diff --git a/class/dashboard/subpage-main.php b/class/dashboard/subpage-main.php
index 675860b..290ed83 100644
--- a/class/dashboard/subpage-main.php
+++ b/class/dashboard/subpage-main.php
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
  * @since 1.5.0 14.09.14 14:47
  *
  *
- * @lastmodified 2021-02-12T1035+0100
+ * @lastmodified 2021-02-12T1705+0100
  *
  * @since 2.0.4  restore arrow settings  2020-11-01T0509+0100
  * @since 2.1.0  read-on button label  2020-11-08T2148+0100
@@ -615,6 +615,12 @@ class MCI_Footnotes_Layout_Settings extends MCI_Footnotes_LayoutEngine {
         $l_arr_Enabled = array(
             "yes" => __("Yes", MCI_Footnotes_Config::C_STR_PLUGIN_NAME),
             "no" => __("No", MCI_Footnotes_Config::C_STR_PLUGIN_NAME)
+		);
+		// options for superscript normalize scope:
+        $l_arr_NormalizeSuperscript = array(
+            "no" => __("No", MCI_Footnotes_Config::C_STR_PLUGIN_NAME),
+            "referrers" => __("Footnote referrers", MCI_Footnotes_Config::C_STR_PLUGIN_NAME),
+            "all" => __("All superscript elements", MCI_Footnotes_Config::C_STR_PLUGIN_NAME),
         );
         // load template file
         $l_obj_Template = new MCI_Footnotes_Template(MCI_Footnotes_Template::C_STR_DASHBOARD, "customize-superscript");
@@ -632,6 +638,10 @@ class MCI_Footnotes_Layout_Settings extends MCI_Footnotes_LayoutEngine {
 
                 "label-link" => $this->addLabel(MCI_Footnotes_Settings::C_BOOL_LINK_ELEMENT_ENABLED, __("Use the link element for referrers and backlinks:", MCI_Footnotes_Config::C_STR_PLUGIN_NAME)),
                 "notice-link" => __("Please find this setting at the end of the reference container settings. The link element is needed to apply the theme’s link color.", MCI_Footnotes_Config::C_STR_PLUGIN_NAME),
+
+                "label-normalize" => $this->addLabel(MCI_Footnotes_Settings::C_STR_FOOTNOTE_REFERRERS_NORMAL_SUPERSCRIPT, __("Normalize vertical alignment and font size:", MCI_Footnotes_Config::C_STR_PLUGIN_NAME)),
+                "normalize" => $this->addSelectBox(MCI_Footnotes_Settings::C_STR_FOOTNOTE_REFERRERS_NORMAL_SUPERSCRIPT, $l_arr_NormalizeSuperscript),
+                "notice-normalize" => __("Most themes don’t need this fix.", MCI_Footnotes_Config::C_STR_PLUGIN_NAME),
             )
         );
         // display template with replaced placeholders
diff --git a/class/settings.php b/class/settings.php
index 2cc0b8e..e0dc440 100644
--- a/class/settings.php
+++ b/class/settings.php
@@ -675,7 +675,7 @@ class MCI_Footnotes_Settings {
     const C_STR_HARD_LINK_IDS_SEPARATOR           = "footnotes_inputfield_hard_link_ids_separator";
 
     /**
-     * Settings container key for shortcode syntax validation
+     * Settings container key for shortcode syntax validation.
      *
      * @since 2.4.0
      * @var str
@@ -685,7 +685,7 @@ class MCI_Footnotes_Settings {
     const C_BOOL_FOOTNOTE_SHORTCODE_SYNTAX_VALIDATION_ENABLE = "footnotes_inputfield_shortcode_syntax_validation_enable";
 
     /**
-     * Settings container key to enable a backlink tooltip
+     * Settings container key to enable a backlink tooltip.
      *
      * -
      *
@@ -699,7 +699,7 @@ class MCI_Footnotes_Settings {
     const C_BOOL_FOOTNOTES_BACKLINK_TOOLTIP_ENABLE = "footnotes_inputfield_backlink_tooltip_enable";
 
     /**
-     * Settings container key to configure the backlink tooltip
+     * Settings container key to configure the backlink tooltip.
      *
      * -
      *
@@ -713,7 +713,7 @@ class MCI_Footnotes_Settings {
     const C_STR_FOOTNOTES_BACKLINK_TOOLTIP_TEXT = "footnotes_inputfield_backlink_tooltip_text";
 
