Struggling to write the little subscript '2' in chemical formulas like H₂O or CO₂ on your Mac? You don’t have to resort to copying and pasting or clunky workarounds. Find out here how to insert a subscripted number '2’ ( ₂ ) on a Mac ⤓ using Character Picker or text replacement.
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How to Insert a Subscripted Number ‘2’ ( ▯₂ ) on a Mac for H₂O and More
Using Character Viewer
Time needed: 1 minute
To input a subscript number two ( ₂ ) anywhere on a Mac using macOS:
- Position the text insertion cursor where you want to insert the subscripted (lowered and small) number '2’.
Here’s where: In molecular chemical formulae, put the subscripted number immediately after the element’s symbol; if you use a subscripted number as a footnote, do also position it immediately after the character, word or passage to which it marks the footnote.
- Select Edit | Emoji & Symbols from the macOS menu.
Mac keyboard shortcut: You can also press 🌐︎ or Fn E to open the emoji panel.
- Type
subscriptin the search field. - Click ₂ (SUBSCRIPT TWO) in the search results to enter the lowered small number 2.
Example: Type
COfollowed by a subscript two for carbon dioxideCO₂.
Pasting: For one-off use, you can also copy the subscripted '2’ below.
Keyboard shortcut: To set up a key combination for inserting the subscript two, use text replacement; see below.
Their word: Apple include information on Character Viewer in the Mac User Guide.
Subscripted ₂ now as abundant as H₂O?
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Using a Shortcut with Text Replacement
To set up a text replacement shortcut for entering a subscript number two:
- Open macOS System Settings on the Mac.
- Go to the Keyboard category.
- Select Text Replacements… (under Text Input).
- Click +.
- Type the character combination you want to use for inserting the subscript two under Replace.
No ideal shortcut: Because whitespace cannot be part of a shortcut while the subscripted 2 should follow the preceding character immediately, an ideal shortcut is hard to find.
Examples: You can use something like--2for ₂ orco2for CO₂, for instance. - Now enter the desired expansion under With.
Pasting: Copy the characters for pasting into the field below. - Now click Add.
Also super: How to Type “Squared” ( ² ) on a Mac
How to Insert a Subscripted Number ‘2’ ( ▯₂ ) on a Mac: FAQ
Can I insert the subscripted 2 directly using Unicode?
Yes.
To input subscripted numbers using their Unicode code points on a Mac:
- Turn on and switch to Unicode Hex Input.
- Press and hold Option.
- Now type 2 0 8 2 for ₂.
Other numbers: You can find the code points to type for other subscripted numbers below. - Let go of the Option key.
subscript one ₁ | 2081 |
subscript three ₃ | 2083 |
subscript four ₄ | 2084 |
subscript five ₅ | 2085 |
subscript six ₆ | 2086 |
subscript seven ₇ | 2087 |
subscript eight ₈ | 2088 |
subscript nine ₉ | 2089 |
subscript zero ₀ | 2089 |
Can I copy the small lower number two for pasting?
Yes.
Use the table below to copy subscripted numbers for pasting anywhere on your Mac.
subscript two ₂ | |
subscript one ₁ | |
subscript three ₃ | |
subscript four ₄ | |
subscript five ₅ | |
subscript six ₆ | |
subscript seven ₇ | |
subscript eight ₈ | |
subscript nine ₉ | |
subscript zero ₀ |
(Tested with macOS Tahoe 26 and Sequoia 15: first published February 2025, last updated July 2026)