Markdown is a lightweight markup language created by John Gruber in 2004 that lets you write formatted text using plain characters. A Markdown file is a .md text file readable in any editor, and can be converted to HTML, PDF, or other formats instantly.

How do I create headings in Markdown?

Use # symbols at the start of a line. The number of # symbols determines the heading level: # for H1, ## for H2, ### for H3, and so on up to H6.

How do I make text bold or italic in Markdown?

Wrap text with ** for bold (**bold**), _ or * for italic (_italic_), and ~~ for strikethrough (~~strikethrough~~). Combine them for bold italic: **_bold italic_**.

How do I create a code block in Markdown?

Use backticks for inline code (`code`) and triple backticks for code blocks. Add a language name after the opening triple backticks for syntax highlighting (e.g. ```javascript).

How do I create links in Markdown?

Use [link text](url) for inline links. Add an optional tooltip with [text](url "title"). Images use the same syntax with a ! prefix: ![alt text](image.png).

How do I create a table in Markdown?

Use pipes | to separate columns and dashes --- for the header separator row. Control alignment with colons: :--- for left, :---: for center, ---: for right.

use Markdown

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Reference

Markdown Guide

Everything you need to know about Markdown syntax — from basics to tables. Quick examples, clean output.

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What is Markdown?

Markdown is a lightweight markup language that lets you write formatted text using plain characters. Created by John Gruber in 2004, it's now used everywhere — GitHub, Reddit, documentation systems, and editors like this one.

A Markdown file is just a .md text file. You can open it in any editor, read it without rendering, and convert it to HTML, PDF, or any other format instantly.

The core idea

Markdown reads naturally as plain text and looks clean when rendered. You write **bold** and it becomes bold. # Heading becomes a heading.

Headings

Use # symbols at the start of a line. The number of # determines the heading level (1–6).

# Heading 1

## Heading 2

### Heading 3

#### Heading 4

Heading 1

Heading 2

Heading 3

Heading 4

Text Formatting

Wrap text with special characters to apply inline formatting.

**Bold text**

_Italic text_

~~Strikethrough~~

**Bold** and _italic_

`inline code`

Bold text

Italic text

~~Strikethrough~~

Bold and italic

inline code

**text** or __text__Bold

_text_ or *text*Italic

~~text~~Strikethrough

`code`Inline code

**_text_**Bold + italic

==text==Highlight (some parsers)

Lists

Three list types: unordered, ordered, and task lists.

Unordered

- First item

- Second item

- Nested item

Ordered

1. First

2. Second

3. Third

Task list

- [x] Done

- [ ] To do

Unordered

First item
Second item
- Nested item

Ordered

First
Second
Third

Task list

Done

To do

Links & Images

Links and images share the same syntax — images just have a ! prefix.

[Link text](https://example.com)

![Alt text](image.png)

[Hover me](url "Tooltip title")

Link text

image.png

Hover me

Code

Use backticks for inline code, triple backticks for blocks. Add a language name for syntax highlighting.

Inline

Run `npm install` first.

Block

```javascript

const x = 42

console.log(x)

```

Inline

Run npm install first.

Block

const x = 42
console.log(x)

Supported language names: javascript, typescript, python, bash, css, html, json, and many more.

Blockquotes

Start a line with > to create a blockquote. Nest them with >>.

> The best tool is the one

> you actually use.

> Outer quote.

>> Nested quote.

The best tool is the one you actually use.

Outer quote.
Nested quote.

Tables

Use pipes | and dashes --- to create tables. Alignment is set with colons in the separator row.

| Name | Role | Score |

|--------|--------|-------|

| Alice | Dev | 92 |

| Bob | Design | 88 |

Alignment

:--- left · :---: center · ---: right

Name	Role	Score
Alice	Dev	92
Bob	Design	88

Horizontal Rule

Three or more dashes, asterisks, or underscores on their own line create a horizontal divider.

Section one

---

Section two

Section one

Section two

Ready to put it to use?

Open useMarkdown and start writing. All the syntax above works out of the box.

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