Markdown to HTML Converter
Markdown to HTML Converter
Markdown is a lightweight markup language created by John Gruber in 2004. It converts simple text formatting rules to HTML, making it the dominant format for technical documentation, README files, and developer-facing writing.
Conversion Formula
The converter processes lines sequentially: headings are detected by leading # symbols, bold/italic by asterisk wrapping, and code by backtick delimiters. Fenced code blocks (```) are extracted first to prevent formatting inside them.
Step-by-Step Examples
# Title **Bold** and *italic* - Item 1 - Item 2 = <h1>Title</h1><p><strong>Bold</strong> and <em>italic</em></p><ul><li>Item 1</li><li>Item 2</li></ul>
Common Markdown elements converted to HTML
History
Markdown was created by John Gruber with input from Aaron Swartz in 2004. CommonMark (2014) standardized the spec after years of inconsistent implementations. GitHub Flavored Markdown extended it with tables and task lists.
Common Use Cases
- Technical documentation
- README files
- Blog post drafting
- Wiki content
- API documentation
- Email composition
Frequently Asked Questions
What Markdown syntax is supported?
Headings (# to ######), bold (**text**), italic (*text*), links ([text](url)), inline code (`code`), fenced code blocks (```), unordered lists (- or *), ordered lists (1.), blockquotes (>), and horizontal rules (---).
Which Markdown flavor does this follow?
This implements the core CommonMark syntax shared by GitHub Flavored Markdown, Reddit, Discourse, and most modern platforms. Extended features like tables and task lists are not included.
Why use Markdown instead of HTML?
Markdown is much faster to write and easier to read as plain text. It is the standard format for README files, documentation, blog posts, and comment systems across modern development platforms.