     /**
-     * Settings container key to configure the tooltip excerpt delimiter
+     * Settings container key to configure the tooltip excerpt delimiter.
      *
      * -
      *
@@ -727,7 +727,7 @@ class MCI_Footnotes_Settings {
     const C_STR_FOOTNOTES_TOOLTIP_EXCERPT_DELIMITER = "footnotes_inputfield_tooltip_excerpt_delimiter";
 
     /**
-     * Settings container key to enable mirroring the tooltip excerpt in the reference container
+     * Settings container key to enable mirroring the tooltip excerpt in the reference container.
      *
      * -
      *
@@ -741,7 +741,7 @@ class MCI_Footnotes_Settings {
     const C_BOOL_FOOTNOTES_TOOLTIP_EXCERPT_MIRROR_ENABLE = "footnotes_inputfield_tooltip_excerpt_mirror_enable";
 
     /**
-     * Settings container key to configure the tooltip excerpt separator in the reference container
+     * Settings container key to configure the tooltip excerpt separator in the reference container.
      *
      * -
      *
@@ -754,6 +754,20 @@ class MCI_Footnotes_Settings {
      */
     const C_STR_FOOTNOTES_TOOLTIP_EXCERPT_MIRROR_SEPARATOR = "footnotes_inputfield_tooltip_excerpt_mirror_separator";
 
+    /**
+     * Settings container key to enable superscript style normalization.
+     *
+     * -
+     *
+     * @since 2.5.4
+     *
+     * @reporter
+     * @link
+     *
+     * @var str
+     */
+    const C_STR_FOOTNOTE_REFERRERS_NORMAL_SUPERSCRIPT = "footnotes_inputfield_referrers_normal_superscript";
+
 
     /**
      *      SETTINGS STORAGE
@@ -924,6 +938,7 @@ class MCI_Footnotes_Settings {
             self::C_STR_FOOTNOTES_TOOLTIP_EXCERPT_DELIMITER           => '[[/tooltip]]',
             self::C_BOOL_FOOTNOTES_TOOLTIP_EXCERPT_MIRROR_ENABLE      => 'no',
             self::C_STR_FOOTNOTES_TOOLTIP_EXCERPT_MIRROR_SEPARATOR   => ' — ',
+            self::C_STR_FOOTNOTE_REFERRERS_NORMAL_SUPERSCRIPT   => 'no',
 
 
             // The default position should not be lateral because of the risk
diff --git a/class/task.php b/class/task.php
index f240ee5..1f9e8b2 100644
--- a/class/task.php
+++ b/class/task.php
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
  * @since 1.5.0
  *
  *
- * @lastmodified  2021-02-12T1100+0100
+ * @lastmodified  2021-02-12T1641+0100
  *
  * @since 2.0.0  Bugfix: various.
  * @since 2.0.4  Bugfix: Referrers and backlinks: remove hard links to streamline browsing history, thanks to @theroninjedi47 bug report.
@@ -74,6 +74,7 @@
  * @since 2.5.1  Bugfix: Hooks: support footnotes in Popup Maker popups, thanks to @squatcher bug report.
  * @since 2.5.2  Update: Tooltips: ability to display dedicated content before `[[/tooltip]]`, thanks to @jbj2199 issue report.
  * @since 2.5.3  Bugfix: Reference container, tooltips: URL wrap: exclude URL pattern as folder name in Wayback Machine URL, thanks to @rumperuu bug report.
+ * @since 2.5.4  Bugfix: Referrers: optional fixes to vertical alignment, font size and position (static) for in-theme consistency and cross-theme stability, thanks to
  * @since 2.5.4  Bugfix: Reference container, tooltips: URL wrap: account for leading space in value, thanks to @karolszakiel example provision.
  * @since 2.5.4  Update: Reference container: Hard backlinks (optional): optional configurable tooltip hinting to use the backbutton instead, thanks to @@theroninjedi47 bug report.
  * @since 2.5.4  Bugfix: Tooltips: fix display in Popup Maker popups by correcting a coding error.
@@ -186,12 +187,12 @@ class MCI_Footnotes_Task {
 
