Markdown is the standard format for README files, documentation, and blog posts. This guide explains Markdown syntax and shows how to preview it live in your browser.
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Open Markdown Editor →What Is Markdown?
Markdown is a lightweight markup language created by John Gruber in 2004. It uses plain text symbols to indicate formatting — # for headings, ** for bold, - for lists — which are then converted to HTML.
Essential Markdown Syntax
# Heading 1
## Heading 2
### Heading 3
**bold text**
*italic text*
~~strikethrough~~
- Unordered list item
1. Ordered list item
[Link text](https://example.com)
`inline code`
```javascript
// code block
const x = 42;
```
> Blockquote
| Column 1 | Column 2 |
|----------|----------|
| Cell 1 | Cell 2 |Where Markdown Is Used
- GitHub / GitLab: README.md files, issues, pull requests
- Documentation: Notion, Confluence, Obsidian, MkDocs
- Blogging: Jekyll, Hugo, Ghost all accept Markdown
- Chat: Slack, Discord, Microsoft Teams support Markdown
- Note-taking: Obsidian, Bear, Typora
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between Markdown flavors?
CommonMark is the standard. GitHub Flavored Markdown (GFM) adds tables, task lists, and strikethrough. Each platform may support slightly different extensions.
Can I export Markdown as HTML?
Yes. The tool includes an Export to HTML button that generates a complete HTML file from your Markdown.
Does Markdown support HTML?
Yes — raw HTML is valid within Markdown. You can embed
<div>, <span>, or any HTML element directly.How do I add a table in Markdown?
Use pipes and dashes:
| Col1 | Col2 | for headers, then |---|---| as a separator row.