What is Markdown?
Markdown is a lightweight way to write formatted text using plain characters. It was created by John Gruber in 2004 so that people could write readable text that converts cleanly to HTML. A line starting with a hash becomes a heading, words between asterisks become bold, and a dash at the start of a line makes a bullet list.
It is used by GitHub for README files and comments, by documentation sites, note-taking apps, static site generators, chat tools and many forums. Converting Markdown to HTML lets you publish that text on a web page or in a CMS or email.
How to convert Markdown to HTML
- Type or paste Markdown into the left box. A sample is shown to get you started.
- Watch the preview update on the right as you type.
- Copy the HTML code, or download it as a complete .html file.
- Paste the HTML into your page, template or CMS.
Supported syntax
- Headings with # to ###### and paragraphs separated by blank lines.
- Bold with double asterisks, italic with single asterisks or underscores and strikethrough with double tildes.
- Inline code with backticks and fenced code blocks with three backticks, with an optional language name.
- Links and images in the form [text](url) and .
- Bulleted lists, numbered lists, block quotes, horizontal rules and simple tables with pipes.
Markdown flavors
There is no single Markdown standard. The original description was loose, so several variants exist. CommonMark is a strict specification that many tools follow, and GitHub Flavored Markdown adds tables, task lists and strikethrough. This converter covers the most common features of CommonMark and GitHub style, so everyday documents convert correctly, but unusual extensions may not be supported.
Safety and clean output
Raw HTML typed inside the Markdown is escaped, so it appears as text and cannot run scripts, and links that start with javascript: are neutralized. The HTML that comes out is plain and semantic, using h1 to h6, p, ul, ol, blockquote, pre, code and table tags, so you can style it with your own CSS.
Example: from README to web page
Many developers write documentation in Markdown because it is easy to edit and review. To publish a README as a web page, paste it here, copy the HTML and place it inside your page template. Headings, lists and code blocks keep their structure, and you can style them with your own CSS. The same method works for blog posts that you draft in a notes app and then publish in a CMS that accepts HTML.
Markdown syntax quick reference
| Markdown | Result |
|---|---|
| # Heading | Heading level 1 |
| **bold** | Bold text |
| *italic* | Italic text |
| [link](https://example.com) | A link |
| - item | Bullet list item |
| 1. item | Numbered list item |
| `code` | Inline code |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert Markdown to HTML?
Paste the Markdown into the left box. The HTML code appears below and updates as you type.
Does it support tables?
Yes. Pipe-style tables with a header separator row are converted to HTML tables.
Can I use raw HTML inside Markdown?
It is shown as text in this tool for safety, not rendered.
What is the difference between Markdown and HTML?
Markdown is a shorthand for writing structure that converts to HTML, which browsers display.
Which Markdown flavor does it use?
The common features of CommonMark and GitHub Flavored Markdown.
Can I download the result?
Yes. You can copy the HTML or download a complete .html file.
Is my text uploaded?
No. Everything runs in your browser.