Skip to content
← Back to editor

What is Markdown?

Markdown is a lightweight markup language that lets you write formatted content using plain text. Created by John Gruber in 2004, it was designed to be as readable as possible in its raw form — no angle brackets, no complex syntax, just intuitive characters like # for headings and ** for bold text.

Its simplicity makes it incredibly portable. Markdown files are just plain text, so they work everywhere — any editor, any operating system, any version control system. Today, Markdown is the de facto standard for documentation, README files, blogs, notes, and technical writing across platforms like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and countless static site generators.

Whether you are drafting a quick note or writing a full technical specification, Markdown keeps you focused on content instead of formatting. And with this tool, you can turn that content into a polished PDF in seconds.


Markdown Cheatsheet

A quick reference for the most common Markdown syntax. Write it on the left, see it rendered on the right, and export to PDF when you are ready.

Headings

Syntax Result
# Heading 1 Largest heading (H1)
## Heading 2 Second-level heading (H2)
### Heading 3 Third-level heading (H3)
#### Heading 4 Fourth-level heading (H4)
##### Heading 5 Fifth-level heading (H5)
###### Heading 6 Smallest heading (H6)

Text Formatting

Syntax Result
**bold text** bold text
*italic text* italic text
~~strikethrough~~ strikethrough
***bold and italic*** bold and italic

Links & Images

Syntax Description
[link text](https://example.com) Inline hyperlink
![alt text](image-url.jpg) Embedded image with alt text

Lists

Syntax Description
- Item Unordered list item (dash)
* Item Unordered list item (asterisk)
+ Item Unordered list item (plus)
1. First item Ordered list item
2. Second item Ordered list continues sequentially
  - Nested item Indent with 2 spaces to nest inside a parent item

Blockquotes

Syntax Description
> Quote text Single-level blockquote
>> Nested quote Nested blockquote (quote within a quote)

Code

Syntax Description
`inline code` Inline code span with monospace font
```language Opens a fenced code block (replace language with js, python, etc.)
``` Closes the fenced code block

Tables

Syntax Description
| Header | Header | Table header row
| ------ | ------ | Separator row (required, defines columns)
| Cell | Cell | Table data row

Horizontal Rule

Syntax Description
--- Horizontal rule (three dashes)
*** Horizontal rule (three asterisks)
___ Horizontal rule (three underscores)

Task Lists

Syntax Description
- [ ] Unchecked task Unchecked checkbox item
- [x] Completed task Checked checkbox item

Technologies Used


Privacy

This tool processes everything entirely in your browser. Your Markdown content is never sent to any server — it stays on your device at all times. We do not use cookies, collect personal data, or track your activity. The only data stored locally is your theme preference (light, dark, or system) via localStorage.