Markdown Syntax Cheatsheet for Developers
A complete Markdown syntax cheatsheet covering headings, lists, code blocks, tables, links, images, and more. The quick reference every developer needs.
Table of Contents
Headings
Use # symbols to create headings. The number of # symbols determines the heading level:
# Heading 1
## Heading 2
### Heading 3
#### Heading 4
Text Formatting
| Syntax | Result | Description |
|---|---|---|
| **bold** | bold | Bold text |
| *italic* | italic | Italic text |
| ~~strikethrough~~ | strikethrough | Strikethrough text |
| `inline code` | inline code | Inline code |
| > blockquote | blockquote | Blockquote |
Lists
Unordered Lists
- Item 1
- Item 2
- Nested item
Ordered Lists
1. First item
2. Second item
3. Third item
Code Blocks
For inline code, use single backticks: `code`. For code blocks, use triple backticks with an optional language identifier:
```javascript
function hello() {
console.log("Hello, world!");
}
```
Links and Images
[Link text](https://example.com)
Links use square brackets for the text and parentheses for the URL. Images follow the same pattern but start with an exclamation mark.
Tables
Tables use pipes and hyphens to create a grid:
| Header 1 | Header 2 |
|----------|----------|
| Cell 1 | Cell 2 |
Align columns using colons: :---|:---:|---: for left, center, and right alignment.
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Write Markdown on the left and see the rendered preview on the right.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Markdown used for?
Markdown is a lightweight markup language used to format plain text. It is widely used for README files, documentation, blog posts, forum messages, and technical writing. GitHub, Stack Overflow, and many CMS platforms support Markdown.
Is Markdown the same as HTML?
No. Markdown is a simpler syntax that converts to HTML. While HTML uses tags like <h1> and <p>, Markdown uses # for headings and plain text for paragraphs. Markdown is easier to read and write, while HTML offers more control.
Can I use HTML inside Markdown?
Yes, most Markdown renderers allow inline HTML. You can use HTML tags for features not covered by Markdown syntax, such as complex tables, embedded videos, or styled divs. However, not all renderers support all HTML tags.