Markdown Cheat Sheet

Try Markdown

Cheat Sheet

What Is a Markdown Cheat Sheet?

Markdown is a plain-text format for structured documents. A cheat sheet is a quick reference for syntax: headings, lists, links, tables, code blocks, and more. The CommonMark spec and GitHub Flavored Markdown (GFM) define the syntax used in READMEs, docs, and wikis.

This tool shows a ready-to-copy cheat sheet in the right panel. Use the left editor to try syntax and see how it renders. Copy or download the cheat sheet for offline use. For generating tables from CSV, use Markdown Table Generator.

How to Use This Tool

Review the Cheat Sheet

The right panel shows headings, emphasis, lists, links, images, blockquotes, code, tables, task lists, and horizontal rules. Each example uses standard CommonMark and GFM syntax.

Try Markdown in the Editor

Paste or type Markdown in the left editor. Use Sample to load example content. Experiment with bold, italic, lists, and tables. For formatting existing Markdown, use Markdown Formatter.

Copy or Download

Copy the cheat sheet to your clipboard or download it as a .md file. For converting Markdown to HTML, use Markdown to HTML. For a TOC from headings, use the Markdown TOC Generator.

Quick Reference

Essential Markdown syntax

Markdown:

# Heading 1
## Heading 2

**bold** and *italic* and `code`

- List item 1
- List item 2

[Link text](https://example.com)

> Blockquote

Renders as:

Large heading
Medium heading

Bold text, italic text, and inline code

Bulleted list with two items

Clickable hyperlink

Indented block quote

Where a Cheat Sheet Helps

New Markdown users need a quick reference. The Markdown Guide and GitHub docs offer tutorials; a cheat sheet complements them with copy-paste examples. Tables, task lists, and fenced code blocks are common in READMEs and documentation.

For linting Markdown for style issues, use Markdown Linter. For validating syntax, use Markdown Validator. For converting HTML to Markdown, use HTML to Markdown.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Markdown and HTML?

Markdown is a lightweight markup language that converts to HTML. Instead of writing <strong>bold</strong> you write **bold**. Markdown is faster to write and easier to read as plain text. It's widely used for documentation, README files, and content writing.

Is Markdown the same everywhere?

Not exactly. The original Markdown spec leaves some ambiguities, so different platforms implement slight variations. CommonMark is the standardized spec most tools follow. GitHub Flavored Markdown (GFM) adds extras like task lists and tables.

How do I add a line break in Markdown?

End a line with two or more spaces before pressing Enter, or use a backslash \ at the end of the line. Some parsers also treat a blank line between paragraphs as a break. Behavior varies slightly between Markdown flavors.

Can I use HTML inside Markdown?

Yes — most Markdown parsers allow raw HTML inline. You can use <br>, <div>, <span>, and most other HTML tags directly in Markdown files. This is useful for centering content or adding custom styling.

Is my data private?

Yes. Everything runs in your browser. No content is sent to any server.