The quickest way to add subscript in Word

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

This keyboard shortcut works in Word 2016, Word 2019, Word for Microsoft 365, and Word Online. If the keyboard shortcut does not work on your machine, it may be because your keyboard layout does not support the equals sign in that position — in that case, use the menu method instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Subscript text appears smaller and sits below the baseline; use Ctrl + = (Windows) or Cmd + = (Mac) to apply it instantly.
  • If the keyboard shortcut does not work, open the Home tab, click the small arrow next to Font, and check the Subscript box in the dialog.
  • You can also right-click selected text, choose Font, and enable Subscript from the menu.
  • Superscript uses the same methods but with Ctrl + Shift + = or Cmd + Shift + = if you need text that sits above the baseline instead.

Using the Format menu when the keyboard shortcut does not work

If Ctrl + = does not trigger subscript on your keyboard, the menu route works on every version of Word. Select the text first, then click the Home tab at the top of the ribbon.

Look for the Font group on the ribbon — it contains buttons for bold, italic, and underline. On the right side of that group, you will see a small diagonal arrow pointing down and to the right. Click that arrow to open the Font dialog box.

In the dialog, find the Effects tab (or look for a Subscript checkbox on the main Font tab, depending on your Word version). Check the box next to Subscript, then click OK. The selected text shrinks and drops below the line.

Right-click method for one-off subscript

If you only need subscript once or twice in a document, the right-click method is faster than opening the ribbon. Select the text you want to make subscript, then right-click it.

A menu appears. Click Font at the bottom of that menu. The Font dialog opens — the same one you reach from the Home tab. Check Subscript and click OK.

Subscript in Word Online

Word Online (the free version you use in a web browser) supports subscript through the Home tab. Select your text, click Home, then look for the subscript button in the Font group — it usually shows as an "x" with a small number below it.

Click that button once to apply subscript, or click it again to remove it. The keyboard shortcut Ctrl + = also works in Word Online on most browsers.

Common uses for subscript text

Subscript is used in chemistry formulas (H₂O, CO₂), mathematical notation (x₁, x₂), and footnote markers in some document styles. It is also common in biology when writing scientific names or chemical compounds.

If you are writing a formula or chemical name repeatedly, consider using Word's AutoCorrect feature to replace a shorthand version automatically. For example, you could set it so that typing "H2O" automatically becomes H₂O with subscript. This saves time if you have many instances in one document.

Superscript: the opposite of subscript

If you need text that sits above the baseline instead of below, that is called superscript. Use Ctrl + Shift + = (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + = (Mac). Superscript is used for exponents (x²), trademark symbols (™), and footnote numbers.

The menu method for superscript is identical to subscript — select the text, open the Font dialog, and check the Superscript box instead. You can also right-click and choose Font, then select Superscript from the Effects tab.

Troubleshooting subscript that does not appear

If you apply subscript but the text does not look smaller or lower, check your font. Some fonts do not have true subscript characters built in, so Word creates a fake version by shrinking and lowering regular text. This usually looks correct, but occasionally a font will not respond to the subscript command at all.

If this happens, try changing to a common font like Calibri, Arial, or Times New Roman, then apply subscript again. These fonts have full subscript support and will display correctly. You can also check the Font dialog to confirm that Subscript is actually checked — sometimes the checkbox appears checked but the setting did not save.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make subscript text a different size or color?

Yes. Apply subscript first, then with the text still selected, change the font size or color using the Home tab buttons. The subscript formatting stays in place while you adjust the appearance. You can also select subscript text later and change its formatting without removing the subscript effect.

Does subscript work in Word tables?

Yes, subscript works exactly the same way inside table cells. Select the text in the cell and use Ctrl + = or the Font dialog. The subscript text shrinks and lowers within the cell boundaries.

What if I need subscript in a header or footer?

Subscript works in headers and footers the same way as in the main document. Click inside the header or footer to edit it, select your text, then apply subscript using the keyboard shortcut or menu. When you click back in the document body, the header or footer closes and your subscript formatting is saved.

Can I undo subscript if I apply it by mistake?

Yes. Press Ctrl + Z immediately to undo, or select the subscript text and press Ctrl + = again to toggle it off. You can also open the Font dialog and uncheck the Subscript box.

Does subscript copy correctly when I paste text into another program?

Subscript usually copies to other Microsoft programs like Excel and PowerPoint without losing the formatting. Pasting into plain text editors or some web forms may lose the subscript effect, since those programs do not support text formatting. If the subscript does not survive the paste, you will need to reapply it in the new location.