Markdown Formatter
Paste messy Markdown and get clean, consistent output from Prettier: normalized headings, lists and emphasis, aligned tables and optional line wrapping. Check the result in the live preview, then copy or download it.
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Tip: press Ctrl + Enter to format. Formatting uses Prettier and runs entirely in your browser; your text is never uploaded.
How to use the Markdown Formatter
- Paste your Markdown into the input, open a .md file, or load the messy sample.
- Choose the style: prose wrap and print width, bullet marker, aligned or compact tables, and whether to format code blocks.
- Press Format Markdown (or Ctrl + Enter). With Format as I type on, the output updates while you edit.
- Switch to Preview to see the rendered result and check that nothing changed meaning.
- Copy or download the formatted Markdown, or press Use output as input to keep editing.
Before and after: what the formatter normalizes
| Input | Formatted | Why |
|---|---|---|
Title===== | # Title | ATX headings are easier to scan and edit than underlined (Setext) headings. |
### Notes ### | ### Notes | Closing hashes are optional and removed. |
* item / + item | - item | One bullet marker throughout (configurable). |
*emphasis*, __bold__ | _emphasis_, **bold** | Consistent emphasis delimiters. |
*** | --- | Consistent thematic break. |
| Three blank lines | One blank line | Extra blank lines have no effect when rendered. |
|a|b||-|-| | | a | b || --- | --- | | Aligned table columns are readable in plain text. |
Prose wrap: which option to choose
- Preserve (Prettier's default) keeps your existing line breaks inside paragraphs. Choose it when you don't want any reflowing.
- Wrap at print width reflows paragraphs to 80 characters (or the width you pick). Good for documents read in terminals and for email-style plain text.
- One line per paragraph removes hard line breaks. Many teams prefer it for READMEs and docs sites, because editing a sentence then changes only one line, and editors soft-wrap the text anyway.
Markdown also has hard line breaks: a line ending in two spaces or a backslash forces a <br>. The formatter keeps both forms exactly as written, so the rendered output stays identical. Because trailing spaces are invisible, a backslash is the safer choice for new documents.
Need to build a table first? Use the Markdown Table Generator, or write and preview documents in the Markdown Editor.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Markdown formatter change?
It reprints the document in a consistent style: # headings instead of underlined ones, - for bullet lists (or your chosen marker), _ for emphasis and ** for bold, one blank line between blocks, escaped special characters where needed, re-indented nested lists and aligned table columns. The rendered meaning of the document stays the same.
Will it rewrap my paragraphs?
Only if you ask. Preserve keeps your line breaks, Wrap at print width rewraps paragraphs to the chosen width, and One line per paragraph joins each paragraph into a single line, which works well with git diffs in some workflows and with editors that soft-wrap.
Is the output the same as running Prettier?
Yes for the core formatting, since the tool runs Prettier 3's Markdown printer with the options shown. Two options are extra: the list marker choice and compact tables are applied after Prettier, because Prettier always uses - and aligned tables.
Does it support GitHub Flavored Markdown?
Yes. Tables, task lists (- [ ] and - [x]), strikethrough, autolinks and fenced code blocks are understood and preserved. YAML front matter at the top of the file is kept as is.
Why are my numbered lists renumbered?
Prettier follows your first two items: if the list starts 1. 2. it numbers incrementally, and if it starts 1. 1. it uses 1. for every item, which keeps diffs small when items are inserted. Markdown renderers number the items correctly either way.
Is my text uploaded?
No. Prettier, the Markdown parser and the preview renderer are JavaScript files that run in your browser tab. Your text never leaves the device.
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.