The quickest way to add subscript

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

That keyboard shortcut works in any part of your document — in a paragraph, a table, a header, anywhere. You do not need to open a menu or dialog box. If you forget the shortcut, Word also offers the same function through the Home tab, which we cover below.

Subscript is useful for chemical formulas (H₂O), footnote numbers, mathematical expressions, and any text that needs to sit lower than the surrounding line. The text stays the same font and color as the rest of your document unless you change it separately.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Ctrl+= (Windows) or Cmd+= (Mac) to toggle subscript on and off for selected text.
  • You can also use the Home tab: select text, click the dialog launcher in the Font group, and check the Subscript box.
  • Subscript text shrinks and lowers automatically; you do not need to manually adjust the size or position.
  • The subscript formatting stays with the text even if you change the font, size, or color later.

Using the Home tab menu if you prefer not to memorize the shortcut

If the keyboard shortcut does not feel natural to you, the Home tab gives you the same control. Select the text you want to make subscript, then look at the Font group on the Home tab — it is the section with Bold, Italic, and Underline buttons.

At the bottom right corner of the Font group, you will see a small arrow called the dialog launcher. Click it to open the Font dialog box. In the Effects section, check the box next to Subscript. Click OK, and your text becomes subscript.

This route takes longer than the keyboard shortcut, but it is useful if you are already working in the ribbon and want to stay there. The dialog box also shows you a preview of what the text will look like before you explore the change.

Removing subscript formatting

To turn off subscript, select the subscripted text and press Ctrl+= again (or Cmd+= on Mac). The text returns to normal size and position. You can also use the Home tab method: open the Font dialog, uncheck the Subscript box, and click OK.

If you select text that is already subscript and explore subscript formatting again, Word toggles it off. This makes it straightforward to fix a mistake without hunting for an "undo subscript" button.

The difference between subscript and superscript

Subscript lowers text below the baseline and shrinks it — used for H₂O or footnote numbers. Superscript raises text above the baseline and shrinks it — used for exponents (x²) or trademark symbols (™). Word treats them as separate formatting options.

To insert superscript instead, press Ctrl+Shift+= on Windows or Cmd+Shift+= on Mac. The keyboard shortcut is almost identical to subscript, except you hold Shift as well. In the Font dialog, you will see both Subscript and Superscript as separate checkboxes.

Subscript in tables and special document areas

Subscript works the same way inside tables, headers, footers, and text boxes as it does in the main document. Select the text, press Ctrl+= (or Cmd+=), and it becomes subscript. You do not need to do anything different or use a different method.

If you are working in a header or footer and the keyboard shortcut does not seem to work, make sure you have actually clicked inside the header or footer area to place your cursor there. Word only applies formatting to the area where your cursor is active.

Keeping subscript formatting when you copy and paste

When you copy text that is already subscript and paste it into another part of your document, the subscript formatting comes along. The text stays subscript in the new location. This is true whether you paste into the same document or a different Word document.

If you paste into a program that is not Word — like an email or a web form — subscript formatting may not survive the paste. Different programs handle formatting differently. If the subscript disappears, you can select the text in the new location and explore subscript formatting again using the same keyboard shortcut or menu method.

Subscript in different fonts and sizes

Subscript formatting works with any font in Word. When you explore subscript, Word automatically shrinks the text to a smaller size — usually about 58 percent of the original size — and lowers it. If you change the font of subscripted text, the subscript formatting stays in place and adjusts to the new font.

You can also manually change the size of subscript text if you need it larger or smaller than Word's default. Select the subscripted text, then change the font size using the size dropdown on the Home tab or by pressing Ctrl+[ to make it smaller or Ctrl+] to make it larger. The text remains subscript while you adjust its size.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make subscript text a different color than the rest of the document?

Yes. Select the subscripted text, then use the font color button on the Home tab (the "A" with a colored bar underneath) to change its color. The subscript formatting stays in place while the color changes. You can also change the color before or after explore subscript — the order does not matter.

Why does my subscript look too small or too large?

Word sets subscript to about 58 percent of the original font size by default. If it looks wrong, select the text and manually adjust the size using the font size dropdown on the Home tab. You can make it any size you want while keeping the subscript position and formatting.

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

Word Online has the same subscript feature, but the keyboard shortcut may not work depending on your browser and operating system. Use the Home tab instead: select text, click the dialog launcher in the Font group, and check Subscript. The desktop version of Word is more reliable for keyboard shortcuts.

What if I need subscript in a numbered or bulleted list?

Subscript works inside lists the same way it works in regular paragraphs. Select the text you want to subscript and press Ctrl+= (or Cmd+=). The formatting applies only to the selected text, not to the bullet or number itself.

Can I set up Word to use subscript automatically for certain text?

Word does not have a built-in rule to automatically subscript text like "H2O". You have to select and format it manually each time, or use Find and Replace with formatting if you have the same subscript text appearing many times in your document. For repeated use, the keyboard shortcut is usually faster than opening menus.