Markdown Editor
Write Markdown with a live HTML preview. Import a file, edit your markdown, then copy the output or download an HTML version to share.
Enter your Markdown
SETTINGS:
RESULT:
What this does
This lets you write in Markdown and see it come to life as you type. You enter your Markdown on the left, and the right side shows the finished, formatted result in real time, with headings, bold, lists, links, and code all rendered properly. It is a clean way to draft and preview formatted text without juggling a separate editor and viewer.
How to use it
- Type or paste your Markdown into the box on the left.
- Watch the formatted preview build on the right as you type.
- When you are happy, copy the result or download it, and use Clear to start fresh.
Everything is processed in your browser, so your writing never leaves your device.
This editor is for writing and previewing your own Markdown. It is not a security sanitizer. If you paste Markdown or HTML from someone else, review it before downloading or publishing the result elsewhere.
What Markdown is
Markdown is a simple way to format text using plain characters, so you can style your writing without a single button. You write a few easy marks and they turn into formatting. A # at the start of a line makes a heading, wrapping a word in ** makes it bold and a single * makes it italic, a dash starts a bullet point, and square brackets with a link in round brackets make a clickable link. It is popular precisely because it is quick to write, easy to read even in its raw form, and turns neatly into tidy formatted output, which is why it is used everywhere from documentation to readme files to notes.
Import, download, and highlighting
Beyond live preview, the editor has a few handy extras. You can import an existing Markdown or text file straight into the editor, so you do not have to paste a long document by hand. When you are done, you can download the formatted result as an HTML file to use elsewhere. And if your Markdown includes code blocks, they are shown with syntax highlighting, colouring the code so it is easy to read, which is a real bonus when you are writing technical notes or documentation.
Copy or download
It helps to know the difference between the two ways of taking your work out. The copy button gives you the rendered text from the preview, handy when you just want the finished words. The download option, on the other hand, saves a proper HTML file of the formatted result, which is what you want if you intend to publish it or open it in a browser. Pick the copy for quick reuse and the download when you need the actual formatted file.
Questions people ask
Do I have to press a button to see the result?
No. The preview updates live as you type, so you see your formatting take shape the moment you write it.
Does it handle code blocks?
Yes, and it highlights them. Code you include is shown with colour-coded syntax highlighting, which makes technical writing much easier to read.
Can I open an existing Markdown file?
You can. Use the import option to load a Markdown or text file directly into the editor, then carry on editing and previewing it.
References
- CommonMark. A strongly defined, highly compatible specification of Markdown. https://commonmark.org/
Sarayu is an Assistant Lecturer at Herald College, currently studying Masters of Engineering at KU. She is a Software engineer and educator who enjoys writing, and publishes essays and articles. She helps to review word/text utilities for clarity and usability.