How to Do Subscript and Superscript in Google Docs (Desktop & Mobile)

Have you ever needed to write H₂O, CO₂, x², or 10³ in a Google Docs document? Whether you’re working on a science assignment, math equation, research paper, or professional document, knowing how to use subscript and superscript in Google Docs is essential.

Fortunately, Google Docs offers several ways to format text as subscript or superscript. You can use keyboard shortcuts, the Format menu, the Equation Editor, or even your mobile device. Each method takes only a few seconds once you know where to find it.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to do subscript in Google Docs, how to superscript in Google Docs, the keyboard shortcuts for both, and when to use each formatting option.

Subscript vs. Superscript: What Is the Difference?

Use subscript in Google Docs when characters need to appear slightly below the baseline, such as in chemical formulas. Use superscript in Google Docs when characters should appear above the line, such as mathematical powers or reference numbers.

How to Superscript in Google Docs

Method 1: Keyboard Shortcut (Fastest)

This is the quickest way to apply superscript in Google Docs on desktop.

1. Select the text you want to raise.
2. Press the superscript shortcut:
   • Windows / Chrome OS: Ctrl + . (period)
   • Mac: ⌘ Command + . (period)
3. The selected text instantly becomes superscript.

Press the same shortcut again to toggle superscript off and return to normal text.

Method 2: Format Menu

1. Open your Google Docs document.
2. Select the text you want to format as superscript, or place your cursor where you want to start typing in superscript.
3. Click Format in the top menu bar.
4. Hover over Text.
5. Click Superscript from the submenu.

The highlighted text now appears raised above the baseline in a smaller font size. To remove superscript formatting, select the text and repeat the same steps — clicking Superscript again toggles it off.

Method 3: Equation Editor (For Math Expressions)

If you are working with mathematical equations rather than inline text, use the built-in Equation Editor.

1. Click Insert in the top menu.
2. Select Equation.
3. An equation toolbar appears. Type your base value (e.g., x).
4. Press Shift + 6 (the ^ symbol) to enter superscript mode inside the equation.
5. Type your exponent or superscript value.
6. Press Enter or click outside the equation box when finished.

Tip: The Equation Editor is best for multi-level formulas like x² + y² = z². For simple inline formatting like footnote numbers or ordinals (1st, 2nd), the shortcut or Format menu is quicker.

Method 4: Special Characters

Google Docs also includes built-in superscript Unicode characters you can insert directly — useful when you want a permanent character rather than formatted text.

1. Click Insert → Special characters.
2. In the search box, type superscript.
3. Click the character you need (e.g., ² ³ ¹) to insert it at your cursor position.

How to Do Subscript in Google Docs

If you’re wondering how to do subscript in Google Docs, there are four simple methods. Choose whichever is most convenient for your workflow.

Method 1: Keyboard Shortcut (Fastest)

The subscript shortcut in Google Docs is almost identical to superscript — just use a comma instead of a period.

1. Select the text you want to lower (e.g., the “2” in H2O).
2. Press the subscript shortcut:
   • Windows / Chrome OS: Ctrl + , (comma)
   • Mac: ⌘ Command + , (comma)
3. The selected text instantly drops below the baseline.

Press the same shortcut again to remove subscript formatting.

Method 2: Format Menu

1. Open your Google Docs document.
2. Select the text you want to format as subscript.
3. Click Format in the top menu bar.
4. Hover over Text.
5. Click Subscript from the submenu.

The selected text will now appear lowered below the baseline in a smaller font size. Click Subscript again to remove the formatting.

Method 3: Equation Editor (For Chemical and Math Formulas)

If you’re writing equations, formulas, or scientific documents, the Equation Editor provides another way to insert subscript in Google Docs.

1. Click Insert → Equation.
2. Type your base text in the equation box.
3. Press Shift + - (the underscore _ symbol) to enter subscript mode.
4. Type your subscript value.
5. Press Enter or click outside the box when done.

Method 4: Special Characters

1. Click Insert → Special characters.
2. Type subscript in the search box.
3. Click the character you need (₀ ₁ ₂ ₃ … ₉) to insert it directly.

Quick Reference: All Shortcuts at a Glance

How to Add Superscript and Subscript in Google Docs Mobile App

The Google Docs mobile app (Android and iOS) supports subscript and superscript through the formatting toolbar. Keyboard shortcuts are not available on mobile.

Superscript on Mobile

1. Open the Google Docs app and tap the pencil icon to enter Edit mode.
2. Type your text and highlight the portion you want to superscript.
3. Tap the Format button (the A with lines) in the toolbar at the top of the screen.
4. Under the Text tab, tap X² (superscript).
5. The highlighted text is now superscript. Tap X² again to toggle it off.

Subscript on Mobile

1. Open the Google Docs app and tap the pencil icon to enter Edit mode.
2. Highlight the text you want to subscript.
3. Tap the Format button in the top toolbar.
4. Under the Text tab, tap X₂ (subscript).
5. The highlighted text drops below the baseline. Tap X₂ again to remove it.

Note: You cannot insert new equations via the Google Docs mobile app. However, you can tap to edit superscript and subscript values that already exist inside an equation created on desktop.

Subscript and Superscript in Google Slides

The steps for Google Slides subscript are nearly identical to Google Docs:

• Click into a text box and select the text you want to format.
• Use Format → Text → Superscript / Subscript, or the same keyboard shortcuts (Ctrl/⌘ + . for superscript, Ctrl/⌘ + , for subscript).

When to Use Subscript vs. Superscript

Use Superscript For:

• Math exponents: x², y³, 10⁶
• Ordinal numbers: 1ˢᵗ, 2ⁿᵈ, 3ʳᵈ
• Footnote/endnote references: “See the study.¹”
• Trademark and copyright symbols: Brand™, Brand®
• Degrees: 90°, 32°F

Use Subscript For:

• Chemical formulas: H₂O, CO₂, H₂SO₄
• Math indices / sequences: a₁, xₙ, fₖ
• Logarithm bases: log₂, log₁₀
• Physics and engineering notation: v₀ (initial velocity), T₁/₂ (half-life)

Subscript or Superscript Shortcut Not Working? Try These Fixes

If the keyboard shortcuts (Ctrl + . or Ctrl + ,) are not responding in Google Docs, one of these issues is usually the cause:

1. A Browser Extension Is Intercepting the Shortcut

Extensions like Grammarly, password managers, or tab managers sometimes capture keyboard shortcuts before Google Docs can. Try opening your document in a private/incognito window (which disables most extensions) and test the shortcut there. If it works, disable extensions one by one to find the conflict.

2. Your Browser Is Out of Date

Google Docs works best on the latest version of Chrome, Firefox, or Edge. An outdated browser can cause formatting shortcuts to fail. Update your browser and reload the document.

3. The Document Is in Suggesting or Viewing Mode

Formatting shortcuts only work in Editing mode. Check the mode selector in the top-right corner of your document and switch it to Editing if needed.

4. Use the Format Menu as a Fallback

If shortcuts continue to fail, Format → Text → Subscript / Superscript always works regardless of browser or extension conflicts.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How to Type Exponents in Google Docs
• How to Insert Special Characters in Google Docs
• How to Check Word Count in Google Docs
• How to Highlight Text in Google Docs