     /**
      * Hard links for AMP compatibility
-	 * 
+     *
      * @since 2.0.0  Bugfix: footnote links script independent.
-	 * 
-	 * 
-	 * - Bugfix: Referrers and backlinks: remove hard links to streamline browsing history, thanks to @theroninjedi47 bug report.
-	 * 
+     *
+     *
+     * - Bugfix: Referrers and backlinks: remove hard links to streamline browsing history, thanks to @theroninjedi47 bug report.
+     *
      * @since 2.0.4
      *
      * @reporter @theroninjedi47
@@ -571,12 +572,37 @@ class MCI_Footnotes_Task {
      * @since 2.2.5  Bugfix: Reference container: Label: make bottom border an option, thanks to @markhillyer issue report.
      * @since 2.2.5  Bugfix: Reference container: Label: option to select paragraph or heading element, thanks to @markhillyer issue report.
      * @since 2.3.0  Bugfix: Reference container: convert top padding to margin and make it a setting, thanks to @hamshe bug report.
+     * @since 2.5.4  Bugfix: Referrers: optional fixes to vertical alignment, font size and position (static) for in-theme consistency and cross-theme stability, thanks to @tomturowski bug report.
      */
     public function wp_head() {
 
         // insert start tag without switching out of PHP:
         echo "\r\n<style type=\"text/css\" media=\"all\">\r\n";
 
+        /**
+         * Normalizes the referrers’ vertical alignment and font size.
+         *
+         * - Bugfix: Referrers: optional fixes to vertical alignment, font size and position (static) for in-theme consistency and cross-theme stability, thanks to @tomturowski bug report.
+         *
+         * @since 2.5.4
+         * @datetime 2021-02-12T1631+0100
+         *
+         * @reporter @tomturowski
+         * @link https://wordpress.org/support/topic/in-line-superscript-ref-rides-to-high/
+         *
+         * Cannot be included in external style sheet, as it is only optional.
+         * The scope is variable too: referrers only, or all superscript elements.
+         */
+        $l_str_NormalizeSuperscript = MCI_Footnotes_Settings::instance()->get( MCI_Footnotes_Settings::C_STR_FOOTNOTE_REFERRERS_NORMAL_SUPERSCRIPT );
+        if ( $l_str_NormalizeSuperscript !== 'no' ) {
+            if ( $l_str_NormalizeSuperscript === 'all' ) {
+                echo "sup {";
+            } else {
+                echo ".footnote_plugin_tooltip_text {";
+            }
+            echo "vertical-align: super; font-size: smaller; position: static;}\r\n";
+        }
+
         /**
          * Reference container display on home page
          *
@@ -878,7 +904,7 @@ class MCI_Footnotes_Task {
          * @reporter @andreasra
          * @link https://wordpress.org/support/topic/footnotes-appearing-in-header/page/2/#post-13632566
          *
-         * Alternative tooltip script: printed formatted, not minified:
+         * The script for alternative tooltips is printed formatted, not minified:
          */
         if ( self::$a_bool_AlternativeTooltipsEnabled ) {
             ?>
@@ -1174,7 +1200,7 @@ class MCI_Footnotes_Task {
          *
          *
          * If footnotes short codes are unbalanced, and syntax validation is not disabled,
-         * prepended a warning to the content; displays de facto beneath the post title.
+         * prepend a warning to the content; displays de facto beneath the post title.
          */
         if (MCI_Footnotes_Convert::toBool(MCI_Footnotes_Settings::instance()->get(MCI_Footnotes_Settings::C_BOOL_FOOTNOTE_SHORTCODE_SYNTAX_VALIDATION_ENABLE))) {
 
@@ -1569,11 +1595,11 @@ class MCI_Footnotes_Task {
                     $l_str_FootnoteLinkArgument .= $l_int_Index;
                     $l_str_FootnoteLinkArgument .= '" class="footnote_hard_link"';
 
