Markdown cheat sheet.
A comprehensive, interactive reference for basic and extended Markdown syntax. Learn markdown tables, bold styling, images, checklists, code blocks, and links with copy-paste templates.
Headings
Create document headings by adding one to six # symbols before your text. The number of hashes matches the level of heading.
# Heading Level 1
## Heading Level 2
### Heading Level 3
#### Heading Level 4
##### Heading Level 5
###### Heading Level 6Heading Level 1
Heading Level 2
Heading Level 3
Heading Level 4
Heading Level 5
Heading Level 6
Markdown Bold, Italic & Strikethrough
Format text with markdown bold, italic, bold-italic, or strikethrough using asterisks, underscores, or tildes.
This text is *italicized*.
This text is _italicized_ as well.
This text is **bolded**.
This text is __bolded__ as well.
This text is ***bold and italicized***.
This text is ~~strikethrough~~.This text is italicized.
This text is italicized as well.
This text is bolded.
This text is bolded as well.
This text is bold and italicized.
This text is strikethrough.
Markdown Bullet List, Numbered List & Checkbox
Organize hierarchies using ordered lists, bullet lists, or interactive task checkboxes.
- Unordered list item 1
- Unordered list item 2
- Indented nested item
1. Ordered list item 1
2. Ordered list item 2
- [x] Completed task item
- [ ] Incomplete task item- Unordered list item 1
- Unordered list item 2
- Indented nested item
- Ordered list item 1
- Ordered list item 2
- Completed task item
- Incomplete task item
Markdown Link & Image Syntax
Create anchors and inline images. Ensure absolute paths or public URLs are loaded correctly in your anchors.
Format links like:
[TheMarkdowner](/)
Format images like:
Format links like: TheMarkdowner
Format images like:
/favicon.svg Markdown Code Block & Inline Code
Highlight code segments inline using single backticks, or write full multi-line code blocks using three backticks with language hints.
Use inline `const value = true` variables.
Fenced code block:
\`\`\`javascript
const greeting = "Hello, developer!";
console.log(greeting);
\`\`\`Use inline const value = true variables.
const greeting = "Hello, developer!";
console.log(greeting);Markdown Table Generator & Syntax
Construct structured headers, divide them with hyphens, and apply column alignment rules using colons.
| Parameter | Type | Default |
| :--- | :---: | ---: |
| format | string | "MD" |
| local | boolean | true |
| threads | number | 4 || Parameter | Type | Default |
|---|---|---|
| format | string | "MD" |
| local | boolean | true |
| threads | number | 4 |
Markdown Quote (Blockquote)
Incorporate quoted texts and reference snippets using the greater-than symbol.
> This is a blockquote element.
>
> > This is nested inside the parent quote.This is a blockquote element.
This is nested inside the parent quote.
Advanced Markdown (Horizontal Lines & Escapes)
Apply horizontal dividers using asterisks, utilize escape operators, and leverage inline HTML tags.
Create dividers with asterisks:
***
Escape characters with backslash:
\* Literal asterisk (not bullet)
Embed keyboard labels:
Cmd + OptionCreate dividers with asterisks:
Escape characters with backslash:
* Literal asterisk (not bullet)
Embed keyboard labels:
Cmd + Option
Markdown Formatting FAQ
What is Markdown and what does it mean?
Markdown is a lightweight markup language that uses plain text formatting syntax. Created by John Gruber in 2004, it is designed to be easy-to-read and easy-to-write in its raw form. Markdown formatting translates plain-text markup (like headings, bold, lists, and tables) directly into HTML or other formats for web publishing.
What is a Markdown file (.md)?
A Markdown file is a plain text file that contains Markdown formatting syntax and uses the .md or .markdown file extension. Because it is saved as standard text, a Markdown file can be opened and edited in any basic text editor, but it is best viewed using a Markdown parser or editor that renders the formatting visually.
What is Markdown formatting (or Markdown format)?
Markdown formatting refers to the simple plain-text syntax used to style documents. Key formatting styles include headers (# Header), bolding (**bold**), italics (*italics*), lists (- item), links ([text](url)), and tables. This format keeps text clean and free from bulky HTML tags.
How do you use Markdown?
To use Markdown, you write normal plain text and apply specific punctuation marks to add structure and styling. For example, add # before a line for an H1 heading, wrap text in ** for bold, or use dashes - for lists. You can author Markdown in any text editor, or use interactive tools like TheMarkdowner's Markdown Editor to see your styled content rendered in real-time.
How do you bold text in Markdown?
To bold text in Markdown, wrap the words in double asterisks **bold** or double underscores __bold__. For example, writing **this text is bold** or __this text is bold__ will render as this text is bold in your output document.
How do you underline text in Markdown?
Standard Markdown does not have a native underline syntax because underlines are traditionally reserved for active links on web pages. However, you can achieve an underline by using the HTML underline tag <u> inside your text, like this: <u>underlined text</u>. Most Markdown parsers will render this correctly.
How do you make or create a table in Markdown?
To create a table in Markdown, use vertical pipes | to separate columns, and a row of hyphens - to divide the header from the data cells. For example:
| Header 1 | Header 2 |
| -------- | -------- |
| Cell A | Cell B |For complex or messy tables, paste your data into TheMarkdowner's Markdown Editor, which will align column spacing automatically.
How do you view and preview Markdown files in VS Code?
To view a Markdown preview in Visual Studio Code (VS Code), open your .md file, then click the Open Preview button in the editor tab bar (icon showing a split window with a magnifying glass) or press Ctrl + Shift + V (Cmd + Shift + V on macOS). This opens a live rendered view of your document side-by-side with the editor.
Do I need to create an account?
No. There are no accounts, no subscriptions, and no paywalls. You can convert and edit as many files as you like completely free.