Markdown Preview
Write Markdown on the left, see the rendered output on the right.
Write Markdown on the left and see the rendered HTML preview update on the right in real time.
Markdown Preview
This is a live preview of your Markdown. Edit the text on the left to see changes instantly.
Features
- Headers (h1 through h6)
- Bold and italic text
- Links
- Inline
codeand code blocks - Ordered and unordered lists
- Blockquotes
- Horizontal rules
Code Example
function greet(name) {
return `Hello, ${name}!`;
}Blockquote
The best way to predict the future is to invent it.
-- Alan Kay
Ordered List
- First item
- Second item
- Third item
That is all. Start editing to see your own Markdown rendered.
About Markdown
Markdown is a lightweight markup language created by John Gruber in 2004. It lets you write formatted text using plain-text syntax that's easy to read even before rendering. A heading is just a line starting with #, bold text is wrapped in **asterisks**, and links use [text](url) syntax. This simplicity is why Markdown has become the default writing format for developers — it powers README files, documentation sites, blog platforms, note-taking apps, and forums across the web.
Core Syntax
The most common Markdown elements include headings (# H1 through###### H6), emphasis (*italic* and**bold**), links, images (), ordered and unordered lists, blockquotes (>), inline code with backticks, and fenced code blocks with triple backticks. Horizontal rules use three or more hyphens. These elements cover the vast majority of documentation needs and are universally supported by every Markdown processor.
GitHub Flavored Markdown
GitHub Flavored Markdown (GFM) extends standard Markdown with features developers rely on daily. Tables use pipe characters and hyphens to create columns and rows. Task lists let you add checkboxes with - [ ] and- [x] syntax. Fenced code blocks support language identifiers for syntax highlighting. Strikethrough text uses double tildes. Autolinked URLs become clickable without explicit link syntax. GFM has become the de facto standard for Markdown in software projects, and most modern editors and platforms support its extensions.
Markdown in Documentation and READMEs
Nearly every open-source project on GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket uses Markdown for its README and documentation. A well-written README with clear headings, code examples, and organized sections helps users understand what a project does, how to install it, and how to contribute. Documentation generators like MkDocs, Docusaurus, and VitePress use Markdown files as their source format, converting them into full documentation websites with navigation, search, and theming.
Markdown vs. Rich Text Editors
Unlike WYSIWYG editors, Markdown separates content from presentation. You write structure and meaning, not visual styling — making your content portable across platforms and renderers. Markdown files are plain text, so they work seamlessly with version control systems like Git. Diffs are clean and meaningful, merge conflicts are easy to resolve, and the entire history of a document is preserved. Rich text formats like DOCX or Google Docs are better for collaborative editing with non-technical users, but for developer documentation, technical writing, and content that lives alongside code, Markdown is the clear choice. DevDash's Markdown Preview lets you write and preview side by side, entirely in your browser.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Markdown?
Markdown is a lightweight markup language that converts plain text with simple syntax — like # for headings, * for emphasis, and - for lists — into formatted HTML. It's widely used for documentation, README files, blog posts, and technical writing because it's readable even without rendering.
What is GitHub Flavored Markdown?
GitHub Flavored Markdown (GFM) is GitHub's extension of standard Markdown. It adds support for tables, task lists with checkboxes, strikethrough text, fenced code blocks with syntax highlighting, and automatic linking of URLs. GFM has become a de facto standard used by many platforms beyond GitHub.
How do I create a table in Markdown?
Use pipes | to separate columns and dashes - to create the header separator row. Each row is a line with pipe-delimited values. Colons in the separator row control alignment: :--- for left, :---: for center, ---: for right. Tables must have a header row followed by the separator.
Can I use HTML inside Markdown?
Yes. Most Markdown renderers allow inline HTML for elements that Markdown doesn't natively support, such as details/summary collapsible sections, custom div wrappers, or embedded videos. Block-level HTML must be separated by blank lines. Note that some platforms restrict allowed HTML tags for security.
What is the difference between Markdown and rich text?
Markdown is plain text with formatting symbols that remains readable without rendering and works with any text editor. Rich text formats like DOCX store formatting as binary or XML data and require a specific editor to view properly. Markdown's plain-text nature makes it ideal for version control and developer workflows.