Markdown Syntax Cheat Sheet
Markdown turns plain-text punctuation into formatted documents. Everything below works in GitHub, most editors, and this site's converter.
Syntax
| You type | You get |
|---|---|
| # H1 · ## H2 · ### H3 | Headings (descending size) |
| **bold** · *italic* · ~~strike~~ | bold · italic · strikethrough |
| [text](https://example.com) | A hyperlink |
|  | An image |
| `code` | Inline code |
| ```js\ncode block\n``` | Fenced code block with language hint |
| > quoted text | Blockquote |
| - item · * item · 1. item | Unordered / ordered lists |
| --- or *** | Horizontal rule |
| | a | b |\n|---|---|\n| 1 | 2 | | A table |
| - [ ] task · - [x] done | Task list (GitHub flavored) |
| line ends with two spaces ⏎ | Hard line break |
FAQ
Why is my line break ignored?
A single newline renders as a space. End the line with two spaces, use a backslash, or leave a blank line for a new paragraph.
How do I nest lists?
Indent the nested list by 2–4 spaces under the parent item. Mixing tabs and spaces breaks this in some renderers — pick spaces.
Escaping special characters?
Prefix with a backslash: \*not italic\* renders the asterisks literally.
Try it instead of memorizing it
Convert it live in the Markdown Converter