What is the difference between subscript and superscript?
Subscript is below the line (H₂O). Superscript is above (x²). Pick the mode on our generator before you copy.
Mixing them up in a lab report is a common mistake, chemistry uses subscript counts; exponents and footnotes use superscript.
What Is a Subscript?
A subscript shows something attached to the bottom of a symbol. Examples:
- Chemistry: H₂O (the 2 is subscript)
- Math: x₁, x₂ (indices)
People often ask what is a subscript when writing lab reports or homework. Unicode subscript lets you copy and paste these symbols without special software.
What Is Superscript?
Superscript raises text above the line. Examples:
- Exponents: x², 10³
- Footnote markers: word¹
Read our dedicated guide: what is superscript, or superscript generator copy paste.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Subscript | Superscript | |
|---|---|---|
| Position | Below the line | Above the line |
| Common use | Chemistry, indices | Powers, footnotes |
| Examples | CO₂, H₂O, x₁ | x², E=mc², ¹ |
One Tool for Both
Our free subscript and superscript generator lets you switch between Subscript and Superscript on the same page. It uses standard Unicode ranges (for example U+2080 to U+2099 for many subscript numbers and letters). That is reliable for school and office work; for professional publishing, follow your style guide.
Experience (EEAT): Subscripttext.com focuses on clear, practical Unicode formatting. We explain limits (for example, not every letter has a Unicode subscript). Read About Us for more on the site.