To add subscript in Google Docs on a computer, select the characters you want to lower, then press Ctrl + , on Windows or ChromeOS, or ⌘ + , on Mac. You can also search the menus for Subscript and select it. For H2O, select only the 2 before applying subscript. Use the same shortcut again to remove the formatting.
The short version
- Menu search: Select your characters, click Search in the toolbar or choose Help > Search the menus, then pick Subscript.
- Keyboard shortcut: Press Ctrl + , on Windows or ChromeOS, or ⌘ + , on Mac.
- Phone or tablet: Use a connected keyboard for native subscript formatting, or paste a Unicode character such as ₂.
- Return to normal: Toggle subscript off before continuing to type normal text.
| Method | Where it works | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Keyboard shortcut | Computer or mobile app with a keyboard | Uses Ctrl + , or ⌘ + , |
| Search the menus | Computer | Finds the Subscript option |
| Enable before typing | Computer | Switch subscript off before continuing normal text |
| Paste Unicode characters | Computer or mobile app | Limited to available subscript characters |
| Special characters picker | Computer | Inserts a Unicode character |
| Paste formatted text | Computer | Formatting retention depends on the clipboard source |
| Find and replace | Computer | Replaces ordinary text with Unicode characters |
| Toggle subscript off | Computer or mobile app with a keyboard | Removes native subscript formatting |
| Clear text formatting | Computer | Removes other text formatting too |
Select the right characters
Open your document for editing and select the characters that should sit below the normal text line. Leave surrounding characters unselected when they should stay at their normal position.
For example, type H2O and select only the 2, then apply Subscript. If several characters belong in the subscript, select the entire group before applying it. Native subscript formatting works with any selected text, so you are not limited to numbers.
Use the keyboard shortcut or menu search
With your characters selected, press Ctrl + , on Windows or ChromeOS. On a Mac, press ⌘ + ,. The punctuation key is a comma.
Google cautions that shortcuts can vary with your keyboard and language. If the shortcut does not apply subscript, search the menus for Subscript instead, as described below. Google Docs uses the comma shortcut; Microsoft Word lists Ctrl + Shift + - for subscript on Windows.
You can also select your text and click Search in the toolbar, or choose Help > Search the menus. Type “subscript,” then activate Subscript. To open that search from the keyboard, press Alt + / on Windows or ChromeOS, or Option + / on Mac.
Turn on subscript before you type
Place your cursor where the subscript should begin without selecting existing text. Enable Subscript through the menu or your computer's shortcut, then type the characters you need. Toggle it off before typing the next normal character.
To build H₂O this way, type H, turn subscript on, and type 2. Turn subscript off, then type O. If the O also appears lowered, select it and toggle subscript off for that character.
Add subscript on a phone or tablet
In the Android Google Docs app, open your document for editing and select the characters you want to format. Press Ctrl + , on a connected keyboard. Keyboard layout restrictions can affect the shortcut.
On an iPhone or iPad, open the document for editing in the Google Docs app and select your characters. Press ⌘ + , on a connected keyboard. These shortcuts apply native formatting to the selected text.
Without a connected keyboard, you can paste a Unicode subscript character such as ₂. On Android, copy the character, tap Edit in your document, touch and hold the insertion location, then tap Paste. On iPhone or iPad, copy the character, tap Edit, tap the insertion location, then tap Paste.
Insert a subscript character instead of formatting text
For a digit you need occasionally, you can copy from this set: ₀₁₂₃₄₅₆₇₈₉. Place your cursor in the document and paste the character using Ctrl + V on Windows or ChromeOS, or ⌘ + V on Mac. These are separate Unicode characters that keep their subscript shape even as plain text.
You can also insert them through the desktop character picker. Choose Insert > Symbols > Special characters, then locate the character using categories, its Unicode value, or the drawing box. Click the character to insert it; the Unicode value for ₂ is U+2082.
Unicode has a limited selection of subscript characters, while native formatting can lower any selected text. Use the regular Subscript option when you need characters that the picker does not offer. If you copy an existing passage with native subscript formatting, use ordinary paste to retain its formatting, although the result depends on the clipboard source.
Replace repeated text with Unicode subscripts
When the same formula occurs repeatedly, you can replace its ordinary digits with Unicode subscripts. On a computer, choose Edit > Find and replace. Enter H2O in Find and H₂O in Replace with, then click Replace for one occurrence or Replace all for every occurrence.
This changes the characters themselves rather than applying native subscript formatting. Use it when the required Unicode characters are available and you want that exact text replacement. For letters or other characters without a Unicode subscript equivalent, select and format the text with Subscript instead.
Fix text that stays in subscript
Select text with native subscript formatting and press Ctrl + , again on Windows or ChromeOS, or ⌘ + , on Mac. You can also search the menus for Subscript and select it again. When you are still typing, toggle subscript off at the cursor before continuing.
To clear other text formatting at the same time, select the affected text and press Ctrl + \ on Windows or ChromeOS, or ⌘ + \ on Mac. Use the subscript toggle when you want to remove only subscript.
Clearing formatting does not turn a Unicode ₂ into an ordinary 2, so replace that character manually. Once your formulas are ready, you can save and download your Google document if you need a separate copy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you copy subscript formatting to several places?
You can select text already formatted as subscript, click Paint format in the toolbar, then select the destination text. Double-click Paint format to apply it in multiple locations. This copies other formatting attributes too.
Can Google Docs repeat the last subscript action?
After applying subscript to one selection, select the next characters and immediately press Ctrl + Y on Windows or ⌘ + Y on Mac. This repeats the formatting only while subscript remains the last repeatable action.
Can you apply subscript with your voice?
You can use voice formatting in desktop Google Docs with the latest Chrome, Edge, or Safari, unless your organization has disabled voice typing. Set both your Google Account language and document language to English, enable microphone access, then choose Tools > Voice typing and click the microphone. Select the target text manually or say Select [word or phrase], then say Subscript. Say Stop listening when finished.
Do you need an add-on to add subscript?
No, you can use the browser editor's native subscript formatting without installing an additional editor.