Overview

Nearly all Markdown applications support the basic syntax outlined in the original Markdown design document. There are minor variations and discrepancies between Markdown processors — those are noted inline wherever possible.

Headings

To create a heading, add number signs (#) in front of a word or phrase. The number of number signs you use should correspond to the heading level. For example, to create a heading level three (<h3>), use three number signs (e.g., ### My Header).

Markdown

HTML

Rendered Output

# Heading level 1

<h1>Heading level 1</h1>

Heading level 1

## Heading level 2

<h2>Heading level 2</h2>

Heading level 2

### Heading level 3

<h3>Heading level 3</h3>

Heading level 3

#### Heading level 4

<h4>Heading level 4</h4>

Heading level 4

##### Heading level 5

<h5>Heading level 5</h5>

Heading level 5

###### Heading level 6

<h6>Heading level 6</h6>

Heading level 6

Alternate Syntax

Alternatively, on the line below the text, add any number of == characters for heading level 1 or -- characters for heading level 2.

Markdown

HTML

Rendered Output

Heading level 1 ===============

<h1>Heading level 1</h1>

Heading level 1

Heading level 2 ---------------

<h2>Heading level 2</h2>

Heading level 2

Paragraphs

To create paragraphs, use a blank line to separate one or more lines of text.

Markdown

HTML

Rendered Output

I really like using Markdown. I think I'll use it to format all of my documents from now on.

<p>I really like using Markdown.</p> <p>I think I'll use it to format all of my documents from now on.</p>

I really like using Markdown.

I think I’ll use it to format all of my documents from now on.

Line Breaks

To create a line break or new line (<br>), end a line with two or more spaces, and then type return.

Markdown

HTML

Rendered Output

This is the first line.   And this is the second line.

<p>This is the first line.<br> And this is the second line.</p>

This is the first line.
And this is the second line.

Lists

You can nest an unordered list in an ordered list, or vice versa.

1. First item
2. Second item
3. Third item
    - Indented item
    - Indented item
4. Fourth item

The rendered output looks like this:

1. First item
2. Second item
3. Third item
   • Indented item
   • Indented item
4. Fourth item