How to Subscript in Google Docs
Learn how to add subscript text in Google Docs for chemical formulas (H₂O), mathematical expressions, and other specialized formatting using keyboard shortcuts or menus.
Quick Answer
Select your text and press Ctrl + , (comma) on Windows/Chromebook or Command + , on Mac. Alternatively, go to Format → Text → Subscript.
Method 1: Keyboard Shortcut (Fastest)
Select Your Text
Highlight the text you want to make subscript. For example, if typing H2O, select just the "2".
Press the Keyboard Shortcut
Use the following shortcut to apply subscript:
Ctrl + ,
Command + ,
Text is Now Subscript
Your selected text will now appear below the baseline. H2O becomes H₂O.
Pro Tip: Press the shortcut again on subscript text to return it to normal formatting.
How to Subscript on Mobile (iOS/Android)
Select Your Text
Tap and hold on the text, then drag the selection handles to highlight the characters you want to subscript.
Tap the Format Button
Tap the Format button (the "A" with horizontal lines) in the toolbar at the top of the screen.
Select Subscript
In the formatting panel, tap the subscript icon (X₂) under the text formatting options. Your text will be converted to subscript.
On mobile, you may need to scroll down in the formatting panel to find subscript and superscript options.
Common Subscript Examples
Here are common uses for subscript in documents:
Chemical Formulas
H₂O (water)
CO₂ (carbon dioxide)
C₆H₁₂O₆ (glucose)
NaCl (sodium chloride)
Mathematical Notation
x₁, x₂, x₃ (indexed variables)
a₀ + a₁ + a₂ (sequences)
log₁₀ (logarithm base 10)
Σᵢ₌₁ (summation)
Scientific Notation
Vₘₐₓ (maximum velocity)
Kₘ (Michaelis constant)
T₀ (initial temperature)
ΔG₀ (standard Gibbs energy)
Linguistic Notation
Phonetic transcription
Linguistic glosses
Interlinear annotations
How to Remove Subscript
To remove subscript formatting and return text to normal:
Option 1: Keyboard Shortcut
Select the subscript text and press Ctrl+, (Windows) or Command+, (Mac) again to toggle it off.
Option 2: Format Menu
Select the text, go to Format → Text → Subscript. The checkmark will be removed and text returns to normal.
Option 3: Clear Formatting
Select the text and press Ctrl+\ (Windows) or Command+\ (Mac) to clear all formatting, including subscript.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the keyboard shortcut for subscript in Google Docs?
Press Ctrl+, (comma) on Windows/Chromebook or Command+, (comma) on Mac to toggle subscript in Google Docs.
How do I type chemical formulas like H2O in Google Docs?
Type the full formula (H2O), then select just the number (2), and press Ctrl+, or go to Format → Text → Subscript to make it subscript.
Can I use subscript on mobile Google Docs?
Yes, select your text, tap the Format button (A with lines), then tap the subscript icon (X₂) under Text formatting options.
What's the difference between subscript and superscript?
Subscript places text below the baseline (like H₂O), while superscript places text above (like x²). Subscript uses Ctrl+, and superscript uses Ctrl+.
Why isn't my subscript shortcut working?
Make sure you're pressing Ctrl (or Command) with the comma key, not the period. Also ensure text is selected before applying the shortcut. Some browser extensions may interfere with keyboard shortcuts.
Can I use subscript and superscript together?
Not on the same character, but you can have subscript and superscript on adjacent characters. For complex notations, consider using Google Docs' equation editor (Insert → Equation).