A Quick Reference to Markdown Syntax

Markdown is a plain-text formatting syntax that converts cleanly to HTML, which is why it powers README files, static site generators, documentation platforms, note apps and most developer-facing CMS tools. Because the source stays readable without rendering, it diffs well in version control and never locks your content inside a proprietary editor.

The core syntax is small. One to six hash characters create headings h1 through h6. Wrap text in double asterisks for bold and single asterisks for italic. Start a line with a hyphen for a bullet list or a number and period for an ordered list. A greater-than sign creates a blockquote, backticks wrap inline code, and triple backticks open a fenced code block. Links use [text](url) and images add a leading exclamation mark. Three hyphens on their own line render a horizontal rule.

Converting to HTML matters when you need to paste formatted content into an email builder, a CMS rich-text field or a landing page template that does not understand Markdown. Keep the exported markup semantic — real heading tags, real list elements — because that structure is what screen readers and search engine crawlers rely on to understand the page.

Frequently asked questions