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There are three different ways to type a number “to the power of,” and they are not interchangeable:
- Formatted superscript: raises ordinary text visually, as in 102.
- Unicode superscript: inserts a character such as ² or ³. It works in plain text, but only a limited set of superscript characters exists.
- Caret notation: uses
^, as in10^2. This is the practical form for formulas, code, spreadsheets, and plain-text messages.
Use the method that matches the destination. Formatting is best for documents, caret notation is best for calculations, and Unicode is convenient when you need to paste a standalone symbol.
Quick reference
| Where you are typing | Best method | Shortcut or syntax |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Word for Windows | Superscript formatting | Ctrl + Shift + + |
| Microsoft Word for Mac | Superscript formatting | Command + Shift + + |
| Google Docs on Windows or ChromeOS | Superscript formatting | Ctrl + . |
| Google Docs on Mac | Superscript formatting | ⌘ + . |
| Excel or Google Sheets | Formula | =A1^2 or =10^3 |
| Plain text, email, chat, or code | Caret notation | 2^5 |
How to type powers in Microsoft Word
Method 1: Use the Superscript button
- Type the complete expression, such as
102. - Select the exponent—in this example, select only the final
2. - Open the Home tab.
- In the Font group, select Superscript. The selected character moves upward and becomes smaller: 102.
This method is available in Word for Microsoft 365, Word 2024, Word 2021, Word 2019, and Word 2016, including the listed Mac editions.
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- Type the base number and exponent.
- Select the exponent.
- On Windows, press Ctrl + Shift + +. On a US keyboard, the plus sign is normally entered with Shift + =, so the physical key combination is often described as Ctrl + Shift + =.
- On a Mac, press Command + Shift + +.
You can also enable superscript before typing the exponent, type it, then press the same shortcut again to return to normal text. Selecting the exponent first is safer because it avoids accidentally formatting the rest of the sentence.
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Method 3: Use the Font dialog
- Select the number or text to raise.
- Go to Home.
- In the Font group, select the Font Dialog Box Launcher—the small arrow in the group’s corner.
- In the Effects section, select Superscript.
- Select OK, if Word displays the button.
The dialog is useful when you need to inspect or change several font effects at once.
How to stop superscript in Word
If new text keeps appearing above the line, press the superscript shortcut again, or select the affected text and choose Home > Superscript to turn the effect off. To remove direct formatting from selected text, press Ctrl + Spacebar.
How to type powers in Google Docs
Keyboard shortcuts
- Type the expression, for example
25. - Select the exponent.
- On Windows or ChromeOS, press Ctrl + . (Control plus period).
- On Mac, press ⌘ + ..
The result is 25. These are Google’s current superscript shortcuts. Ctrl + Shift + = is associated with Word and should not be treated as a universal Google Docs shortcut.
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Use the Google Docs menus
- Select the exponent.
- Choose Format > Text > Superscript.
This is the best fallback when a browser extension or keyboard layout prevents the shortcut from reaching Docs. You can also use the Tool finder with Alt + / on Windows or Option + / on Mac, then search for “superscript.”
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To view Google Docs’ shortcut list, press Ctrl + / on Windows or ChromeOS, or ⌘ + / on Mac. Google notes that some shortcuts vary by language and keyboard layout.
How to type a power using Unicode superscript characters
Unicode superscripts are individual characters, not formatting applied to another character. You can copy and paste the common digits here:
⁰ ¹ ² ³ ⁴ ⁵ ⁶ ⁷ ⁸ ⁹
For example, x² contains an ordinary x followed by the Unicode character ². It remains available when pasted into many plain-text fields, where formatted superscript would be lost.
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| Character | Unicode code point |
|---|---|
| ² | U+00B2 |
| ³ | U+00B3 |
| ⁴ | U+2074 |
| ⁵ | U+2075 |
| ⁶ | U+2076 |
| ⁷ | U+2077 |
| ⁸ | U+2078 |
| ⁹ | U+2079 |
Unicode does not provide a convenient matching superscript glyph for every mathematical character. For an arbitrary exponent such as 27, formatted superscript or caret notation is usually more reliable than trying to construct a Unicode version.
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Insert a superscript symbol in Word
- Place the cursor where the character should appear.
- Go to Insert > Symbol > More Symbols.
- Set Font to (normal text).
- Set Subset to Superscripts and Subscripts.
