Documentation/Mathematical Typesetting/How to Add Subscripts and Superscripts in LaTeX
Mathematical Typesetting

How to Add Subscripts and Superscripts in LaTeX

Subscripts and superscripts are fundamental to mathematical and scientific notation. LaTeX makes them simple.

Basic Subscript

Use underscore _ for subscripts:

$x_1$
$a_i$
$H_2O$

Basic Superscript

Use caret ^ for superscripts:

$x^2$
$e^x$
$a^{n+1}$

Multiple Characters

Use braces for more than one character:

$x_{12}$      % subscript 12
$x^{2n}$      % superscript 2n
$a_{i,j}$     % subscript i,j

Both Together

Combine subscripts and superscripts:

$x_1^2$           % x₁²
$\sum_{i=1}^{n}$  % summation
$\int_0^\infty$  % integral

Nested Scripts

Scripts can be nested:

$e^{x^2}$         % e to the (x squared)
$a_{b_c}$         % a subscript (b subscript c)

💡 Tips

  • •Always use {} for multi-character subscripts/superscripts
  • •For text in subscripts, use $x_{\text{max}}$ (needs amsmath)
  • •In text mode, use \textsubscript{} and \textsuperscript{}

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