LaTeX Superscript: A Complete Guide with Examples

Superscripts are essential in LaTeX for mathematical notation, scientific formulas, footnotes, and more. This comprehensive guide covers how to create superscripts in LaTeX, troubleshoot common issues, and optimize formatting for professional documents.

How to Write Superscripts in LaTeX

1. Basic Superscript Syntax

Use the caret symbol (^) in math mode for superscripts:

$x^2$  % Renders as x²
$A^{n+1}$  % Multi-character superscript

2. Superscripts Outside Math Mode

For text (e.g., footnotes), use \textsuperscript{}:

Chemical formula: H\textsuperscript{2}O  % H²O

3. Common Use Cases

  • Exponents: $x^3$ → x³
  • Units: $m^2$ → m² (square meters)
  • Footnotes: Author\textsuperscript{1} → Author¹

Troubleshooting LaTeX Superscripts

Problem 1: Superscript Not Appearing

Cause: Forgetting math mode ($...$ or \[...\]).

Fix:

Correct: $x^2$
Wrong: x^2  % No superscript

Advanced Superscript Formatting

1. Nested Superscripts

Use double carets (^{x^y}):

$e^{x^{2y}}$  % eˣ²ʸ

Alternative: Quick Superscript Generator

For users who need instant superscripts without LaTeX, use the following free online tool:

LaTeX Superscript Generator Tool

It supports custom formatting and copy-paste-ready output for websites, Word, and more.

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