SuperSub Gen

How to Do Superscript and Subscript in Google Docs

Google Docs makes it straightforward to format superscript and subscript text for equations, citations, and chemical symbols. This guide shows how to superscript in Google Docs, how to do subscript in Google Docs, and the fastest shortcuts on both Windows and Mac.

We focus on the core workflows—keyboard shortcuts, the Format menu, and special characters—so you can format superscript in Google Docs or subscript on Google Docs without digging through menus.

Quick Reference: Google Docs Superscript & Subscript Shortcuts

Memorize these shortcuts to answer “how to add superscript in Google Docs” or “how to do a subscript in Google Docs” instantly.

Superscript

  • Ctrl + . — Windows / ChromeOS
  • Cmd + . — Mac
  • Format → Text → Superscript
  • Insert → Special characters → search “superscript”

Subscript

  • Ctrl + , — Windows / ChromeOS
  • Cmd + , — Mac
  • Format → Text → Subscript
  • Insert → Special characters → search “subscript”

Method 1: Use the Format Menu

The Format menu works the same on Windows, Mac, and ChromeOS. Use it when you prefer a mouse-driven workflow or when you need to confirm the setting visually.

Superscript in Google Docs

  1. Select the character or place your cursor where the superscript should appear.
  2. Open Format in the top menu and hover over Text.
  3. Choose Superscript to toggle the formatting on or off.

Subscript in Google Docs

  1. Highlight the text you want to lower or position your cursor inside an equation.
  2. Go to Format → Text.
  3. Select Subscript to apply or remove the formatting.

Method 2: Keyboard Shortcuts

Shortcuts are the fastest way to answer “how to type superscript in Google Docs” or “how to do subscript in Google Docs.” They toggle formatting on the selected text or at the cursor.

Superscript Shortcut

Press Ctrl + . on Windows or Cmd + . on Mac to toggle superscript. The command works on highlighted text and as you type, so you can add exponents or footnotes without pausing.

Subscript Shortcut

Press Ctrl + , on Windows or Cmd + , on Mac to format subscripts. Use it for chemical formulas, mathematical indices, and other subscript notation.

Shortcut Tips

  • Shortcuts act as toggles—press them again to return to normal text.
  • If a shortcut stops working, check for browser extensions that reuse the same keys or open the keyboard shortcut help with Ctrl + / (Cmd + / on Mac) to review defaults.

Method 3: Insert Ready-Made Superscripts and Subscripts

When you only need a single symbol—such as ™ or ²—use the special characters library instead of toggling formats.

  1. Place the cursor where the symbol should appear.
  2. Select Insert → Special characters.
  3. Type “superscript” or “subscript” in the search box, then click the symbol you need.

This is ideal for copyright symbols, trademark marks, fractions, and math operators when you do not need to edit the text afterward.

Method 4: Google Docs Mobile App

The Google Docs mobile app also supports superscript and subscript formatting. Use it when you need to update a document on Android or iOS.

  1. Open the document and tap the pencil icon to enter edit mode.
  2. Select the text, then tap the Format button (the “A” icon).
  3. Scroll the toolbar and tap the superscript or subscript icons to toggle the style.

Practical Examples: Superscripts and Subscripts in Google Docs

These quick examples show how superscript Google Docs formatting and subscript Google Docs formatting appear side by side.

Equations & Footnotes

x squaredx²
10 cubed10³
Footnote markerText¹

Science & Data Labels

Water moleculeH₂O
Carbon dioxideCO₂
Sulfuric acidH₂SO₄

Quick Practice: Clear Formatting

  1. Highlight a superscripted number.
  2. Press Ctrl + \ or Cmd + \ to clear formatting.
  3. Reapply superscript if needed using the shortcut or menu.

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Troubleshooting

Shortcut Not Working

  • Disable browser extensions that use the same keys—for example, ad blockers often map Ctrl/Cmd + ..
  • Open Chrome’s chrome://extensions/shortcuts page to clear conflicting shortcuts.
  • Update Chrome or switch browsers if a recent update breaks the shortcut temporarily.

Formatting Won’t Stick

  • Check that you’re in the web editor—some mobile or offline modes handle shortcuts differently.
  • Use Format → Text → Superscript/Subscript to reapply formatting after pasting content from another app.
  • Clear formatting with Ctrl/Cmd + \ before applying superscript or subscript again.

Summary

You now know how to make a superscript in Google Docs, how to add a subscript in Google Docs, and how to troubleshoot the shortcuts that power both. Combine keyboard toggles, the Format menu, and special characters to keep every equation and citation clear.

Need characters for other platforms? Our superscript generator and subscript generator are ready whenever you need them.