# Superscript & Subscript Converter Convert text to real Unicode superscript (ˣ²) or subscript (H₂O), or mixed — no HTML tags. Digit coverage is full; letter coverage follows Unicode. > Canonical page: https://elysiatools.com/en/tools/superscript-subscript-converter - **Category:** Text Processing - **Keywords:** superscript, subscript, unicode text, chemistry formula, math notation, footnote ## Overview This tool converts text to \*\*superscript\*\* (ˣ²), \*\*subscript\*\* (H₂O), or a \*\*mixed\*\* form, using real Unicode glyph code points rather than HTML \`\`/\`\` tags — so the result is plain text that works anywhere (chat, social posts, filenames, code comments) without any formatting support. \*\*How it works:\*\* - \*\*Superscript\*\*: each letter/digit/operator is replaced by its superscript glyph (e.g. \`x → ˣ\`, \`2 → ²\`). - \*\*Subscript\*\*: each is replaced by its subscript glyph (e.g. \`2 → ₂\`, \`o → ₒ\`). - \*\*Mixed\*\*: odd-position characters go superscript, even-position go subscript — a demo mode for mixed math/chemistry notation. \*\*Unicode coverage caveat (important):\*\* Unicode does \*\*not\*\* assign a superscript or subscript glyph to every letter. The well-covered sets are: - Superscript: digits 0-9 (full), operators +-=(), and lowercase h/i/j/k/m/n/o/p/r/s/t/u/v/w/x/y/a plus a few others. Many lowercase letters (b,c,d,e,f,g,l,q) and most uppercase have no superscript glyph. - Subscript: digits 0-9 (full), operators, and lowercase a/e/h/i/j/k/l/m/n/o/p/r/s/t/u/v/x. Missing: b,c,d,f,g,q,w,y,z and all uppercase. Characters without a dedicated glyph \*\*fall back to themselves\*\* — so \`H₂O\` works perfectly (H has no subscript glyph, stays as H), but a fully-subscripted sentence will keep its unmapped letters plain. This is a fundamental Unicode limitation, not a bug. \*\*Common uses:\*\* chemistry (H₂SO₄, CO₂), math/physics (x², E=mc²), footnote/reference markers (¹²³), trademark-like styling. ## Inputs - **Text** (textarea): Type or paste text (e.g. H2O, x2+1)... - **Style** (select) ## When to use - When writing chemical formulas like H₂O or H₂SO₄ for platforms that only accept plain text. - When formatting mathematical expressions, exponents, or equations in code comments or plain text files. - When adding footnote markers or reference numbers to social media updates or plain text documents. ## How it works - Enter or paste your text into the input text area. - Select your desired formatting style: Superscript, Subscript, or Mixed. - The tool maps each compatible character to its corresponding Unicode superscript or subscript code point. - Copy the converted plain text output directly to your clipboard for use in any application. ## Use cases - Formatting chemical formulas for online databases or chat messages. - Writing mathematical exponents and algebraic equations in plain text files. - Creating clean footnote citations and trademark symbols in social media copy. ## Frequently asked questions ### Why do some letters not convert to superscript or subscript? Unicode does not define superscript or subscript glyphs for all letters. Unsupported characters fall back to their standard form. ### Can I use this output in social media posts? Yes, the output is plain Unicode text and works on platforms like X (Twitter), LinkedIn, and Facebook. ### Does this tool use HTML tags like or ? No, it uses native Unicode code points, meaning the formatting persists without HTML support. ### Are all numbers supported? Yes, all digits from 0 to 9 have full Unicode superscript and subscript representations. ### What does the 'Mixed' style option do? 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