Keyboard Shortcut for Subscript and Superscript in Word (Windows and Mac)
If you write math problems, chemical formulas, or footnotes in Microsoft Word, you have probably wished for a faster way to switch text up or down. Word has a keyboard shortcut for subscript and superscript that works in seconds once you know the right keys, and it works the same way whether you are writing a school report or a lab paper.
The Keyboard Shortcut for Subscript and Superscript in Word
Here are the key combinations you need.
On Windows:
- Superscript: Ctrl + Shift + Plus (+)
- Subscript: Ctrl + Equal (=)
On Mac:
- Superscript: Command + Shift + Plus (+)
- Subscript: Command + Equal (=)
The plus sign and the equal sign share the same key on most keyboards, so you press Shift to get the plus symbol. You do not need the number pad for either shortcut.
To turn the formatting off, press the same keys again. This switches subscript or superscript on and off, so you can jump back to normal text without touching your mouse.
Why People Look for This Shortcut
Typing small raised or lowered numbers and letters by hand is slow and frustrating. Students need it for math homework, chemistry students need it for formulas like H2O and CO2, and writers need it for footnotes, citations, and ordinal numbers like 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. Once your fingers learn the pattern, you can format a formula or footnote without breaking your typing rhythm. If you like using shortcuts for text formatting, you might also want the keyboard shortcut for strikethrough in Word, since it works in a similar way.
How to Use the Superscript Shortcut, Step by Step
- Open your Word document and click where you want the raised text.
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Plus on Windows, or Command + Shift + Plus on Mac.
- Type the letter or number you want raised.
- Press the same keys again to turn superscript off before you keep typing.
This is useful for exponents such as x squared, footnote numbers, or trademark symbols.
How to Use the Subscript Shortcut, Step by Step
- Click where you want the lowered text to appear.
- Press Ctrl + Equal on Windows, or Command + Equal on Mac.
- Type the letter or number.
- Press the same keys again to return to normal text.
This works well for chemical formulas, mathematical notation, and footnote markers.
Windows and Mac: What Changes
The pattern stays almost the same across both systems. Windows uses the Ctrl key, while Mac uses the Command key. Everything else, including the Shift and Plus or Equal keys, stays the same. If you switch between a Windows laptop at school and a Mac at home, your fingers only need to remember one small change. For more Mac shortcuts you can use every day, take a look at our Mac keyboard shortcuts page.
What to Do If the Shortcut Does Not Work
Sometimes the shortcut refuses to respond. Here are the most common reasons and fixes:
- Wrong keyboard layout: Some international keyboards place the plus and equal keys in different spots. Check your keyboard’s layout settings if the shortcut feels off.
- Function lock is on: On some laptops, a function lock changes what the top row of keys does. Turn it off and try again.
- Autocorrect interference: Rarely, add-ins or autocorrect rules can override shortcuts. Try restarting Word if this happens.
- Wrong app: These shortcuts only work inside Word. Google Docs and other apps use different key combinations.
If none of these fix the problem, you can always turn on formatting through the ribbon instead.
Other Ways to Turn On Subscript or Superscript
The keyboard shortcut is the fastest option, but Word gives you two backup methods:
- The Home tab: Look for the small raised and lowered letter buttons in the Font section of the ribbon.
- The Font dialog box: Press Ctrl + D (Windows) or Command + D (Mac) to open the Font window, then check the Superscript or Subscript box.
These methods take a few extra clicks, but they help if you forget the shortcut or need to adjust the position and size of the raised or lowered text. This same pattern shows up across other Office programs too. If you work with spreadsheets, our page on Microsoft Excel shortcuts covers similar Ctrl-based combinations worth knowing.
Where This Shortcut Comes in Handy
- Math: Writing exponents like two cubed or algebraic terms.
- Chemistry: Formulas such as H2O, CO2, or C6H12O6.
- Footnotes and citations: Adding small reference numbers at the end of a sentence.
- Ordinal numbers: Formatting dates like May 1st or June 3rd the way Word usually shows them by default.
- Trademarks and legal text: Adding small symbols above the line, such as a trademark or copyright mark.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the keyboard shortcut for superscript in Word?
On Windows, press Ctrl + Shift + Plus. On Mac, press Command + Shift + Plus.
What is the keyboard shortcut for subscript in Word?
On Windows, press Ctrl + Equal. On Mac, press Command + Equal.
Why is my subscript and superscript shortcut not working?
Check your keyboard layout, turn off function lock, and confirm you are working inside Word rather than another app.
Can I change the shortcut to something else?
Yes. Go to File, then Options, then Customize Ribbon, then Keyboard Shortcuts, to set your own key combination for subscript or superscript.
Does this shortcut work in Word Online?
Word Online supports the same shortcuts on most browsers, though a few browser settings may block certain key combinations. If you also switch between Word and Outlook during your workday, our Outlook keyboard shortcuts page has a similar set of time-saving combinations.
A Quick Recap for Your Next Document
Once you use the keyboard shortcut for subscript and superscript a few times, it becomes second nature. Ctrl or Command with Shift and Plus gives you superscript, and Ctrl or Command with Equal gives you subscript. Keep this page open the next time you write a formula, footnote, or ordinal number, and your formatting will look right on the first try.
