How to Use Superscripts and Subscripts in LaTeX

Subscripts and superscripts are essential for mathematical notation, chemical formulas, and academic writing. This guide covers all the methods for creating sub and superscripts in LaTeX, both in math mode and text mode.

Quick answer

In math mode, use ^ for a superscript and _ for a subscript: $x^2$ and $x_i$ . Group more than one character with braces: $x_{i+1}^{n-1}$ .

Basic Math Mode Usage

In math mode, use _ for subscripts and ^ for superscripts:

For expressions with multiple characters, use curly braces to group them: x_{i+1}

Common Applications

Mathematical sequences:
Chemical formulas:
Powers and exponents:

Text Mode Options

For subscripts and superscripts in regular text, use the \textsuperscript and \textsubscript commands.

\textsubscript{} has been part of the standard LaTeX kernel since 2015, so current TeX installations do not need a subscript package. Only very old installations require a compatibility package.

Common superscript and subscript errors

Missing $ inserted: ^ and _ are math syntax. Put the expression inside $...$ , $...$, or a display-math environment.
Double superscript: write x^{2^n}, not x^2^n. Braces tell LaTeX which exponent belongs inside the other.
Only one character is raised or lowered: write x_{total} rather than x_total.
For chemical formulas in running text, consider the mhchem package instead of manually switching in and out of math mode.

Command Reference

Command	Use Case	Mode
`_`	Subscripts	Math mode
`^`	Superscripts	Math mode
`\textsuperscript`	Superscripts	Text mode
`\textsubscript`	Subscripts	Text mode

Advanced Techniques

Multiple levels of subscripts and superscripts:

Side-by-side sub/superscripts:

Best Practices

Always use curly braces for multi-character sub/superscripts
Use math mode for mathematical expressions, even within text
Consider readability when nesting multiple levels
Use \textsubscript and \textsuperscript for non-mathematical content
Be consistent with spacing around operators and relations

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How to Use Superscripts and Subscripts in LaTeX

Quick answer

In math mode, use ^ for a superscript and _ for a subscript: $x^2$ and $x_i$ . Group more than one character with braces: $x_{i+1}^{n-1}$ .

Basic Math Mode Usage

In math mode, use _ for subscripts and ^ for superscripts:

For expressions with multiple characters, use curly braces to group them: x_{i+1}

Common Applications

Mathematical sequences:
Chemical formulas:
Powers and exponents:

Text Mode Options

For subscripts and superscripts in regular text, use the \textsuperscript and \textsubscript commands.

\textsubscript{} has been part of the standard LaTeX kernel since 2015, so current TeX installations do not need a subscript package. Only very old installations require a compatibility package.

Common superscript and subscript errors

Missing $ inserted: ^ and _ are math syntax. Put the expression inside $...$ , $...$, or a display-math environment.
Double superscript: write x^{2^n}, not x^2^n. Braces tell LaTeX which exponent belongs inside the other.
Only one character is raised or lowered: write x_{total} rather than x_total.
For chemical formulas in running text, consider the mhchem package instead of manually switching in and out of math mode.

Command Reference

Command	Use Case	Mode
`_`	Subscripts	Math mode
`^`	Superscripts	Math mode
`\textsuperscript`	Superscripts	Text mode
`\textsubscript`	Subscripts	Text mode

Advanced Techniques

Multiple levels of subscripts and superscripts:

Side-by-side sub/superscripts:

Best Practices

Always use curly braces for multi-character sub/superscripts
Use math mode for mathematical expressions, even within text
Consider readability when nesting multiple levels
Use \textsubscript and \textsuperscript for non-mathematical content
Be consistent with spacing around operators and relations

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Skip the syntax — let AI write it.

Snap a photo of an equation, a table, or full handwritten notes and Underleaf turns it into clean, compilable LaTeX in seconds. 10 free credits every month, no credit card required.

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$Handwritten notes converted into a typeset LaTeX document$

How to Use Superscripts and Subscripts in LaTeX

Basic Math Mode Usage

Common Applications

Text Mode Options

Common superscript and subscript errors

Command Reference

Advanced Techniques

Best Practices

Skip the syntax — let AI write it.

How to Use Superscripts and Subscripts in LaTeX

Basic Math Mode Usage

Common Applications

Text Mode Options

Common superscript and subscript errors

Command Reference

Advanced Techniques

Best Practices

Skip the syntax — let AI write it.

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