HTML Superscript and Subscript

Superscript

The HTML <sup> tag is used to create superscript text. The text inside the <sup> tag is rendered half a character above the normal line and has a smaller font size. For example,

<p> This is a <sup>Superscript</sup> text.</p>

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HTML Superscript text

Usage of Superscript

Superscript text is generally used for exponents, measurement units, and ordinal numbers. For example,

1. Superscript in exponents

<p> a<sup>2</sup> + b<sup>2</sup> = c<sup>2<sup></p>

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Exponents written in superscript

2. Superscript in measurement units

<p>The area of this park is 200m<sup>2</sup>.</p>

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Units of measurement written in superscript

3. Superscript in ordinal numbers

<p>Ram scored 1<sup>st</sup> position in the 100m race.</p>

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Ordinal position written in superscript

Subscript

The HTML <sub> tag is used to create subscript text. The text inside the <sub> tag is rendered half a character below the normal line and has a smaller font size. For example,

<p> This is a <sub>Subscript</sub> text.</p>

Browser Output

HTML Subscript text

Usage of Subscript

Superscript text is generally used for mathematics and chemical formulas. For example,

1. Usage in Mathematical Formula

<p> <var>x<sub>1</sub></var> … <var>x<sub>n</sub></var></p>

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Mathematic formula written in subscript

2. Usage in Chemical Formula

<p> H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub> is chemical formula for sulphuric acid.</p>

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Chemical formula written in subscript