⁰ Superscript and Subscript Generator
By ToolNimba Editorial Team · Updated 2026-06-19
Characters without a Unicode super/subscript form are left unchanged.
This superscript and subscript generator turns your text into tiny raised or lowered Unicode characters that you can copy and paste anywhere, plain social posts, bios, spreadsheets, chat messages and more. Type once and get both an above-the-line superscript version (like x², the 2nd, or m³) and a below-the-line subscript version (like H₂O or CO₂). Digits and many letters have real Unicode forms, so the result stays as actual text rather than an image or formatting that breaks when pasted.
What is the Superscript and Subscript Generator?
Superscript text sits slightly above the normal line of writing and is usually smaller, used for exponents (x²), ordinal endings (1ˢᵗ), footnote markers and chemical charges. Subscript text sits slightly below the line and is most common in chemistry and maths, such as the 2 in H₂O or the n in aₙ. In a word processor you would create these with a formatting button, but that formatting is lost the moment you paste into a plain-text field like a tweet, a username or a chat box.
This tool sidesteps that problem by using dedicated Unicode characters instead of formatting. Unicode (the standard that defines every character your device can show) includes a set of pre-shrunk super and subscript glyphs: all ten digits, a handful of symbols like + - = ( ), and a range of letters. Because each result is a normal character, it survives copy and paste into almost any app that accepts text, with no rich-text support required.
The catch is coverage. Unicode never defined a complete superscript or subscript alphabet, it grew piecemeal for phonetics, maths and other niches. Every digit works in both styles, but several letters have no subscript form at all (for example b, c, d, f and most capitals), and a few have no superscript form either (q is the main gap). When a character has no matching form, this generator passes it through unchanged so your text stays readable, rather than dropping or guessing at it.
When to use it
- Writing exponents and maths like x², 10⁶ or aₙ in places that do not support real formatting, such as social media, code comments or chat.
- Adding chemical formulas like H₂O, CO₂ or C₆H₁₂O₆ to posts, captions and spreadsheets.
- Styling ordinals (1ˢᵗ, 2ⁿᵈ) and footnote-style markers in a plain-text bio or username.
- Creating eye-catching tiny text for usernames, display names and headers where small raised letters stand out.
How to use the Superscript and Subscript Generator
- Type or paste your text into the input box.
- Read the superscript (raised) version and the subscript (lowered) version, both update as you type.
- Press Copy next to whichever style you want.
- Paste it into your post, bio, message or document, the characters keep their look because they are real Unicode text.
Formula & method
Worked examples
You want to write the equation E = mc2 with a proper exponent for a plain-text post.
- Type E = mc2 into the input.
- The 2 is the only character with a superscript form, so it becomes ².
- E, m and c have no superscript letters used here, so they stay as they are.
- The superscript output reads E = mc² (note: in the full superscript style E, m and c would also convert if you applied it letter by letter).
Result: Superscript output: E = mc²
You need the chemical formula for glucose, C6H12O6, as subscript for a caption.
- Type C6H12O6 into the input.
- The digits 6, 1, 2 and 6 each map to subscript forms: ₆ ₁ ₂ ₆.
- The capital letters C, H and O have no subscript forms, so they pass through unchanged.
- The subscript output joins them back together in order.
Result: Subscript output: C₆H₁₂O₆
Unicode digit forms in normal, superscript and subscript
| Normal | Superscript | Subscript |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | ⁰ | ₀ |
| 1 | ¹ | ₁ |
| 2 | ² | ₂ |
| 3 | ³ | ₃ |
| 4 | ⁴ | ₄ |
| 5 | ⁵ | ₅ |
| 9 | ⁹ | ₉ |
Symbol forms available in both styles
| Symbol | Superscript | Subscript |
|---|---|---|
| plus + | ⁺ | ₊ |
| minus - | ⁻ | ₋ |
| equals = | ⁼ | ₌ |
| open paren ( | ⁽ | ₍ |
| close paren ) | ⁾ | ₎ |
Letters with limited Unicode coverage (common gaps)
| Style | Missing or limited letters |
|---|---|
| Superscript | q has no form, capital letters are partial (no C, F, Q, S, X, Y, Z) |
| Subscript | Most letters are missing, only a e h i j k l m n o p r s t u v x exist |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Expecting every letter to convert. Unicode has no complete super or subscript alphabet. Many letters, especially most subscript consonants and capitals, simply do not exist as characters, so they are left unchanged. This is a limitation of Unicode, not the tool.
- Pasting into an app that strips unusual characters. A few older systems or strict input fields filter out non-standard characters. If your super or subscript text vanishes on paste, the destination is rejecting those code points, try a different field or app.
- Using tiny text where accessibility matters. Screen readers may read superscript and subscript characters oddly or skip them. Avoid them in headings, links and important instructions where clear, standard text serves readers better.
- Confusing this with real exponent formatting. These are styled characters, not mathematical markup. They look like exponents but software will not treat x² as x to the power of 2 in a calculation, use a proper formula or equation editor for maths.
Glossary
- Superscript
- A character set slightly above the normal text line and usually smaller, used for exponents, ordinals and footnote markers.
- Subscript
- A character set slightly below the normal text line, common in chemical formulas and mathematical indices.
- Unicode
- The universal standard that assigns a code point to every character, including the pre-made super and subscript glyphs this tool uses.
- Code point
- The unique number Unicode assigns to a character. A superscript 2 has its own code point separate from a normal 2.
- Glyph
- The visual shape of a character as drawn by a font. Each super or subscript form is a distinct glyph.
Frequently asked questions
How does a superscript generator work?
It replaces each character you type with its dedicated Unicode superscript or subscript version, where one exists. Digits, a few symbols and many letters have these pre-made characters, so the output is real text you can copy and paste, not an image or word-processor formatting.
Why do some letters not convert?
Unicode never defined a full super or subscript alphabet. It added these characters piecemeal for phonetics and maths, so several letters have no form at all (q in superscript, and most consonants and capitals in subscript). The tool leaves any unsupported character unchanged so your text stays readable.
Can I paste the result anywhere?
Almost anywhere that accepts plain text, including social media, usernames, chat apps, spreadsheets and documents, because the output is standard Unicode characters. A small number of strict input fields filter unusual characters, in which case the text may not appear.
Is superscript text the same as a smaller font?
No. These are specific characters that happen to be drawn smaller and raised or lowered, not a font-size change. That is exactly why they survive copy and paste into plain-text fields where font formatting would be lost.
Does this work for chemical formulas like H2O?
Yes. Type H2O and the subscript output gives H₂O, since every digit has a subscript form. The letters H and O have no subscript versions and stay as normal capitals, which is the standard way these formulas are written.
Is my text sent anywhere?
No. The conversion runs entirely in your browser using built-in character maps. Nothing you type is uploaded, stored or sent over the network, so it is safe to use for private notes.