Markdown Superscript and Subscript

Superscript and subscript in Markdown

Text

Markdown syntax

Needs HTML

x<sup>2</sup>

Superscript with HTML. Works on GitHub.

CommonMark has no superscript or subscript. The HTML tags and are the portable choice; for anything that is really a formula, math notation gives better results.

All ways to write it

```
x2
```
Superscript with HTML. Works on GitHub.Needs HTML
```
H2O
```
Subscript with HTML.Needs HTML
```
x^2^ and H~2~O
```
Pandoc and some editors (Typora, markdown-it plugins).Some tools only
```
$x^2$ and $H_2O$
```
Math, in tools that render it. Use for formulas.Some tools only

Example

You type

E = mc<sup>2</sup>, and water is H<sub>2</sub>O.

See the footnote<sup>1</sup>.

You get

E = mc², and water is H₂O.

See the footnote¹.

Questions

Does ^text^ work on GitHub?

No. GitHub shows the carets as typed. Use text.

How do I write a footnote marker?

Use real footnote syntax, text[^1], where the tool supports it; it numbers and links the note for you. See the footnotes page.

Superscript, subscript in Confluence

For formulas, Markdown Macro+ renders $x^2$ and $H_2O$ with KaTeX. Outside the macro, LaTeX Math for Confluence adds inline and block equations to any page.