On this page
The three kinds of small text
| Type | Example | Height | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Caps | ᴛɪɴʏ | Lowercase height | Names, quiet titles |
| Superscript | ᵗⁱⁿʸ | Top of the line | Notes, tags like ᴼᶠᶜ |
| Subscript | ₜᵢₙy | Below the line | Effects, formulas |
Unicode only has subscript versions of some letters. Missing ones (like b, c, d, f, g, q, w, y and z) stay normal size.
How artists use small text
- Highlight covers: small caps fit short titles like ᴘʀᴏᴄᴇss and sᴋᴇᴛᴄʜᴇs.
- Edition numbers: "print ¹/₅₀" looks like a real gallery label.
- Footnotes in captions: a word¹ with a note below.
- Formulas: H₂O, CO₂ and m² with real Unicode digits.
Tiny numbers
Superscript digits (⁰¹²³⁴⁵⁶⁷⁸⁹) and subscript digits (₀₁₂₃₄₅₆₇₈₉) are complete, so you can write edition numbers, units and footnotes anywhere.
Questions artists ask
How do I type small text on Instagram?
Copy small caps or superscript here and paste it into your bio, name or highlight title.
Why don’t some letters shrink in subscript?
Unicode does not include subscript versions of every letter, so missing ones stay normal size.
What are small caps?
Capital letters drawn at the height of lowercase letters. They feel calm and refined.
Awais Ahmad
Founder and editor of Letras Bonitas Art. Builds the tools and writes the guides on this site for artists who letter on screens. How we review our pages.
