Subscript Two symbol
Type :sub2: · Numbers
What ₂ is for
The workhorse of the set. H₂O and CO₂ are the two formulas that everyone writes at some point, and both need this exact character rather than a plain 2.
How to type ₂
The shortcuts below are the built-in routes. With
Emoji Anywhere
installed you can skip all of them and type
:sub2: in any text field instead, which
is the same on every platform.
macOS
No direct shortcut. Use Edit → Emoji & Symbols, or switch to the Unicode Hex
Input source and type 2082 with Option
held.
Windows
No Alt code. In Word, type 2082 then press Alt +
X. Elsewhere use the emoji panel with Win + Period, or Character Map.
Shortcodes
:sub2: :subscript_two: On the web
HTML ₂
Unicode U+2082
What ₂ gets mistaken for
superscript two
The raised twin, meaning squared. Getting these two the wrong way round turns water into something that does not exist.
More from numbers
:sup0: ¹ :sup1: ² :sup2: ³ :sup3: ⁴ :sup4: ⁵ :sup5: ⁶ :sup6: ⁷ :sup7: ⁸ :sup8: ⁹ :sup9: ⁿ :supn: ₀ :sub0: Every symbol and kaomoji is in the full gallery .
Tired of copying ₂ from pages like this one?
That is exactly what the extension removes. Here is the whole interaction, in every text field you already use:
You type
You get
Your keyboard already knows what you mean
Free, 290 KB, no account. Two letters from now you will never open an emoji panel again.