Markdown is a lightweight syntax for formatting plain text that renders as clean HTML — used across GitHub, docs, notes apps, and READMEs. This cheat sheet groups Markdown syntax by task so you can find the exact formatting you need in seconds.
Each row shows the syntax you type and what it produces. Note that some features (task lists, tables, strikethrough) come from GitHub-Flavored Markdown. Need to convert Markdown to HTML? Try the <a href="/tools/markdown-converter">Markdown to HTML converter</a>.
Headings
| Syntax | What it does |
|---|
# Heading 1 | Top-level heading (largest). |
## Heading 2 | Second-level heading. |
### Heading 3 | Third-level heading. |
###### Heading 6 | Smallest heading level. |
Emphasis
| Syntax | What it does |
|---|
*italic* or _italic_ | Render text in italics. |
**bold** or __bold__ | Render text in bold. |
***bold italic*** | Bold and italic together. |
~~strikethrough~~ | Cross out text. |
`inline code` | Render inline code with a monospace font. |
Lists
| Syntax | What it does |
|---|
- item (or * / +) | Unordered (bulleted) list item. |
1. item | Ordered (numbered) list item. |
- nested item | Indent two spaces to nest a list. |
- [ ] task / - [x] done | Task list checkbox (GitHub-flavored). |
Links & Images
| Syntax | What it does |
|---|
[text](https://url.com) | Inline link. |
[text](url "title") | Link with a hover title. |
 | Inline image. |
[text][ref] … [ref]: url | Reference-style link. |
<https://url.com> | Autolink a bare URL. |
Code
| Syntax | What it does |
|---|
`code` | Inline code span. |
```lang \n code \n ``` | Fenced code block with syntax highlighting. |
four-space indent | Indented code block (alternative to fences). |
Blocks & Structure
| Syntax | What it does |
|---|
> quote | Blockquote. |
> > nested quote | Nested blockquote. |
--- or *** or ___ | Horizontal rule (divider). |
line ends with two spaces | Force a line break within a paragraph. |
Tables
| Syntax | What it does |
|---|
| A | B | | Table header row. |
| --- | --- | | Separator row that defines columns. |
| :-- | :-: | --: | | Left, center, and right column alignment. |
| a | b | | A table data row. |
Markdown Syntax Cheat Sheet FAQs
How do I create a link in Markdown?
Write [link text](https://example.com). To add a tooltip, put a title in quotes after the URL: [text](url "title"). To link a bare URL, wrap it in angle brackets: <https://example.com>.
How do I add an image in Markdown?
Use the same syntax as a link with a leading exclamation mark: . The alt text describes the image for screen readers and shows if the image fails to load.
How do I write a code block in Markdown?
For inline code, wrap text in backticks: `code`. For a multi-line block, use three backticks on their own lines, and add a language after the opening fence (e.g. ```js) for syntax highlighting.
How do I make a table in Markdown?
Use pipes to separate columns and a row of dashes to mark the header: a header row, then | --- | --- |, then data rows. Add colons in the separator (:--, :-:, --:) to left-, center-, or right-align columns.
How do I bold or italicize text?
Wrap text in one asterisk for italics (*text*), two for bold (**text**), and three for both (***text***). Underscores work the same way as asterisks.
How do I force a line break in Markdown?
End a line with two trailing spaces, or leave a blank line to start a new paragraph. Some editors also accept a backslash at the end of the line for a hard break.
What is the difference between Markdown and GitHub-Flavored Markdown?
GitHub-Flavored Markdown (GFM) extends standard Markdown with tables, task lists (- [ ]), strikethrough (~~text~~), and automatic URL linking. Most modern platforms support GFM.
