Markdown to HTML Converter

About this Markdown to HTML Converter

The Markdown to HTML Converter changes common Markdown syntax into standard HTML tags. It supports the everyday formatting most people use: headings, bold and italic text, links and simple bullet lists.

Markdown's simple, readable syntax has become the standard for writing documentation, README files, forum posts and blog drafts, precisely because it converts cleanly into properly structured HTML without requiring the writer to manually type HTML tags.

For related tasks, try HTML Minifier, HTML Entity Encoder / Decoder or Meta Tag Generator.

How the calculation works

The converter applies pattern replacements for headings (# through ######), bold (**text**), italic (*text*), links ([text](url)) and lines starting with a dash as list items, then wraps remaining lines in paragraph tags.

How to use it

1. Paste Markdown text into the box.
2. Select Convert to HTML.
3. Copy the generated HTML markup.

Practical example

“# Hello” converts to “<h1>Hello</h1>”, and “**bold**” converts to “<strong>bold</strong>”.

Markdown text like **Important:** check the *details* before submitting converts to HTML with bold and italic tags replacing the asterisk-based emphasis markers.

Things to double-check

This tool converts common, widely supported Markdown syntax, but Markdown has several competing extended flavors that include features beyond the original basic specification, so highly specialized syntax from a particular platform may not convert exactly as that platform would render it.

Basic Markdown syntax

Markdown is a light way to write formatted text. A line starting with # becomes a heading, with more hashes for smaller headings. Wrapping words in double asterisks makes them bold and in single asterisks makes them italic. Lines starting with a dash or a number make lists, and the pattern [text](address) makes a link. The converter turns this writing into the HTML tags a browser understands.

Spacing and line breaks

Blank lines separate paragraphs, and a single line break inside a paragraph is usually joined into one line. To force a line break, end the line with two spaces or use a blank line. Lists need a blank line before them in some flavours. If the output is not what you expect, check these small details first. Indenting a line by four spaces can turn it into a code block, which surprises many people.

Different flavours

Markdown has several versions. The original is simple, and GitHub Flavored Markdown adds tables, task lists and strikethrough, while other systems add footnotes or custom blocks. A tool that supports only the basics will leave extensions as plain text. When you move text between platforms, preview the result on the target platform, as rendering may differ in small ways.

Safety and publishing

Markdown can contain raw HTML, including scripts. If you convert text written by other people and publish the output, sanitise it first to remove dangerous tags and attributes, otherwise you can introduce cross-site scripting. Use headings in order, write meaningful link text and add descriptions to images so the published page is accessible. Check the HTML in a browser before you paste it into a content management system.

Writing clear structure

Good Markdown makes good HTML. Use a single top-level heading for the title, then second-level headings for sections and third-level headings for subsections, without skipping levels. Use lists for steps and options, and fenced blocks with three backticks for code. Write meaningful link text, not click here, and add alternative text to images. A table needs a header row and a separator line. Preview the converted HTML to check the structure, since a missing blank line can change how a list is rendered.

Worked example: Markdown and its HTML

A line beginning with a single hash and a space becomes a first-level heading, so # Title turns into an h1 element. The text **bold** becomes a strong element and *italic* an em element. A list with dashes becomes an unordered list with a list item for each line, and the pattern [Dekuz](https://dekuz.com) becomes a link whose visible text is Dekuz. Code wrapped in backticks becomes a code element. Seeing the mapping helps you write Markdown with the final HTML in mind, and to spot why a piece of formatting did not turn out as you expected.

Writing structure that works on the web

A good page has one main heading, then second-level headings for sections and third-level headings for subsections, without skipping levels, since search engines and screen readers use the structure. Keep paragraphs short, use lists for steps and options, and write link text that describes the destination, not click here. Give every image alternative text, using the Markdown image syntax with a description. A table needs a header row, and in some versions of Markdown it requires a separator line of dashes under the header. Preview the result before you publish.

Flavours and their limits

The original Markdown description left many details open, so different tools behave differently. The CommonMark specification tidied up the core syntax. GitHub Flavored Markdown adds tables, task lists and strikethrough. Other systems add footnotes, definition lists or custom blocks. If you write for a specific platform, learn its flavour and test a sample. This converter handles the common basic syntax, so features that are specific to a platform may stay as plain text, and you may need to add HTML for complex layouts.

Publishing safely

Markdown can include raw HTML, and some converters pass it through. If the text comes from other people, such as comments, run the output through a sanitiser that removes scripts and unsafe attributes before you display it. Escape characters that you want to show literally, such as an asterisk or an underscore, with a backslash. When you move content into a content management system, check how it treats headings, line breaks and images, and keep your original Markdown file so that you can update the page later.

Key terms explained

Markdown is a lightweight way of writing formatted text with plain characters. HTML is the markup language of web pages. A heading, list, link, image and code block each have their own Markdown syntax. CommonMark is a precise specification of the core. GitHub Flavored Markdown adds tables and task lists. A parser reads Markdown and produces HTML. Front matter is metadata at the top of a file. Sanitising removes unsafe HTML from output.

Rules of thumb and quick checks

One hash makes a first-level heading, two make a second-level heading, and so on. Use asterisks around text for emphasis, double for bold. Leave a blank line between paragraphs and before lists. Write links as text in square brackets followed by an address in round brackets. Use one first-level heading per page, and check the converted HTML in a browser before you publish.

Quick reference and sanity checks

A short checklist avoids most surprises. A line that starts with one to six hash signs becomes a heading, text between double asterisks becomes bold and a line that starts with a dash or an asterisk becomes a list item. A blank line separates paragraphs, and a single line break inside a paragraph is usually ignored unless you end the line with two spaces. Links use square brackets for the text followed by round brackets for the address. Different Markdown flavours treat tables and task lists differently, so check the preview in the place where you will publish. Always read the generated HTML once, because it is the code that visitors and search engines will actually receive.

Frequently asked questions