Superscript Four

The Superscript Four at U+2074 is a raised digit in the Superscripts and Subscripts block, used to write the number 4 above the normal text line. It functions as a compact typographic form of a superscripted numeral, most often when plain text needs to show an exponent, footnote marker, or ordinal-style notation without full mathematical typesetting. Its most recognizable use is in mathematics and science, where it can indicate the fourth power, as in x⁴ for “x to the fourth,” or units raised to a power, such as m⁴ in dimensional formulas. It also appears in chemistry, physics, and engineering notes when exponents must remain inline in filenames, labels, spreadsheet cells, or simple text fields. In publishing and reference writing, it may serve as a footnote or endnote marker after a word or sentence, especially in copied text from formatted documents. It is also seen in informal digital writing for dates, rankings, and compact annotations, although many style guides prefer ordinary superscript formatting rather than this dedicated character. Because it is a distinct character rather than a styled regular 4, searching or editing text may treat ⁴ differently from a normal digit formatted as superscript.