All Tools VerseMarkdown is a lightweight way to format plain text that converts cleanly to HTML. It powers READMEs, docs, chat apps, and static sites. This cheat sheet covers the syntax you use most, with what each one produces.
Headings
| Syntax | What it does |
|---|---|
# Heading 1 |
Largest heading (H1) |
## Heading 2 |
Second-level heading |
### Heading 3 |
Third-level heading |
Emphasis
| Syntax | What it does |
|---|---|
*italic* or _italic_ |
Italic text |
**bold** or __bold__ |
Bold text |
***bold italic*** |
Bold and italic |
~~strikethrough~~ |
Struck-through text |
Lists
| Syntax | What it does |
|---|---|
- item |
Bulleted list item (also * or +) |
1. item |
Numbered list item |
- nested |
Indent two spaces to nest |
- [ ] task |
Unchecked task; use [x] for done |
Links & images
| Syntax | What it does |
|---|---|
[text](https://url) |
A link |
[text](url "title") |
A link with a hover title |
 |
An image |
<https://url> |
An automatic link |
Code
| Syntax | What it does |
|---|---|
`inline code` |
Inline code span |
``` |
A fenced code block |
```js |
Fenced block with language for highlighting |
Quotes, rules & tables
| Syntax | What it does |
|---|---|
> quote |
A blockquote |
--- |
A horizontal rule |
| A | B | |
A table header row |
| --- | --- | |
The separator row under the header |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Markdown?
It is a plain-text formatting syntax that converts to HTML, designed to be easy to read and write without tags.
Are there different versions of Markdown?
Yes. The original is by John Gruber, and popular variants like GitHub Flavored Markdown add tables, task lists, and strikethrough.
How do I write a code block?
Wrap the code in three backticks on their own lines. Add a language name after the opening backticks for syntax highlighting.
How do I make a table?
Use pipes to separate columns and a row of dashes under the header. Spacing does not have to be exact.
Turn Markdown into a polished PDF with our free Markdown to PDF converter.