Markdown Basics
Here are some of the most common Markdown syntax elements to get you started:
Bold
**Bold Text**
Bold Text
Italic
*Italic Text*
Italic Text
Underline (Not standard Markdown, often requires HTML)
<u>Underlined Text</u>
Underlined Text
Headers
# Heading 1
## Heading 2
### Heading 3
Heading 1
Heading 2
Heading 3
Unordered List
- Item 1
- Item 2
- Sub-item
- Item 1
- Item 2
- Sub-item
Ordered List
1. First Item
2. Second Item
3. Third Item
- First Item
- Second Item
- Third Item
Extended Syntax
These advanced features go beyond basic Markdown. Most platforms support them — especially GitHub Flavored Markdown (GFM).
Tables
| Header 1 | Header 2 | Header 3 |
|----------|:---------|--------:|
| Left | Center | Right |
| Cell | Cell | Cell |
| Header 1 | Header 2 | Header 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Left | Center | Right |
| Cell | Cell | Cell |
Task Lists
- [x] Completed task
- [ ] Unfinished task
- [ ] Another task
- Completed task
- Unfinished task
- Another task
Fenced Code Blocks
```javascript
function greet(name) {
return `Hello, ${name}!`;
}
```
function greet(name) {
return `Hello, ${name}!`;
}
Strikethrough
~~Mistaken text~~
Mistaken text
Footnotes
Here is a sentence with a footnote[^1].
[^1]: This is the footnote text.
Here is a sentence with a footnote[1].
[1] This is the footnote text.
Definition Lists
Term
: Definition of the term.
Another Term
: Another definition.
- Term
- Definition of the term.
- Another Term
- Another definition.
Smart Punctuation
She said "Hello" -- world... → "Hello" — world…
She said "Hello" — world…
Markdown Tools
Discover curated tools and editors for working with Markdown every day.
Typora
A minimal Markdown editor with live preview, inline math, and diagram support. Exports to PDF, HTML, Word, and more.
Visit Typora →Obsidian
A powerful knowledge base that uses Markdown natively. Links, backlinks, graphs, and plugins — built for people who think in connections.
Visit Obsidian →Mark Text
Fast, open-source editor with a clean distraction-free interface. Supports tables, flowcharts, and GFM out of the box.
Visit Mark Text →Dillinger
Online Markdown editor with cloud sync to Dropbox, GitHub, and more. No install needed — great for quick edits from any device.
Visit Dillinger →Markdown Live Preview
Paste Markdown and get instant HTML rendering. Useful for testing syntax without opening any app.
Try it →