What Is Markdown?
Markdown is a lightweight markup language created by John Gruber in 2004. It converts plain text to HTML using simple, readable syntax. It is used for README files, documentation, blog posts, technical writing, and note-taking apps like Notion and Obsidian.
Basic Syntax
Headers use # symbols. Bold uses **double asterisks**. Italic uses *single asterisks*. Links use [text](url) syntax. Images use . Blockquotes use >. Code uses backticks.
Extended Syntax
GitHub Flavored Markdown (GFM) adds tables, task lists, strikethrough, and syntax-highlighted code blocks. Tables use pipe characters: | Column 1 | Column 2 |. Task lists use - [x] for checked items.
Converting Markdown
Our Markdown Converter tool converts between Markdown and HTML bidirectionally. It supports live preview so you can see exactly how your formatted text will appear when rendered.
Try the free tools mentioned in this article: Markdown Converter — no signup required.
