Markdown Previewer
Preview Markdown as rendered HTML in real time.
Tool guide
About Markdown Previewer
The Markdown Previewer shows how entered Markdown syntax will look when rendered as formatted text. It helps check headings, lists, links, and code blocks while drafting, but the preview is not the same as every site's Markdown engine or theme.
Markdown Previewer pairs a plain text editor with a rendered preview. As you type, the preview shows how common Markdown structure such as headings, emphasis, lists, links, and code formatting may appear. It uses a Markdown renderer in the browser, so the result is a helpful draft view rather than a guarantee that every publishing platform will render the same way.
How to use this tool
- 1Type or paste Markdown source into the editor pane.
- 2Review the rendered preview for headings, emphasis, lists, links, and code formatting.
- 3Check the output in the target platform before publishing, especially if the document contains embedded HTML or platform-specific syntax.
Main features explained
01Live source and preview panes
The left side holds Markdown source and the right side renders recognized Markdown as the text changes. This lets you compare the syntax you wrote with the visual structure it creates.
02Common Markdown elements
Try heading markers, emphasis, ordered and unordered lists, inline code, fenced code blocks, and links. Exact extension support depends on the renderer and may differ from a repository or CMS.
03Raw HTML is not rendered by the default setup
This page uses ReactMarkdown without enabling its raw-HTML plugin. HTML typed into Markdown should be treated as text or omitted by the parser rather than trusted as an active HTML preview; verify the result in the target platform.
04Plain text editing controls
The editor is a textarea with spell checking disabled. Clear removes the current input. The preview is for visual review; this component does not provide an export button or save drafts automatically.
How it works
A Markdown parser reads punctuation and line structure and converts recognized syntax into a visual representation. Different implementations support different extensions. The preview is intended to display content in the browser and may sanitize or handle raw HTML differently from a publishing platform.
A quick example
Writing `## Setup` on a line creates a second-level heading in common Markdown. A hyphen followed by a space begins a bullet in many Markdown flavors.
Worked examples
Create a heading and list
Before
## Setup - Install the app - Start the server
After
A second-level heading followed by two bullet items
A blank line before the list helps separate the heading from the next block in common Markdown.
Show inline code
Before
Run `npm run dev` to start locally.
After
The command appears in code styling
Backticks mark a short inline code span. Fenced blocks use a line of three backticks before and after longer examples.
When it is useful
Draft README files, notes, issue descriptions, and simple documentation while seeing formatting as you type.
Drafting a README
Check whether a project introduction, setup headings, lists, and code examples are structured clearly before copying the Markdown into a repository.
Writing issue or release notes
Preview a title, checklist, links, and bullet list to catch missing blank lines or misplaced markers before submitting text to a platform.
Preparing simple documentation
Use the two panes to review headings and code snippets in notes or a help page. Confirm platform-specific syntax separately if the final system has extensions.
Learning Markdown basics
Change a marker and watch the rendered output. This makes it easier to see how asterisks, hashes, backticks, and list prefixes affect presentation.
Tips for a better result
- Preview headings, links, and lists while drafting, but check the same source in the destination platform before publishing.
- Use blank lines around block elements when the target Markdown flavor expects them; parser rules can vary.
- Keep a copy of the Markdown source, since the preview is rendered output rather than a saved document.
- Do not assume HTML tags will execute in this preview or in another Markdown system. Platform security settings may remove or escape HTML.
- Check links and code examples in context. A visual preview does not validate a URL, command, or code sample.
Technical details and limits
The preview may not match GitHub, a CMS, or another parser exactly. Avoid entering untrusted HTML in a renderer unless the implementation sanitizes it; do not assume a preview is a security audit.
The result depends on the text and options you provide. Keep a copy of the original when formatting matters, and review the output before using it in a document, site, or application. This guide describes the tool's behavior; it does not replace proofreading or checking a platform's own requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Does it support every Markdown extension?
No. Markdown features vary by parser and platform.
Will my page look exactly like the preview after publishing?
Not necessarily; the destination theme, parser, and styles affect the final appearance.
Can Markdown contain HTML?
Some platforms allow it, but support and safety rules differ. Treat untrusted HTML carefully.
Does the preview update as I type?
Yes. The Markdown renderer receives the current text and refreshes the preview as the input changes.
Does it support every Markdown flavor?
No. Common syntax is supported, but extensions and edge cases vary between platforms and parser configurations.
Will the final site look exactly like this?
Not necessarily. The destination theme, styles, extensions, and parser affect the published appearance.
Can I write raw HTML in the Markdown?
This preview does not enable raw HTML rendering. Other platforms may handle HTML differently, so follow the destination's rules.
Does it save or download my Markdown?
No. Keep a separate copy in your editor or destination system; Clear removes the current text.
Does a link preview mean the link works?
No. The renderer formats a link but does not check that its destination exists or is safe.