- Select the character, choose Insert, and then select Close.
Enter a Unicode code in Word
In Word, open Insert > Symbol > More Symbols to find a character and check its Character code and from: fields. If the field says Unicode (hex), type the hexadecimal code in the document and press Alt + X. For example, type 00B2, then press Alt + X to convert it to ².
If the code is immediately after another character, select only the code before pressing Alt + X. Otherwise, Word may interpret a longer sequence and convert the wrong characters. The selected font must also contain the requested symbol.
How to type the caret symbol for powers
For plain text, type a caret between the base and exponent:
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2^5
10^3
x^27On many US keyboard layouts, ^ is typed with Shift + 6. The key combination can differ on other layouts.
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Caret notation is not visual superscript. It is a convention that software may interpret as exponentiation. In a message, 2^5 communicates the intended calculation clearly; in a formatted document, use actual superscript if appearance matters.
Calculate powers in Excel and Google Sheets
Use the caret operator in a spreadsheet formula:
=10^3
=A1^2
=B2^C2These formulas calculate results—1000, the square of the value in A1, and the value in B2 raised to the value in C2. They do not make the exponent appear visually above the line.
You can also use the POWER function:
=POWER(A1,2)
=POWER(10,3)Use ^ for short, readable formulas and POWER when the function name makes a longer formula easier to understand.
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Use HTML for superscript on a website
HTML uses the <sup> element:
<p>The area is x<sup>2</sup>.</p>A browser renders this as x2. Typing <sup>2</sup> into a normal document, chat box, or plain-text field does not create superscript; it will appear as literal text unless the destination parses HTML.
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Why common shortcuts fail
- The Word shortcut does nothing: confirm that text is selected, and check whether the application is Word rather than Google Docs. If you are using a non-US keyboard, the plus key may require a different physical combination.
- Google Docs inserts a period or triggers an extension: a browser extension may intercept Ctrl + .. Use Format > Text > Superscript instead.
- An Alt code does not work: Microsoft’s decimal Alt-code method requires the numeric keypad and Num Lock. The number row above the letters is not a substitute. Laptops without a usable numeric keypad may not support the commonly quoted sequence directly.
- Alt + X changes the wrong text: select only the Unicode code before pressing Alt + X, especially when the code follows another number or letter.
- The symbol becomes a square or changes appearance: the selected font may not contain that Unicode character. Try (normal text) in Word or another font with broader character coverage.
- The exponent disappears after pasting: rich-text formatting is not preserved in every destination. Use a Unicode character such as ² for a standalone digit, or use caret notation such as
10^2.
FAQ
What is the fastest way to type 10 to the power of 2?
In Word, type 102, select the final 2, and press Ctrl + Shift + + on Windows or Command + Shift + + on Mac. In Google Docs, select the 2 and press Ctrl + . on Windows/ChromeOS or ⌘ + . on Mac. In plain text, type 10^2.
Is Ctrl + Shift + = the universal shortcut for superscript?
No. It is the Microsoft Word Windows shortcut, commonly entered with the plus key as Ctrl + Shift + = on a US keyboard. Current Google Docs documentation uses Ctrl + . on Windows/ChromeOS and ⌘ + . on Mac.
How do I type a superscript 2 without formatting?
Copy and paste ², or insert it in Word through Insert > Symbol > More Symbols. In Word, you can also enter the Unicode code 00B2 and press Alt + X.
How do I type an exponent on a keyboard with no number pad?
Use the application’s superscript menu or shortcut, copy a Unicode character such as ² or ³, or type caret notation such as 2^5. Decimal Alt-code instructions generally require a numeric keypad and Num Lock.
How do I type powers in Excel?
Use the caret operator in a formula, such as =A1^2 or =10^3. You can also use =POWER(A1,2). These calculate the power and do not visually format the exponent.
How do I turn off superscript?
In Word or Google Docs, press the same superscript shortcut again when the mode is active, or use the application’s Superscript menu command. In Word, selecting the text and pressing Ctrl + Spacebar removes direct formatting.
The Bottom Line
Choose formatted superscript when the exponent should look raised, Unicode when you need a standalone character such as ² in plain text, and caret notation when you are writing a formula or code. The correct shortcut depends on the app: Word uses Ctrl + Shift + + on Windows, while Google Docs uses Ctrl + ..
