# Subscript Generator > Turn numbers and letters into small lowered characters for chemical formulas like H₂O and CO₂ or math like x₁, ready to copy and paste. - Page: https://linguaholic.com/tools/subscript-generator/ - Type: free online tool (Fancy text generators), no sign-up, runs in the browser - Publisher: Linguaholic (https://linguaholic.com/), made by Marcel Iseli - Last updated: October 2, 2026 - Open it pre-filled: https://linguaholic.com/tools/subscript-generator/?text=H2O - `text`: text to convert; type a formula the normal way (H2O, CO2) and the first row lowers only the digits (H₂O, CO₂) (for example `H2O`) ## What is a subscript generator? A **subscript generator** turns the characters you type into small ones that sit below the line, like the ₂ in H₂O or the ₁ in x₁. The result is subscript text made of real Unicode characters, not formatting. You can copy and paste it into places with no subscript button, such as a social media caption, a chat message or a form field. ## How to use it 1. Type your text the normal way, for example H2O or CO2. 2. For a formula, use the first row, **Numbers only (formulas)**. It lowers the digits and leaves the letters alone, so H2O becomes H₂O and CO2 becomes CO₂. 3. Tap the row, or its **Copy** button, and paste the result where you need it. The second row, **Subscript**, lowers every character that has a subscript form, letters included. The sample `H2O and CO2` comes out as ₕ₂ₒ ₐₙd Cₒ₂ there: the h, o, a and n drop down, while C and d, which have no subscript form, stay full size. That row is for tiny lowered text, not for formulas. The third row, **Tiny (Superscript)**, gives the raised version of the same text. You need it for ion charges such as Ca²⁺, where the charge goes above the line. ## Frequently asked questions **Why does my whole formula turn small when I type H2O?** The tool lowers every character that has a subscript form, and that includes the letters h and o. For a chemical formula, type only the number, copy the subscript digit and paste it after the element symbol, or copy a finished formula such as H₂O from the table on this page. **How do I type a subscript 2 on a phone?** Copy ₂ from this page and paste it where you need it. If you write formulas often, save it as a text shortcut in your phone's keyboard settings so that a short code inserts it. **Can I write whole words in subscript?** Only if every letter is one of the 17 that exist in subscript: a, e, h, i, j, k, l, m, n, o, p, r, s, t, u, v and x. Other letters stay normal size, so most words come out uneven. For full words, use the subscript formatting in Word or Google Docs. **How do I write an ion charge like Ca2+?** Charges are superscripts, not subscripts: Ca²⁺. Use the superscript row of the tool for the charge and the subscript row for atom counts. The sulfate ion needs both: SO₄²⁻. **What is the difference between subscript and superscript?** Subscript sits below the line, as in H₂O or x₁, and is used for atom counts, numbered variables and number bases. Superscript sits above the line, as in x², and is used for exponents, footnotes and ordinals. **Can I use subscript in an Instagram bio, a Discord message or WhatsApp?** Yes. Those apps have no subscript button, but the characters from this tool are plain Unicode text and can be pasted into bios, captions and messages. They do not work in @usernames, which only accept plain letters, numbers, underscores and periods. **Is it wrong to write H2O without a subscript?** Everyone understands H2O, and it is common where subscripts are hard to type. The correct notation is H₂O, with the 2 lowered, and school work and scientific writing are expected to use it. **Will a spreadsheet calculate with subscript numbers?** No. Subscript digits are text characters, not numbers, so a cell containing them is treated as text. 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