How to Write Subscript & Superscript in Notion

Follow this guide on how to use subscript and superscript quickly with simple Notion shortcuts.

Oct 8, 2025
How to Write Subscript & Superscript in Notion
Writing notes in Notion is simple, but adding small details like subscript and superscript can be tricky. These tiny text styles make your formulas, footnotes, and chemical symbols look correct. Knowing how to do them saves time and keeps your pages neat.
You don’t need extra apps or complicated tools. Notion lets you add subscript and superscript with just a few clicks or keyboard shortcuts. Once you learn them, your workflow becomes faster and smoother.
This guide shows exactly how to type subscript and superscript in Notion. You’ll get practical steps, shortcuts, and tips to use them everywhere in your pages. By the end, your text will look professional, clear, and easy to read.

How to Add a Subscript in Notion

Notion lets you use subscripts through its inline equation feature.
Here’s how:
  1. Type /math and choose Inline Equation or Block Equation..
  1. In the equation box, type your formula using an underscore ( _ ) before the character you want as subscript.
      • Example: H_20→ displays as H₂O
  1. If you need more than one character in subscript, wrap them in curly braces {}.
      • Example: C_{12}H_{22}0_{11}C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁
  1. Click Done or press Enter to save it.
Now your text stays neatly formatted on any Notion page.
Example to write subscript in notion

How to Add Superscript in Notion

Superscripts work almost the same way — except you’ll use a caret symbol ( ^ ) instead.
Here’s how:
  1. Type /math → select Inline Equation.
  1. Use ^ before your superscript character.
      • Example: x^2→ shows
  1. For multiple superscript characters, use { } brackets.
      • Example: x^{10}x¹⁰
  1. Press Enter or click Done to confirm.
You can use this method for powers, references, or even chemical ions like Na⁺ or SO₄²⁻.
Example to write superscript in notion

Keyboard Shortcuts for Subscript and Superscript in Notion

Notion lets you type subscript and superscript quickly using a simple keyboard shortcut.
  • On a Mac, press CMD + Shift + E.
  • On Windows, press CTRL + Shift + E.
This opens an inline math equation right inside your page.
Once the equation box appears, you can type (_) to make subscript and (^) to make superscript.
When your formula is complete, press Enter or click Done. Notion will format your text automatically. This method is fast, keeps your page clean, and works anywhere you need precise scientific, mathematical, or footnote formatting.

Use Cases and Practical Examples

Here’s where subscript and superscript really shine in Notion:
Use Case
Example
Description
Chemistry Notes
H₂O, CO₂, Na⁺
Display molecular formulas and ions clearly
Math Formulas
x², aₙ, x^{10}
Represent powers and indexed terms
Footnotes
¹, ²
Add references in academic notes
Measurements
m², cm³
Show units with proper formatting
Scientific Notation
6.02 × 10²³
Represent large or small numbers accurately
These formatting styles make your Notion workspace look structured and professional — especially if you use it for study, research, or technical documentation.

Final Thoughts

Adding subscript and superscript in Notion keeps your notes precise and professional. Using the equation blocks or keyboard shortcuts, you can format numbers, formulas, footnotes, and scientific notations quickly.
Subscripts are ideal for indices, chemical formulas, and units, while superscripts work for powers, scientific notation, and references. Both make your text easier to read and understand.
With these tips, you can type subscript and superscript anywhere in Notion, whether for personal notes, schoolwork, or professional projects. Clear content meets clean design, and you have full control.
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Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Can I use subscript or superscript without using equation blocks in Notion?
Notion doesn’t support direct subscript or superscript formatting in regular text. However, you can copy formatted characters (like ², ₃, etc.) from character maps or websites and paste them into your Notion text.
  1. Does Notion support Markdown for subscript and superscript?
No, Notion doesn’t support Markdown syntax for subscript or superscript directly. You’ll need to use the equation block or paste formatted Unicode characters instead.
  1. How can I add subscript or superscript on Notion mobile app?
You can use the same equation block method. Type /equation in the mobile app, then add _{} or ^{} syntax. You can also copy-paste subscript or superscript characters from your phone’s symbol keyboard.
  1. Can I display multiple subscripts or superscripts in one line?
Yes. You can combine them using the same syntax inside the equation block. For example, E=mc^{2}_{x} will show both a superscript and subscript together.