What Is Markdown?
Markdown is a lightweight markup language created by John Gruber in 2004. It uses plain text formatting syntax (like # for headings, ** for bold, - for lists) that converts to HTML. The goal is readability: a Markdown file should be easy to read even without rendering.
Today Markdown is everywhere: GitHub READMEs, documentation sites (Docusaurus, MkDocs), note-taking apps (Obsidian, Notion), static site generators (Hugo, Jekyll), and messaging platforms (Slack, Discord). Most developers encounter it daily.
This editor supports CommonMark 0.31 (the standardized spec) plus GitHub Flavored Markdown (GFM) extensions: tables, task lists, strikethrough, and fenced code blocks with syntax highlighting. The live preview updates as you type, so you can see exactly how your content will render.
When You Need a Markdown Editor
Writing GitHub README files
Draft your project README with live preview to ensure headings, code blocks, badges, and links render correctly before pushing to your repository.
Creating documentation
Write technical docs, API guides, or wiki pages in Markdown. See the formatted output instantly without running a build step or deploying to a docs site.
Drafting blog posts and articles
Many static site generators and CMS platforms use Markdown for content. Write your posts here with live preview, then copy the Markdown into your publishing workflow.
Markdown Writing Tips
Use headings hierarchically
Start with a single # (H1) for the title, then use ## (H2) for major sections, ### (H3) for subsections. Don't skip levels. Going from H1 to H3 hurts both readability and accessibility.
Add alt text to images
Use  instead of . Alt text helps screen readers and displays when images fail to load. Keep it concise but descriptive.
Use fenced code blocks with language hints
Write ```javascript instead of just ``` to enable syntax highlighting. This makes code examples much easier to read in rendered output.
Limitations
- Supports GitHub Flavored Markdown (GFM). Extensions like footnotes, definition lists, or custom containers may not render correctly.
- Cannot import from or export to Word (.docx), Google Docs, or other rich text formats.
- No file system access — cannot save directly to disk. You must manually copy/paste or download the content.
- Preview rendering may differ slightly from your target platform (GitHub, GitLab, Notion) due to parser differences.
Features
- Live preview that updates as you type
- GitHub Flavored Markdown (GFM) support: tables, task lists, strikethrough
- Syntax highlighting for code blocks
- Export to HTML or copy rendered output
- Your data stays in the browser. Nothing sent to any server
- Free, no signup required
Frequently Asked Questions
What Markdown syntax is supported?
The editor supports CommonMark plus GitHub Flavored Markdown (GFM) extensions: tables, task lists (- [ ]), strikethrough (~~text~~), fenced code blocks with language-specific syntax highlighting, and autolinked URLs.
Can I export my Markdown as HTML?
Yes. You can copy the rendered HTML output directly. This is useful when you need to paste formatted content into email clients, CMS editors, or other platforms that accept HTML.
Is my content saved?
The editor runs entirely in your browser. Your content is not sent to any server or stored remotely. You can use your browser's local storage to persist drafts between sessions, but clearing browser data will remove them.
Does it support LaTeX or math equations?
The editor focuses on standard Markdown and GFM. For math equations, you would need to use a specialized Markdown processor that supports LaTeX syntax (like KaTeX or MathJax).
Can I use this for GitHub README files?
Absolutely. The GFM support means what you see in the preview will match how GitHub renders your README. Write and preview here, then paste into your .md file.
Last reviewed:
Your Privacy
All editing and preview rendering happens entirely in your browser. No data is uploaded to any server. Your documents never leave your device.
In-Depth Guide
Markdown Syntax Guide: The Complete Reference for 2026
Everything you need to write Markdown fluently: from basic formatting to GitHub Flavored Markdown extensions, with real examples and compatibility pitfalls.
Read guideTips & Related Workflows
- Compare two versions of your Markdown document with the Diff Checker.
- Count words and estimate reading time for your article with the Word Counter.
- Convert heading capitalization between styles with the Case Converter.
- Encode special characters in Markdown links with the URL Encoder/Decoder.