What is Markdown?
A plain-English definition, and the tools that work with it.
Markdown is a lightweight way to format plain text using simple symbols (# for headings, * for emphasis, - for lists) that convert to clean HTML. It lets you write formatted documents fast without a word processor, which is why READMEs, notes and docs use it.
- You write in plain text with a few symbols, and it renders as formatted HTML. No toolbar needed.
- It's portable and future-proof: a Markdown file is readable as-is and converts to HTML, PDF or slides.
- Different flavours add tables, task lists and more, but the core syntax is universal.
Tools for Markdown
Free, private and in your browser. No sign-up.
Markdown Preview
Write GitHub-Flavoured Markdown and see a live, sanitised HTML preview side-by-side, with a formatting toolbar, tables, task lists, and copy-as-HTML. Nothing is uploaded.
Markdown to PDF
Write or paste Markdown and export a clean, printable PDF in your browser. Live GitHub-flavoured preview with headings, tables, code blocks and task lists, page size, margins and theme included. Nothing is uploaded.
HTML to PDF
Paste or drop HTML and export a clean, print-ready PDF in your browser. Live sandboxed preview renders your markup exactly as-is with inline CSS, then one click paginates it to A4 or US Letter. Nothing is uploaded and no external assets are fetched.
Text to PDF
Paste text or drop a.txt file and export a clean, print-ready PDF with real selectable, searchable text. Pick the font, size, margins and page size: A4 or US Letter. 100% in your browser, nothing uploaded.
Markdown problems we solve
Hit one of these? Here's the fix.
Frequently asked questions
Related terms
- PDFA PDF (Portable Document Format) is a file type that preserves a document's exact layout (fonts, images and formatting) so it looks identical on any device or printer. It's the standard for sharing finished documents like reports, contracts, invoices and resumes.
- DOCX (Word)DOCX is the standard Microsoft Word document format. It stores editable text, formatting, images and layout, and opens in Word, Google Docs and Pages. It's the format for documents you're still working on. Unlike PDF, which is for finished, fixed files.
Keep exploring
Problems we solve
Definitions
From the blog
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- How to Make an Image Smaller in KB Without Losing Quality
- The EPUB Format Explained: What It Is, How to Read It, and How to Convert It
Try Markdown Preview
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