-					/**
-					 * Compose fragment ID anchor with offset, for use in reference container.
-					 * Empty span, child of empty span, to avoid tall dotted rectangles in browser.
-					 */
-					$l_str_ReferrerAnchorElement  = '<span class="footnote_referrer_base"><span id="';
+                    /**
+                     * Compose fragment ID anchor with offset, for use in reference container.
+                     * Empty span, child of empty span, to avoid tall dotted rectangles in browser.
+                     */
+                    $l_str_ReferrerAnchorElement  = '<span class="footnote_referrer_base"><span id="';
                     $l_str_ReferrerAnchorElement .= self::$a_str_ReferrerLinkSlug;
                     $l_str_ReferrerAnchorElement .= self::$a_str_PostContainerIdCompound;
                     $l_str_ReferrerAnchorElement .= $l_int_Index;
@@ -1917,33 +1943,33 @@ class MCI_Footnotes_Task {
             $l_str_HardLinkAddress = '';
 
             if (self::$a_bool_HardLinksEnable) {
-				
-				/**
-				 * Use-Backbutton-Hint tooltip, optional and configurable.
-				 * 
-				 * - Update: Reference container: Hard backlinks (optional): optional configurable tooltip hinting to use the backbutton instead, thanks to @@theroninjedi47 bug report.
-				 * 
-				 * @since 2.5.4
-				 * 
-				 * @reporter @@theroninjedi47
-				 * @link https://wordpress.org/support/topic/hyperlinked-footnotes-creating-excessive-back-history/
-				 * 
-				 * When hard links are enabled, clicks on the backlinks are logged in the browsing history.
-				 * This tooltip hints to use the backbutton instead, so the history gets streamlined again.
-				 * @link https://wordpress.org/support/topic/making-it-amp-compatible/#post-13837359
-				 */
-				if ( MCI_Footnotes_Convert::toBool( MCI_Footnotes_Settings::instance()->get( MCI_Footnotes_Settings::C_BOOL_FOOTNOTES_BACKLINK_TOOLTIP_ENABLE ) ) ) {
-					$l_str_UseBackbuttonHint  = ' title="';
-					$l_str_UseBackbuttonHint .= MCI_Footnotes_Settings::instance()->get(MCI_Footnotes_Settings::C_STR_FOOTNOTES_BACKLINK_TOOLTIP_TEXT);
-					$l_str_UseBackbuttonHint .= '"';
-				} else {
-					$l_str_UseBackbuttonHint = '';
-				}
 
-				/**
-				 * Compose fragment ID anchor with offset, for use in reference container.
-				 * Empty span, child of empty span, to avoid tall dotted rectangles in browser.
-				 */
+                /**
+                 * Use-Backbutton-Hint tooltip, optional and configurable.
+                 *
+                 * - Update: Reference container: Hard backlinks (optional): optional configurable tooltip hinting to use the backbutton instead, thanks to @@theroninjedi47 bug report.
+                 *
+                 * @since 2.5.4
+                 *
+                 * @reporter @@theroninjedi47
+                 * @link https://wordpress.org/support/topic/hyperlinked-footnotes-creating-excessive-back-history/
+                 *
+                 * When hard links are enabled, clicks on the backlinks are logged in the browsing history.
+                 * This tooltip hints to use the backbutton instead, so the history gets streamlined again.
+                 * @link https://wordpress.org/support/topic/making-it-amp-compatible/#post-13837359
+                 */
+                if ( MCI_Footnotes_Convert::toBool( MCI_Footnotes_Settings::instance()->get( MCI_Footnotes_Settings::C_BOOL_FOOTNOTES_BACKLINK_TOOLTIP_ENABLE ) ) ) {
+                    $l_str_UseBackbuttonHint  = ' title="';
+                    $l_str_UseBackbuttonHint .= MCI_Footnotes_Settings::instance()->get(MCI_Footnotes_Settings::C_STR_FOOTNOTES_BACKLINK_TOOLTIP_TEXT);
+                    $l_str_UseBackbuttonHint .= '"';
+                } else {
+                    $l_str_UseBackbuttonHint = '';
+                }
+
+                /**
+                 * Compose fragment ID anchor with offset, for use in reference container.
+                 * Empty span, child of empty span, to avoid tall dotted rectangles in browser.
+                 */
                 $l_str_FootnoteAnchorElement  = '<span class="footnote_item_base"><span id="';
                 $l_str_FootnoteAnchorElement .= self::$a_str_FootnoteLinkSlug;
                 $l_str_FootnoteAnchorElement .= self::$a_str_PostContainerIdCompound;
@@ -2003,7 +2029,7 @@ class MCI_Footnotes_Task {
                     $l_str_FootnoteReference .= self::$a_str_ReferrerLinkSlug;
                     $l_str_FootnoteReference .= self::$a_str_PostContainerIdCompound;
                     $l_str_FootnoteReference .= $l_str_FootnoteId . '"';
-					$l_str_FootnoteReference .= $l_str_UseBackbuttonHint;
+                    $l_str_FootnoteReference .= $l_str_UseBackbuttonHint;
                 }
                 $l_str_FootnoteReference .= ' class="footnote_backlink"';
 
diff --git a/css/public.css b/css/public.css
index e0c6ce6..dec5f67 100755
--- a/css/public.css
+++ b/css/public.css
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
 
