SymbolHub

Subscript Two (₂)

The subscript two ₂ is Unicode U+2082, the lowered digit two for chemical formulas. Press Copy to put it on your clipboard.

Unicode
U+2082
HTML
₂
Word
2082 Alt+X

How to type the subscript two (₂)

The quickest way is to press Copy above and paste. To type ₂ yourself, use the method for your device below.

Windows

  1. In Word or Outlook, type 2082 and press Alt + X. Alt + X converts the hex code before the cursor into the character, and back again.
  2. Press Win + R, type charmap and press Enter. Tick “Advanced view”, search for Subscript Two, then Select and Copy. Character Map is built into every version of Windows.

Mac

  1. Press Control + Command + Space to open the Character Viewer, search for subscript two and double-click it.
  2. With the Unicode Hex Input keyboard enabled (System Settings → Keyboard → Input Sources), hold Option and type 2082.

Linux & ChromeOS

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + U, type 2082, then press Enter or Space. Works in GTK and IBus apps (GNOME, Firefox, Chrome, LibreOffice) and on ChromeOS.

iPhone & iPad

  1. Copy ₂ from this page, then go to Settings → General → Keyboard → Text Replacement and add it with a shortcut such as ;subs. The shortcut then turns into the symbol as you type, in every app.

Android

  1. Copy ₂ here, then open Gboard settings → Dictionary → Personal dictionary and add it with a shortcut.

Microsoft Word

  1. Type 2082, then press Alt + X.
  2. Insert → Symbol → More Symbols. Set “from” to Unicode (hex), type 2082 in “Character code” and click Insert.

Google Docs

  1. Insert → Special characters, then search for “subscript two” or draw it in the box.

Excel & Google Sheets

  1. Enter =UNICHAR(8322) in a cell. It works in Excel 2013 and later and in Google Sheets.

HTML

  1. Write ₂ or ₂ in your HTML.

What does ₂ mean?

₂ is a lowered digit two. Its best-known job is chemistry: H₂O, CO₂, O₂, and the base-2 logarithm log₂ n in computer science. Pasting the character keeps the formula intact in places that do not support formatting, such as social posts, spreadsheet cells and file names. In a document, a normal 2 formatted as subscript is equally correct and easier to type.

Common uses

  • Chemical formulas: CO₂, H₂SO₄
  • Indices and bases: x₂, log₂

Subscript Two codes for HTML, CSS and programming

Every code below produces ₂. Use the HTML entity in web pages, the CSS escape in content, and the escape sequence in source code.

Unicode code pointU+2082
HTML decimal₂
HTML hex₂
CSS contentcontent: "\2082";
JavaScript"\u2082"
Python"\u2082"
Python (by name)"\N{SUBSCRIPT TWO}"
Java / C#"\u2082"
UTF-8 bytesE2 82 82
UTF-162082
URL encoded%E2%82%82

₂ vs look-alike characters

These characters look similar to ₂ but have a different meaning and code. Pasting the wrong one can break search, sorting and screen readers.

CharNameWhen to use it
Superscript Two
U+00B2		Superscript two, which means squared and sits above the line.
Digit Two
U+0032		The ordinary digit formatted as subscript in a word processor.

Symbols similar to ₂

Click to copy, or open a symbol for its codes. See the full superscript and subscript collection.

  • Details
  • Details
  • Details

₂ character properties

Official Unicode name
SUBSCRIPT TWO
Also known as
subscript 2, lower 2, sub 2
Code point
U+2082
Unicode block
Superscripts and Subscripts (U+2070–U+209F)
General category
Other number (No)
Added in
Unicode 1.1 (1993)
Plane
Basic Multilingual Plane (0)
Emoji
No, it is a text symbol

Frequently asked questions

How do I type CO₂?

Type CO and paste ₂ from this page. In Word, select the 2 and press Ctrl + = to make it subscript, or type 2082 then Alt + X to insert the ₂ character.

Is there an alt code for the subscript two?

No. ₂ is outside the Windows-1252 and code page 437 character sets, so no Alt + number code produces it. Copy it from this page, type 2082 then Alt + X in Word, or find it in Character Map.

How do I type the subscript two on a Mac?

There is no single Option shortcut for ₂ on the US layout. Press Control + Command + Space to open the Character Viewer, search for “subscript two” and double-click it, or copy it from this page.

What is the HTML code for the subscript two?

₂ has no named HTML entity. Use the numeric reference ₂ or ₂, or paste the character directly into a UTF-8 page.

What is the Unicode for the subscript two?

₂ is U+2082, officially named SUBSCRIPT TWO, in the Superscripts and Subscripts block. It has been part of Unicode since version 1.1 (1993).