Markdown Formatter

Input Markdown

Formatted Markdown

Markdown Formatting Examples

Minified or messy Markdown is hard to read; formatting adds indentation and line breaks. Example:

API documentation

Minified input:

Input

Formatted output:

Output

Click Sample above to load more example data.

What Is a Markdown Formatter?

Markdown is a lightweight markup language for writing docs, READMEs, and web content. Inconsistent spacing, mixed line breaks, or messy lists make Markdown hard to read. A Markdown formatter normalizes indentation, list spacing, and structure so your document is clean and consistent. The CommonMark spec defines the syntax.

This tool parses your Markdown and reformats it. It runs entirely in your browser. Nothing is sent to a server. For converting to HTML, use Markdown to HTML. For validation, use the Markdown Validator.

How to Use This Tool

Paste or Upload

Copy your Markdown and paste it into the left editor. You can also click Upload to load a .md or .markdown file. The Sample button loads example data.

Check the Output

The right panel shows the formatted Markdown. Headings, lists, code blocks, and links are normalized. Invalid or ambiguous syntax may be preserved as-is.

Copy or Download

Use Copy or Download. For live preview, use the Markdown Editor. For a table of contents, use the Markdown TOC Generator.

When Markdown Formatting Helps

When editing READMEs on GitHub, documentation on GitHub Docs, or content from multiple authors, formatting normalizes style. Inconsistent list indentation or mixed heading styles make documents harder to maintain. Running Markdown through here gives you a clean baseline. See Markdown basic syntax for reference.

Content from CMS exports, copied-from-web text, or AI-generated Markdown often has messy spacing. Formatting it here improves readability before committing or publishing. For syntax reference, use the Markdown Cheat Sheet or Markdown Syntax.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my data private?

Yes. Formatting runs entirely in your browser. No data is sent to any server.

Does it support GitHub Flavored Markdown?

The formatter handles common Markdown. GFM extensions (tables, strikethrough, task lists) are typically preserved. For full GFM, check the output.

What about code blocks?

Fenced code blocks (triple backticks) and indented code blocks are preserved. Language identifiers are kept. Formatting focuses on structure, not code content.

Can I convert to HTML?

Yes. Use Markdown to HTML to convert the formatted output. The HTML will reflect the cleaned structure.

Does it change the meaning?

Formatting aims to preserve semantics. Whitespace and structure are normalized. Edge cases (e.g. ambiguous lists) may render differently—preview before publishing.