Online Markdown editor with live preview

A Markdown editor with a live preview

This online Markdown editor puts your text on the left and the rendered result on the right, updated as you type. On a phone the two panes stack, and two tabs, “Write” and “Preview”, switch between them. It also works as a Markdown to HTML converter: the generated code can be copied in one click or downloaded as a complete web page.

Everything runs in your browser. Your text is never uploaded, and a draft is kept on your device, so if you close the tab your document is still there next time.

What is Markdown?

Markdown is a way of formatting text with ordinary keyboard characters. A hash sign in front of a line makes it a heading; two asterisks around a word make it bold. The file stays readable as plain text, and it converts cleanly to HTML for the web. Markdown files usually end in .md.

Essential syntax

A blank line separates paragraphs. Lists nest when you indent the items by two or three spaces.

Common extensions

• Tables: columns separated by |, with a row of dashes under the header. :--- aligns left, :---: centers, ---: aligns right, handy for a price column such as $85.40.
• Task lists: - [ ] Milk gives an empty checkbox, - [x] Bread a checked one.
• Strikethrough: ~~old price~~.
• Automatic links: an address starting with https:// or www. becomes a link on its own.

How to use the editor

1. Type or paste into “Markdown text”, or click “Open a .md file”. You can also drop a file onto the text area.
2. Format with the toolbar: bold, italic, heading, link, list, code, table and quote. Shortcuts: Ctrl+B, Ctrl+I and Ctrl+K (Cmd on a Mac).
3. The “Table of contents” button lists your headings. Click one to jump to that section, or use “Insert into text” to add a linked contents list to your document.
4. Export with “Copy HTML”, “Download .html” (a full page with a simple, readable style) or “Download .md”.

Below the panes, a counter shows the word count and reading time, based on 230 words per minute: a 920-word blog post is a 4 min read, a 1,000-word essay 5 min. Synchronized scrolling keeps the preview roughly level with the part of the text you are editing.

What people use Markdown for

Markdown is the standard for software documentation and README files, and it is great for notes, forum posts, chat apps that support it, and blog drafts. Meeting minutes, a study guide for finals or a weekly to-do list are quick to write without taking your hands off the keyboard.

Converting Markdown to HTML safely

The converter follows CommonMark, the reference specification for Markdown, plus the extensions above. Raw HTML typed into your text is not rendered by default: it shows up as plain text. If you tick “Show raw HTML (sanitized)”, common tags are rendered, but a filter always strips scripts, event attributes such as onclick or onerror, and javascript: links. The HTML you copy or download is the same sanitized code as the preview.

Frequently asked questions

Is my text sent to a server?

No. Conversion happens in your browser and the draft stays on your device. Clearing your browser data deletes that draft, so download the .md file if you want to keep it.

Why doesn't my line break show up?

In Markdown, a single line break is merged into the paragraph. Leave a blank line for a new paragraph, or end the line with two spaces for a line break.

Can I paste the HTML into my website?

Yes. “Copy HTML” gives you just the content, ready for a template or a page builder. “Download .html” creates a standalone page that opens in any browser.

Why are my images missing from the preview?

An image with a relative path such as photo.jpg does not exist on this page. Use its full https:// address to see it in the preview.