The fastest way to add subscript in Word

To make text subscript in Microsoft Word, select the characters you want to shrink and move below the baseline, then press Ctrl+= (Ctrl and the equals sign) on Windows, or Cmd+= on Mac. The text immediately becomes smaller and drops below the line. Press the same keys again to turn subscript off.

This keyboard shortcut works in Word on desktop, Word Online, and Word for Mac. It is the fastest method if you format frequently, because your hands stay on the keyboard.

If the keyboard shortcut does not work on your keyboard layout, or if you prefer using the menu, Word also offers a button in the ribbon and a dialog box option — both described below.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Ctrl+= (Windows) or Cmd+= (Mac) after selecting text to make it subscript instantly.
  • The Home tab in the ribbon holds a subscript button in the Font group, marked with a small lowered letter.
  • Subscript and superscript are separate formatting options — subscript moves text down, superscript moves it up.
  • You can apply subscript to individual characters, whole words, or multiple words at once.

Using the ribbon button in Word

If you prefer clicking to keyboard shortcuts, the subscript button sits in the Home tab. Select the text first, then look in the Font group (the section near the left side of the ribbon with font name and size). You will see a small "x" with a lowered number next to it — that is the subscript button.

Click it once to apply subscript. Click it again to remove subscript. The button toggles on and off, so you do not need to remember a separate command to turn it off.

On Word Online, the same button appears in the same location. On Word for Mac, it is also in the Home tab, in the same Font group.

Subscript through the Format menu

You can also reach subscript through the menu system. Select your text, then click the Format menu at the top. Choose Text, then look for Subscript or Effects (the exact wording varies by Word version). A checkmark will appear next to Subscript when it is active.

This route takes more clicks than the keyboard shortcut or the ribbon button, but it is useful if you are already in the Format menu for another reason, or if you want to see all text formatting options at once.

What subscript looks like and when to use it

Subscript makes text smaller and lowers it below the baseline of regular text. The most common use is in chemistry formulas — for example, H₂O has the "2" in subscript. It is also used in mathematics for variable indices, in footnote numbers in some document styles, and in chemical or scientific notation.

Subscript is different from superscript, which raises text above the baseline instead of lowering it. Superscript is used for exponents (like 2³), footnote markers, and trademark symbols. Word has a separate keyboard shortcut for superscript: Ctrl+Shift+= on Windows, or Cmd+Shift+= on Mac.

Do not confuse subscript with simply making text smaller. Subscript also moves the text down, which is important for readability in formulas and scientific writing.

Subscript in different Word versions

The keyboard shortcut Ctrl+= works in Word 2016, Word 2019, Word 2021, and Microsoft 365 on Windows. On Mac, use Cmd+= in Word 2016, Word 2019, and Word for Mac 2019 and later. Word Online also supports the keyboard shortcut in most browsers.

If you are using an older version of Word or a different keyboard layout, the shortcut may not work. In that case, use the ribbon button or the Format menu instead — both methods work across all versions.

Some international keyboard layouts do not have an equals sign in the same location as US keyboards. If the shortcut does not work, try the ribbon button or menu instead, or check your keyboard layout settings.

Removing subscript formatting

To remove subscript, select the text that is currently subscript and press Ctrl+= (or Cmd+= on Mac) again. The text returns to normal size and position. You can also click the subscript button in the ribbon a second time, or use the Format menu to toggle it off.

If you have multiple pieces of subscript text and want to remove all of them at once, use Find and Replace. Open Find and Replace with Ctrl+H, then click More Options or Format to search for subscript formatting specifically. This is faster than selecting each piece individually in a long document.

Subscript in tables and special cases

Subscript works the same way inside tables as it does in regular text. Select the text in the table cell, apply subscript using any of the three methods above, and it formats immediately.

If you are working with headers or footers, subscript also works normally. Select the text in the header or footer and apply subscript the same way you would in the document body.

In some cases, if you paste text from another program, the subscript formatting may not carry over. If that happens, reapply subscript to the pasted text using the same steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Ctrl+= not work on my keyboard?

Some keyboard layouts, especially international ones, do not have an equals sign in the same location as a US keyboard. Try using the ribbon button or Format menu instead. You can also check your keyboard layout settings in your operating system to see where the equals sign is located on your specific layout.

Can I make subscript text even smaller?

Subscript in Word uses a fixed size relative to the surrounding text — you cannot make it smaller through the subscript command itself. If you need smaller text, you can select the subscript text and manually reduce the font size using the font size dropdown in the Home tab.

Does subscript work in Word Online the same way as desktop Word?

Yes. The keyboard shortcut Ctrl+= works in Word Online in most browsers, and the ribbon button is in the same location. Some older browsers may have limited support, but the button method works in all current versions of Word Online.

What is the difference between subscript and just making text smaller?

Subscript both shrinks the text and lowers it below the baseline. Making text smaller alone keeps it on the same line as regular text. For formulas and scientific notation, subscript is the correct choice because the lowered position is part of the meaning.

Can I use subscript in headers and footers?

Yes. Click inside the header or footer to edit it, select the text you want to make subscript, and apply subscript using any of the three methods. The formatting works the same way as in the document body.