What Is Markdown?
Markdown is a plain-text format for structured documents. A few readable markers create headings, emphasis, lists, links, quotes, and code without requiring HTML tags while you write. That makes a Markdown source file useful both as readable text and as input for documentation sites, README files, knowledge bases, and publishing systems.
This editor converts common Markdown and GitHub-style extensions into HTML as you type. It supports headings, paragraphs, emphasis, links, images, blockquotes, ordered and unordered lists, task lists, fenced code blocks, horizontal rules, strikethrough, and tables. It does not claim complete CommonMark or GFM conformance, so check platform-specific documents in their final renderer before publishing.
Markdown vs HTML
| Feature | Markdown | HTML |
|---|---|---|
| Source readability | Readable as plain text | Uses explicit tags |
| Authoring speed | Fast for prose and docs | More verbose |
| Styling control | Depends on the renderer | Direct classes, attributes, and structure |
| Browser display | Requires conversion | Rendered natively |
| Typical use | READMEs, docs, notes, articles | Web pages and application templates |
How to Convert Markdown to HTML
- Step 1
Write or paste
Enter Markdown directly or begin with a README, blog, API, changelog, or meeting-notes template.
- Step 2
Review the output
Use Preview for the rendered result, HTML for markup, and Stats for document counts.
- Step 3
Copy or export
Copy the generated HTML or download a complete HTML page, the Markdown source, or extracted plain text.
Preview Safety and Privacy
Raw HTML in the Markdown source is displayed as text instead of being executed. Generated links allow common web, email, telephone, anchor, and relative destinations; unsafe URL schemes such as javascript: are not made clickable. That protects the live preview from common pasted-content hazards.
Conversion happens locally. The current draft is stored in this browser's local storage so it can be restored after a refresh; use Clear or clear the site's browser data to remove it. If you later modify the exported HTML or combine it with untrusted HTML elsewhere, sanitize that content in the destination application.
Continue Your Developer Workflow
Measure a draft with the Word Counter, compare two versions with the Text Compare & Diff Checker, format embedded data using the JSON Formatter & Validator, or safely prepare a destination with the URL Encoder & Decoder.
Markdown Specifications and Security References
Review the CommonMark specification for core parsing rules and the GitHub Flavored Markdown specification for tables, task lists, strikethrough, and autolinks. MDN explains why untrusted HTML and unsafe URL schemes require careful handling in its cross-site scripting guidance . External references open in a new tab.