What this calculator does
A superscript generator turns ordinary typed text into small raised characters, the kind used for a squared exponent, a footnote marker or an ordinal suffix like "4th". It works the same way the bold text generator does: rather than applying a font style, it substitutes each character for a different, permanent Unicode character that happens to be drawn small and raised.
Because the result is made of ordinary Unicode characters, it pastes correctly into places that strip out real formatting, such as usernames, social media bios and plain-text messages, anywhere a genuine superscript tag would otherwise be stripped out.
The formula
Each digit 0-9, most lowercase letters, and a handful of symbols and capital letters are looked up in a fixed table of Unicode superscript code points and swapped in. A character with no defined Unicode superscript form, including several lowercase letters and most capitals, is left exactly as typed, since no substitute exists for it.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Unicode superscript block | A scattered set of Unicode code points, built up over different additions to the standard, defining small raised forms of digits, some letters and a few symbols. |
| Code point | A fixed numeric identifier Unicode assigns to a character. Superscript code points exist only for the specific characters they were defined for, unlike the more complete Mathematical Alphanumeric Symbols block used for bold and italic text. |
| Unsupported character | A letter, most commonly c, f, q, s, x, y, z in lowercase, or most capital letters, for which Unicode has never defined a true superscript code point. |
The inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Text | The text to convert. Digits, most lowercase letters and the symbols + − = ( ) are converted where a Unicode superscript form exists; everything else is left unchanged. |
When to use it
Writing a mathematical exponent in plain text
Chat, comments and plain-text notes usually cannot render true superscript formatting, so "x²" needs the 2 itself replaced with a superscript character rather than a formatting tag.
Adding a footnote marker to a line of text
A raised number or symbol after a word, marking a footnote or reference, is a common use for superscript characters outside of maths.
Styling an ordinal suffix or username
Small raised letters after a number, such as in "4th" or "1st", or as decoration in a username or bio, are a common stylistic use once the underlying character set is understood.
Worked examples
Every figure in the tables below is produced by this page’s own calculator at build time, so the numbers and the tool always agree. Select any row to load that scenario.
How do different kinds of text convert to superscript?
Digits, an exponent, an ordinal and a mixed word, each run through the converter.
| Text entered | Superscript result | Characters without a true superscript form |
|---|---|---|
| x2 | ˣ² | 0 |
| H2O | ᴴ²ᴼ | 0 |
| 4th | ⁴ᵗʰ | 0 |
| a+b=c | ᵃ⁺ᵇ⁼ᶜ | 0 |
| StatGarden | Sᵗᵃᵗᴳᵃʳᵈᵉⁿ | 1 |
Questions
Why do some letters not convert?
Unicode only defines superscript code points for the specific characters that have historically needed them, mostly for phonetic notation and a handful of abbreviations. Common lowercase letters such as c, f, q, s, x, y and z, and almost all capital letters, were simply never assigned a superscript form, so this tool leaves them unchanged rather than guessing a substitute.
Will superscript text display correctly everywhere?
Anywhere with standard Unicode support, which covers essentially all modern devices and apps, it displays correctly. Some very old software or a font with incomplete Unicode coverage may show a placeholder box instead for the rarer characters.
Is this the same as HTML superscript (the sup tag)?
No. HTML superscript is a formatting instruction applied to ordinary text, recognised correctly by search engines and screen readers. Unicode superscript text is a different set of characters entirely, which some screen readers may mispronounce and some search systems may not match against the plain-text word.
Can I convert numbers as well as letters?
Yes, every digit 0 to 9 has a defined Unicode superscript form, along with the plus, minus, equals and bracket symbols, so exponents and simple expressions convert in full.
For a bold, italic or sans-serif version of typed text instead, see the bold text generator.