Glossary Development

Markdown

Markdown is a lightweight way to write formatted text using plain-text symbols, such as # for headings and ** for bold, that converts to HTML.

Last reviewed: 2026-10-03

In more detail

Created by John Gruber in 2004, it is used for README files, documentation, forums and note apps because the source stays readable. Several flavours exist, such as GitHub Flavored Markdown, which add tables, task lists and strikethrough.

Try these tools

Markdown Previewer

Convert Markdown to HTML and HTML back to Markdown in real time with a live preview.

HTML to Markdown Converter

Paste HTML from a web page, CMS or email and get clean Markdown with headings, links, lists, code blocks and GitHub-flavoured tables.

In more detail

Try these tools

Markdown Previewer

HTML to Markdown Converter

See also