I think I've got it with.... \def\sk#1#2{% \setbox0\hbox{\strut #1}% \vbox{\offinterlineskip% \hbox to \the\wd0{\hfil\hbox{\fiverm #2}\hfil}% \kern-1pt \box0}% } Any suggestions?? Ideally I'd like to make it typeface/size independent.