Markdown Cheat Sheet: Syntax with Examples

Markdown is a lightweight way to format text with plain characters — it powers README files, GitHub, Reddit, chat apps, and countless note tools. Here's the syntax you'll actually use, with an example for each.

Want to try any of these live? Paste them into our Markdown editor and watch them render as you type.

Headings

Use # for each level: # H1, ## H2, ### H3 (up to six).

Bold, italic, and strikethrough

• **bold** → bold
• *italic* → italic
• ~~strikethrough~~ → strikethrough

Lists

Bullets: start lines with - or *. Numbered: start with 1.,2., and so on. Indent two spaces to nest a sub-item.

Links and images

• Link: [OhoTool](https://ohotool.com)
• Image: ![alt text](image.png) — same as a link, with a leading !

Code

Inline code uses backticks: `code`. For a block, wrap it in triple backticks and optionally name the language for highlighting (for example, ```js … ```).

Blockquotes and rules

Start a line with > for a blockquote. Use three or more dashes (---) on their own line for a horizontal rule.

Tables

Separate columns with pipes and add a divider row of dashes:

| Tool | Free |
| ---- | ---- |
| OhoTool | Yes |

FAQ

What's the difference between Markdown and HTML?

Markdown is a simple shorthand that converts to HTML. You write less, and it stays readable as plain text. You can even mix in raw HTML when you need something Markdown doesn't cover.

What is GitHub-flavored Markdown?

A popular Markdown extension that adds tables, task lists, strikethrough, and automatic links — supported by our editor.

How do I turn Markdown into a file?

Use the editor's copy/download buttons, or convert to other formats with Markdown to HTML and Markdown to PDF.