What Is a Markdown Preview Tool?
A Markdown preview tool renders Markdown syntax into formatted HTML in real time. Markdown is a lightweight markup language that lets you write content using plain text formatting that converts to structurally valid HTML for documents, README files, and web content.
How to Use This Markdown Preview
- Type or paste Markdown text in the input area.
- The preview updates automatically as you type.
- Copy the rendered HTML or use the formatted preview.
Key Concepts
Markdown uses simple conventions: # for headings, ** for bold, * for italic, - for lists, and [text](url) for links. Code blocks use triple backticks. Tables use pipes (|) and dashes (-). The syntax was designed to be readable as-is while converting cleanly to HTML. CommonMark is the standardized specification used by most modern parsers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Markdown flavor does this tool support?
This tool supports CommonMark with GitHub Flavored Markdown (GFM) extensions including tables, task lists, strikethrough, and autolinked URLs.
Can I use HTML inside Markdown?
Yes. Most Markdown parsers allow inline HTML. You can mix HTML tags with Markdown syntax, though the behavior varies by parser implementation.
What is the difference between Markdown and rich text?
Markdown is plain text with formatting conventions, stored as .md files. Rich text (like Word documents) embeds formatting data in binary or XML. Markdown is version-control friendly and platform-independent.