Every Markdown element with an example you can edit: change the text on the left and the rendered result updates instantly on the right. Covers basic syntax, GitHub Flavored Markdown (tables, task lists, strikethrough) and GitHub extras like alerts and footnotes.
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Edit any example: the preview updates as you type and your edits are kept in this browser. Badges show where the syntax works.
No Markdown elements match your search. Try "list", "code" or "link".
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How to use the Markdown Cheat Sheet
Find the element you need by searching (table, image, footnote) or by choosing a tab such as Basic or GitHub extras.
Edit the example in the Markdown box. The preview next to it updates as you type.
Check the badge to see where the syntax works: Basic works in every Markdown app, GFM in GitHub-style renderers, GitHub only on GitHub.
Copy the Markdown into your README, docs or notes, or copy the HTML output.
Reset an example to get the original back after experimenting.
Markdown quick reference
Element
Markdown
Support
Heading
# H1 · ## H2 · ### H3
Everywhere
Bold / italic
**bold** · *italic* · ***both***
Everywhere
Link
[text](https://example.com)
Everywhere
Image
Everywhere
Bullet list
- item
Everywhere
Numbered list
1. item
Everywhere
Quote
> quote
Everywhere
Inline code
`code`
Everywhere
Code block
```js … ```
GFM / CommonMark
Horizontal rule
---
Everywhere
Table
| A | B | + | --- | --- |
GFM
Task list
- [ ] todo · - [x] done
GFM
Strikethrough
~~text~~
GFM
Footnote
text[^1] + [^1]: note
GitHub, many static site generators
Alert
> [!NOTE]
GitHub, some docs tools
Markdown flavors compared
Original Markdown (John Gruber, 2004) defined the basics but left many edge cases open, so early renderers disagreed. CommonMark (2014) is a strict, unambiguous specification of that core syntax with a large test suite. GitHub Flavored Markdown (GFM) is a superset of CommonMark that adds tables, task lists, strikethrough, extended autolinks and filtering of unsafe HTML. Platforms then add their own extras: GitHub supports alerts, footnotes, emoji shortcodes, Mermaid diagrams and LaTeX math with $…$; tools like Obsidian add wiki links ([[Page]]) and highlights (==text==). When a document must look the same everywhere, stick to the Basic and GFM elements.
Tips for clean Markdown
Leave a blank line before and after headings, lists, code blocks and tables; many renderers require it.
Always put a space after # in headings: #Heading is not a heading in CommonMark.
Use one style consistently: - for bullets, ** for bold and * for italics.
Add a language after the opening backticks (```python) so code is highlighted.
Write meaningful alt text for images; screen readers read it aloud.
Frequently asked questions
What is Markdown?
Markdown is a lightweight markup language created by John Gruber in 2004. You format plain text with simple symbols, such as # for headings and ** for bold, and a renderer converts it to HTML. It is used for README files, documentation, forums, chat apps and note-taking tools.
What is GitHub Flavored Markdown (GFM)?
GFM is GitHub's specification of Markdown, built on CommonMark. It adds tables, task lists, strikethrough with ~~, automatic links for URLs and stricter rules for raw HTML. Most modern tools such as GitLab, VS Code and many static site generators support it.
How do I make a line break in Markdown?
A single newline inside a paragraph is ignored by most renderers. End the line with two spaces or a backslash to force a line break, or leave a blank line to start a new paragraph. GitHub comments and issues are an exception: there a single newline becomes a break.
How do I create a table in Markdown?
Write the header row separated by pipes, then a separator row of dashes such as | --- | --- |, then one row per line. Add colons in the separator to align a column: :--- left, :---: center and ---: right. Tables are part of GFM, not original Markdown.
How do I add a checkbox in Markdown?
Start a list item with - [ ] for an unchecked box or - [x] for a checked one. These task lists are a GFM feature; on GitHub you can tick them directly in issues and pull requests.
How do I escape Markdown characters?
Put a backslash before the character, for example \* to show a literal asterisk or \# at the start of a line to avoid a heading. Characters that can be escaped include \ ` * _ { } [ ] ( ) # + - . ! and |.
Can I use HTML inside Markdown?
Yes, most renderers pass simple HTML through, which is useful for things Markdown lacks, such as <kbd>, <sup>, <details> or image sizes. Platforms like GitHub remove scripts, styles and many attributes for security, so stick to basic tags.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.