd). It sits above the baseline. Use it for anything that belongs "above" the main text conceptually or mathematically.

Google Docs treats both the same way — they are just different directions. Once you know the shortcuts, switching between them takes one keystroke.

Using the Format menu if shortcuts do not work

If Ctrl+Comma or Ctrl+Period does not respond, your keyboard or browser may be intercepting the command. The menu method works on any device:

  1. Highlight the text you want to format.
  2. Click Format in the top menu bar.
  3. Click Text from the dropdown.
  4. Choose Superscript or Subscript.

The text formats instantly. You can undo it the same way — select the text, go back to Format > Text, and click the option again to toggle it off.

Formatting multiple pieces of text in one document

Each piece of text in your document can have its own formatting. You can have subscript in one place, superscript in another, and normal text everywhere else, all in the same paragraph if you need to.

To format a new section, simply highlight it and apply the shortcut or menu command again. Google Docs does not carry formatting forward — each selection is independent. This means you can write a chemistry equation with multiple subscripts without worrying that the formatting will spread to text you have not selected.

You can also combine subscript or superscript with other text formatting. If you need bold subscript or italic superscript, apply the subscript or superscript first, then select the text again and add bold or italic formatting on top of it.

Removing subscript or superscript formatting

To remove subscript or superscript, highlight the formatted text and press the same keyboard shortcut again. Ctrl+Comma removes subscript, and Ctrl+Period removes superscript. The text returns to normal size and position on the baseline.

You can also use Format > Text and click the option a second time to toggle it off. There is no separate "remove" command — the shortcuts and menu options work as on-off switches.

Subscript and superscript in exported documents

When you download your Google Doc as a Word file (.docx), subscript and superscript formatting carries over and works the same way in Microsoft Word. If you export as a PDF, the formatting is preserved in the PDF as well. Plain text exports (.txt) will lose the formatting because plain text has no way to store it.

If you are sharing the document with someone else through Google Docs itself, they will see the subscript and superscript exactly as you formatted it, regardless of what device or browser they use. The formatting is part of the document and travels with it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make subscript or superscript text a different color or font?

Yes. Format the text for subscript or superscript first, then select it again and change the color or font using the toolbar or Format menu. The subscript or superscript formatting stays in place while you add color or font changes on top of it.

What if I want to type subscript or superscript as I go, without selecting text afterward?

Press the keyboard shortcut first to turn on subscript or superscript mode, type your text, then press the shortcut again to turn it off. This is faster than typing and then selecting if you know exactly where the subscript or superscript needs to go.

Does subscript or superscript work the same way on mobile as on desktop?

The keyboard shortcuts do not work on mobile devices. Use the menu instead: highlight your text, tap the three-dot menu, select Format, then Text, then Superscript or Subscript. It works the same way, just through a different route.

Can I use subscript or superscript in headers or footers?

Yes. Click into the header or footer area, then highlight and format text the same way you would in the main document. The shortcuts and menu commands work everywhere in the document.