What is Markdown?
Markdown is a lightweight markup language created by John Gruber that allows you to write formatted text using plain text syntax. It is widely used for README files, documentation, blog posts, forums, and messaging platforms. This live preview editor lets you write Markdown and instantly see the rendered HTML output side by side, making it easy to format documents without guessing how they will look.
How to Use the Markdown Editor
- Type or paste your Markdown text into the left editor panel.
- Watch the rendered HTML preview update in real-time on the right panel.
- Use the toolbar buttons for quick formatting: bold, italic, links, headings, lists, and more.
- Click the Sample button to load example Markdown with various syntax elements.
- Use Copy HTML to get the rendered output, or Copy Markdown to copy the source.
- Toggle fullscreen mode for the editor or preview panel when you need more space.
Supported Markdown Syntax
Text Formatting
- Headings: # H1 through ###### H6
- Bold: **text** or __text__
- Italic: *text* or _text_
- Strikethrough: ~~text~~
- Inline code: `code`
Block Elements
- Code blocks with triple backticks
- Blockquotes with >
- Ordered and unordered lists
- Task lists with checkboxes
- Horizontal rules (---)
Links & Media
- Links: [text](url)
- Images: 
Tables
- Pipe-separated columns
- Header separator row
- Automatic alignment
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my content sent to a server?
No. All Markdown parsing and HTML rendering happens entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Your content is never transmitted to any external server.
Can I use GitHub Flavored Markdown (GFM)?
Yes. This tool supports common GFM features including tables, task lists with checkboxes, strikethrough text, and fenced code blocks with backticks.
How do I create a table?
Use pipe characters to separate columns. The first row is the header, followed by a separator row with dashes, then data rows. Example: | Name | Age | then | --- | --- | then | Alice | 30 |
How do I add syntax-highlighted code blocks?
Wrap your code with triple backticks. You can optionally specify the language after the opening backticks, like ```javascript or ```python. The code will be displayed in a dark-themed block.
Can I download the rendered output?
You can use the Copy HTML button to copy the rendered HTML to your clipboard, then paste it into any HTML file or editor. You can also copy the raw Markdown source.