Superscripts and Subscripts in LaTeX

Use braces, nested scripts, text labels, and limits without ambiguous formatting. This guide focuses on reliable methods that preserve the intended character or mathematical structure when the text is copied, published, or shared.

Quick answer

The fastest option is to copy this character: ². For a real mathematical equation, use the LaTeX form ^2 when your editor supports math rendering. Plain Unicode is ideal for short text, while LaTeX or an equation editor is better for structured notation.

Choose the right format

Use Unicode when the symbol must remain a normal text character in an email, title, spreadsheet, or social post. Use LaTeX when the expression contains fractions, roots, limits, stacked scripts, or other two-dimensional notation. Use HTML entities or numeric references when the symbol is part of a web page and escaping or source-code clarity matters. Use MathML when semantic browser-accessible mathematics is required.

Windows

Open Character Map, search for the symbol name, select the character, and copy it. In Microsoft Word and some Office applications, you can also type the hexadecimal Unicode value and press Alt+X. Application support varies, so verify the result before relying on a shortcut in a different editor.

Mac

Press Control–Command–Space to open Character Viewer. Search for the English symbol name, then double-click the result. Frequently used characters can be added to Favorites. In equation-capable applications, prefer the app’s math editor when the character is part of a larger formula.

Microsoft Word

Press Alt+= to open an equation, type ^2, and press Space when Word recognizes the command. For plain text, use Insert → Symbol → More Symbols, or paste the Unicode character. The equation route is preferable when scripts, fractions, limits, or alignment are involved.

Google Docs

Choose Insert → Special characters, search by name, or draw an approximate shape. For equations, choose Insert → Equation and use the available notation controls. Google Docs supports a useful subset of equation shortcuts, but it does not behave exactly like a full LaTeX system.

HTML and web pages

A literal UTF-8 character is usually the clearest choice when the document declares UTF-8. Named entities can improve readability for common characters, while numeric references are a dependable fallback. Keep the symbol in meaningful text rather than using a background image, because text is selectable, searchable, and more accessible.

<span aria-label="Superscript Two">²</span>
<span>&sup2;</span>

LaTeX example

^2

When the symbol is an operator or relation, place it in math mode and allow LaTeX to apply the correct spacing. Avoid forcing a mathematical expression into a sequence of unrelated Unicode characters when semantic structure matters.

Common mistakes

Do not substitute a visually similar letter, punctuation mark, or image. Similar-looking characters may have different Unicode values and meanings. Also avoid copying from a decorative font that changes the glyph without changing the underlying character. Finally, check whether the surrounding context requires a specific convention; several mathematical symbols have meanings that vary by field or textbook.

Related resources

Use the symbol page for definitions, examples, copy controls, and platform-specific input methods. Browse the relevant category for nearby notation, or open the LaTeX editor to test a complete formula before publishing it.