Markdown Previewer & Editor

Markdown is a lightweight markup language designed to be human-readable in its raw form, while HTML is more verbose and harder to read without rendering. Markdown files are easier to write and maintain, but HTML offers more control over styling and layout. Markdown is typically converted to HTML for display on websites. Think of Markdown as a simpler, more readable way to write content that will eventually become HTML.

GitHub-flavored Markdown is a variant of Markdown that adds several useful features beyond the original specification. It includes support for tables, task lists (checkboxes), strikethrough text, automatic URL linking, code fencing with syntax highlighting, and emoji shortcodes. GFM is widely used not just on GitHub, but across many platforms and tools because it provides practical features that the original Markdown specification lacked.

Yes! Most Markdown parsers allow you to include raw HTML directly in your Markdown files. This is useful when you need more control over formatting or want to use HTML elements that don't have Markdown equivalents (like centered text, custom colors, or complex tables). However, mixing too much HTML can defeat the purpose of using Markdown in the first place, which is simplicity and readability. Use HTML sparingly when Markdown's syntax can't achieve what you need.

Absolutely. All Markdown parsing and HTML rendering happen entirely in your browser using JavaScript. No data is ever sent to our servers or any third party. You can even use this tool offline once the page is loaded. Your content stays private and secure on your device. We don't track, store, or have access to anything you write in the editor.

This tool allows you to copy the rendered HTML and the raw Markdown text. You can use the HTML output to paste into websites, email clients, or content management systems. The Markdown text can be saved to .md files for use in static site generators, GitHub repositories, or note-taking apps. For conversion to formats like PDF, Word, or LaTeX, you'd need to use additional tools like Pandoc.

Yes! When you create code blocks using triple backticks followed by a language name (e.g., ```javascript), the preview will show syntax-highlighted code. This works for dozens of programming languages including JavaScript, Python, Java, C++, HTML, CSS, and many more. Syntax highlighting makes code examples easier to read and more professional-looking in documentation.

Common issues include: forgetting blank lines before lists or code blocks, incorrect indentation, mixing tabs and spaces, or using syntax that's specific to certain Markdown flavors. Make sure there's a blank line before and after lists, blockquotes, and code blocks. For lists, items should start at the beginning of a line or be properly indented. Check that code blocks use three backticks on their own lines. If you're copying from another editor, invisible characters might cause problems.

Yes, tables are supported in GitHub-flavored Markdown (GFM). Create tables using pipes (|) to separate columns and hyphens (-) for the header row. For example: | Header 1 | Header 2 | | --------- | --------- | | Cell 1 | Cell 2 |. You can align columns using colons in the separator row: :--- for left, :---: for center, and ---: for right alignment. While table syntax can be a bit tedious to write by hand, many editors offer table generators to make it easier.

The best way to learn Markdown is by using it! Start with the basics: headings, bold, italic, and links. Then gradually add more features like lists, code blocks, and images as you need them. This interactive editor is perfect for practice—just start typing and see the results instantly. Keep a Markdown cheat sheet handy for reference. Within a few hours of use, you'll find the syntax becomes second nature. Most people can master the commonly-used Markdown features in an afternoon.

In GitHub-flavored Markdown, you can use emoji shortcodes like :smile:, :heart:, or :rocket: which render as emoji characters. You can also paste emoji directly into your Markdown text, and they'll appear in the output. This tool supports both methods. Emoji are great for adding visual interest to documentation, README files, and informal content. A full list of GitHub emoji codes is available in the GitHub emoji cheat sheet.