Markdown Preview
Write and preview Markdown in real-time with syntax highlighting and HTML output.
What Is Markdown?
Markdown is a lightweight markup language that allows you to write formatted text using a plain-text editor. Created by John Gruber in 2004, Markdown has become the standard for writing documentation, README files, forum posts, and even entire websites. A Markdown previewer lets you see how your formatted text will appear in real time. Our free online Markdown editor provides instant live Markdown preview directly in your browser.
Common Markdown Syntax
Headings
Use # for h1, ## for h2,
### for h3, and so on down to h6.
Bold & Italic
Wrap text in ** for bold and
* for italic.
Lists
Start a line with - or *
for unordered lists, or 1. for ordered lists.
Code
Use backticks `code` for inline code or
triple backticks ``` for code blocks.
Blockquotes
Start a line with > to create a blockquote
for highlighting quoted text.
Links
Format links as [text](url) to create
clickable hyperlinks in your document.
Why Developers Love Markdown
- Version Control Friendly — Markdown files are plain text, making them easy to diff, merge, and track with Git and other version control systems.
- Portable — Markdown can be converted to HTML, PDF, LaTeX, and many other formats. It works everywhere — GitHub, GitLab, Notion, Slack, and thousands of other platforms.
- Fast to Write — No need to reach for a mouse or navigate complex toolbar menus. You can write structured documents as fast as you type.
- Widely Supported — Every major code hosting platform, documentation generator (MkDocs, Docusaurus, Jekyll), and note-taking app supports Markdown natively.
How to Use This Markdown Previewer
To use our Markdown previewer online, type or paste your Markdown content into the textarea on the left and click Preview. The tool will instantly render your Markdown to HTML and display the result. You can then copy the generated HTML using the Copy HTML button. The editor comes pre-loaded with sample Markdown so you can see how different syntax elements look when rendered. Since everything runs in your browser, your content is never sent to any server — your documents and notes stay completely private.
Whether you are writing documentation for your open-source project, formatting a README file, drafting a blog post, or taking notes in Markdown, this live Markdown editor gives you instant feedback. No sign-up, no ads, no server uploads — just a fast, free Markdown to HTML converter that works offline.
Markdown is the lightweight markup language created by John Gruber and Aaron Swartz in 2004, now standardized under CommonMark and expanded through GitHub Flavored Markdown (GFM). Markdown enables developers, technical writers, and content creators to format documents using plain text syntax that can be converted cleanly into semantically structured HTML. From writing GitHub READMEs and issue tickets to drafting blog posts, API documentation, and static site content, Markdown is the primary documentation standard across the software industry. A live Markdown editor and previewer bridges the gap between raw text and rendered output: it gives immediate visual feedback on headings, lists, tables, strikethrough, fenced code blocks, blockquotes, and hyperlinks. WebUtil's Markdown Previewer provides a side-by-side editing interface with instant HTML rendering, syntax sanitization to prevent XSS attacks, and one-click export of both formatted HTML and raw Markdown.
How to Do This in Code
Markdown Preview FAQ
What is GitHub Flavored Markdown (GFM) and how does it differ from standard Markdown?
GFM extends standard CommonMark with support for tables, task lists with checkboxes (- [x]), strikethrough (~~text~~), autolinks, and syntax-highlighted code fences.
How does the live HTML preview sanitize code to prevent XSS?
WebUtil sanitizes all rendered HTML by stripping dangerous script tags, malicious event handlers (onerror, onload), and unsafe URL protocols (like javascript:).
Can I write and preview Markdown tables and checklists?
Yes. WebUtil fully supports GFM table syntax with column alignment (| --- | :---: | ---: |) and interactive task lists.
How do I export my Markdown to formatted HTML?
Click the 'Copy HTML' button to copy clean, semantic HTML directly to your clipboard, ready to paste into web editors or CMS platforms.
Does this editor autosave my work in my browser?
Yes. Your current text is preserved in browser local storage so you won't lose your work if you accidentally refresh or close the tab.