 /* Version: 2.5.4
 
-Last modified: 2021-02-12T1051+0100
+Last modified: 2021-02-12T1709+0100
 
 
         Classes recommended for Custom CSS are listed in
@@ -177,9 +177,6 @@ Classes:
 
 @since 2.1.1  Referrers: line height 0 to fix superscript, thanks to @cwbayer bug report
 @see <https://wordpress.org/support/topic/footnote-number-in-text-superscript-disrupts-leading/>
-
-@since 2.5.4  Bugfix: Referrers: fix vertical alignment, font size and position (static) for cross-theme stability, thanks to @tomturowski bug report.
-@link https://wordpress.org/support/topic/in-line-superscript-ref-rides-to-high/
 */
 
 .footnote_referrer,
@@ -205,9 +202,6 @@ Classes:
 
 .footnote_plugin_tooltip_text {
     line-height: 0;
-    vertical-align: super;
-    font-size: smaller;
-    position: static;
     cursor: pointer;
 }
 
diff --git a/footnotes.php b/footnotes.php
index 1feb710..2d8bb9f 100755
--- a/footnotes.php
+++ b/footnotes.php
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
     Plugin URI: https://wordpress.org/plugins/footnotes/
     Description: time to bring footnotes to your website! footnotes are known from offline publishing and everybody takes them for granted when reading a magazine.
     Author: Mark Cheret
-    Version: 2.5.4d6
+    Version: 2.5.4d7
     Author URI: http://cheret.de/plugins/footnotes-2/
     Text Domain: footnotes
     Domain Path: /languages
@@ -18,10 +18,10 @@
  * @since 2.1.4
  * @since 2.5.3 (Hungarian)
  * @var str
- * @lastmodified 2021-02-12T1056+0100
+ * @lastmodified 2021-02-12T1707+0100
  * @committer @pewgeuges
  */
-define( 'C_STR_FOOTNOTES_VERSION', '2.5.4d6' );
+define( 'C_STR_FOOTNOTES_VERSION', '2.5.4d7' );
 
 /*
     LICENSE NOTICE
diff --git a/readme.txt b/readme.txt
index ed55287..306784a 100755
--- a/readme.txt
+++ b/readme.txt
@@ -79,8 +79,8 @@ Visit this swift write-up from a **footnotes** user by the name of **Southwest**
 
 == Changelog ==
 
-= 2.5.4d6 =
-- Bugfix: Referrers: fix vertical alignment, font size and position (static) for cross-theme stability, thanks to @tomturowski bug report.
+= 2.5.4d7 =
+- Bugfix: Referrers: optional fixes to vertical alignment, font size and position (static) for in-theme consistency and cross-theme stability, thanks to @tomturowski bug report.
 - Bugfix: Reference container, tooltips: URL wrap: enable the 'word-wrap: anywhere' rule, thanks to @rebelc0de bug report.
 - Bugfix: Reference container, tooltips: URL wrap: account for leading space in value, thanks to @karolszakiel example provision.
 - Bugfix: Dashboard: Tooltip dimensions: move from 'Tooltip position' to a dedicated metabox, thanks to @codldmac issue report.
diff --git a/templates/dashboard/customize-superscript.html b/templates/dashboard/customize-superscript.html
index aa61e71..e3a0333 100644
--- a/templates/dashboard/customize-superscript.html
+++ b/templates/dashboard/customize-superscript.html
@@ -16,5 +16,9 @@
             <td>[[label-link]]</td>
             <td><span class="footnotes_notice">[[notice-link]]</span></td>
         </tr>
+        <tr>
+            <td>[[label-normalize]]</td>
+            <td>[[normalize]] <span class="footnotes_notice">[[notice-normalize]]</span></td>
+        </tr>
     </tbody>
 </table>