Markdown Specs

Published: 27 June 2026 | Last edited: 27 June 2026

Markdown is a lightweight markup language used to format text. It is commonly used for documentation, README files, and notes. Here's a quick overview of its main features.

1. Headings

Use # symbols for headings. The number of # signs determines the level.

# H1

## H2

### H3

#### H4

H1

H2

H3

H4

2. Emphasis

Use asterisks or underscores:

Italic → *Italic* or _Italic_
Bold → **Bold** or __Bold__
Bold and Italic → ***Bold and Italic***

3. Lists

Unordered List

- Item 1
- Item 2
  - Subitem 2.1
  - Subitem 2.2

Item 1
Item 2
- Subitem 2.1
- Subitem 2.2

Ordered List

1. First
2. Second
   1. Sub-step

First
Second
1. Sub-step

4. Links

[example.com](https://www.example.com)

example.com

5. Images

![Alt Text](https://via.placeholder.com/150)

Markdown Logo

6. Code

Inline code: `code` → Example: print("Hello World")

Code blocks:

```python
def greet():
    print("Hello, Markdown!")
```

def greet():
    print("Hello, Markdown!")

7. Blockquotes

> This is a blockquote.

This is a blockquote.

You know you’re getting old when you get that one candle on the cake. It’s like, ‘See if you can blow this out.‘

8. Horizontal Rule

Three dashes, asterisks, or underscores:

---

9. Tables

| Name  | Role      |
| ----- | --------- |
| Alice | Developer |
| Bob   | Designer  |

Name	Role
Alice	Developer
Bob	Designer

10. Task Lists

---

Use `- [ ]` for a checkbox.

```markdown
- [x] Write basic Markdown
- [ ] Learn advanced features
- [ ] Conquer the world

List of things I want to get done.

Write basic Markdown
Learn advanced features
Conquer the world

11. Footnotes

Add extra information without cluttering your main text.¹

This is a sentence with a footnote.[^1]

[^1]: Here's the footnote!

12. Tables with Alignment

You can align text left, center, or right using colons (:).

| Name     | Role       | Score |
|:---------|:----------:|------:|
| Alice    | Developer  |    95 |
| Bob      | Designer   |    87 |
| Charlie  | **Manager**|   100 |

Name	Role	Score
Alice	Developer	95
Bob	Designer	87
Charlie	Manager	100

13. Collapsible Sections (HTML only)

<details>
  <summary>Click to expand!</summary>
  Hidden content goes here. You can include **Markdown** inside!
</details>

Click to expand!

Hidden content goes here. You can include **Markdown** inside!

14. Strikethrough

Use ~~text~~ to strike through.

~~This text is crossed out~~

~~This text is crossed out~~

15. Inline HTML

Markdown allows some HTML:

<b>Bold HTML</b> <i>Italic HTML</i> <span style="color:red">Red Text</span>

Bold HTML Italic HTML Red Text

16. Math (LaTeX)

Use dollar signs for inline math: $E = mc^2$ Or double for blocks:

$$
\int_0^\infty e^{-x^2} dx = \frac{\sqrt{\pi}}{2}
$$

inline: $E = mc^2$

\int_0^\infty e^{-x^2} dx = \frac{\sqrt{\pi}}{2}

17. Autolinks

URLs and emails become links automatically:

https://www.example.com  
[email protected]

https://www.exmaple.com
[email protected]

18. Alerts

> [!NOTE]
> Useful information that users should know, even when skimming content.

> [!TIP]
> Helpful advice for doing things better or more easily.

> [!IMPORTANT]
> Key information users need to know to achieve their goal.

> [!WARNING]
> Urgent info that needs immediate user attention to avoid problems.

> [!CAUTION]
> Advises about risks or negative outcomes of certain actions.

NOTE

Useful information that users should know, even when skimming content.

TIP

Helpful advice for doing things better or more easily.

IMPORTANT

Key information users need to know to achieve their goal.

WARNING

Urgent info that needs immediate user attention to avoid problems.

CAUTION

Advises about risks or negative outcomes of certain actions.

Here’s the footnote! ↩