Markdown Cheat Sheet — Complete Guide for Beginners
Markdown is one of the most useful writing tools you have probably never heard of. It is a simple way to format text — add headings, bold words, create lists, insert links — using only plain characters on your keyboard. No clicking toolbar buttons, no complex menus.
Markdown is used everywhere: GitHub, Reddit, Notion, Obsidian, Stack Overflow, Discord, WhatsApp (partially), and most modern content management systems. Once you learn it, you write faster and your documents look cleaner.
Use the free Markdown to HTML Converter on cleverly.tools to write Markdown and see a live preview, or convert it to HTML to use on a website.
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Why Learn Markdown?
- Speed: Format text without taking your hands off the keyboard
- Portability: Markdown files are plain text — they open on any device, any software, forever
- Universal: Works in GitHub, Notion, Obsidian, Ghost, WordPress, Reddit, and dozens of other platforms
- Clean output: Converts to beautiful, structured HTML automatically
- Future-proof: No proprietary format — your notes stay readable even if the app disappears
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The Complete Markdown Cheat Sheet
Headings
`
Heading 1
Heading 2
Heading 3
#### Heading 4`Headings use # symbols. One # = the largest heading. Four #### = a smaller sub-heading.
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Text Formatting
`
bold text
italic text
~~strikethrough~~
inline code
`
| Syntax | Result |
|---|---|
| bold | bold |
| italic | italic |
| ~~strikethrough~~ | ~~strikethrough~~ |
| ` code | code` |
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Lists
Unordered List (bullets):
`
- First item
- Second item
- Third item
`Ordered List (numbered):
`
1. First item
2. Second item
3. Third item
`
Nested List:
`
- Main item
`---
Links and Images
Link:
`
Link text here
`
Image:
`
!Alt text
`
Link with title (tooltip on hover):
`
Link text
`
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Blockquotes
`
This is a blockquote.
It can span multiple lines.
`Blockquotes are perfect for highlighting quotes, callouts, or important notes.
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Code Blocks
For a single line of code, use backticks: ` code here `
For multiple lines, use triple backticks with the language name:
``
`javascript
function hello() {
console.log("Hello, World!");
}
`
``
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Tables
`
| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Row 1 | Data | Data |
| Row 2 | Data | Data |
`
The |---| in the second row creates the header separator. Tables in Markdown are quick to write and convert to clean HTML tables.
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Horizontal Line
`
---
`
Three dashes on their own line create a horizontal divider, like the ones separating sections in this article.
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Checkboxes (Task Lists)
`
- [x] Completed task
- [ ] Incomplete task
- [ ] Another item
`Task lists work in GitHub, Notion, Obsidian, and many other tools. Great for to-do lists in your notes.
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Where Markdown Is Used
| Platform | Markdown Support |
|---|---|
| GitHub | Full Markdown in READMEs, issues, PRs |
| Notion | Partial (headers, bold, lists, links) |
| Obsidian | Full Markdown for all notes |
| Reddit | Basic formatting (bold, italic, links) |
| Discord | Bold, italic, code blocks |
| Ghost CMS | Full Markdown |
| Stack Overflow | Full Markdown in answers |
| WhatsApp | Bold (bold), italic (_italic_), strikethrough |
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How to Convert Markdown to HTML
If you write Markdown and need to use it on a website, you can convert it to HTML instantly using the Markdown to HTML Converter on cleverly.tools.
How it works:
1. Paste your Markdown text into the left panel 2. See the live HTML preview on the right 3. Copy the generated HTML code 4. Paste it into your website, email template, or CMSNo software needed. The conversion happens in your browser in real time.
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Tips for Writing Better Markdown
- Use blank lines between elements: A blank line between a paragraph and a heading or list prevents formatting issues.
- Preview before publishing: The Markdown to HTML Converter shows exactly how your text will look before you use it anywhere.
- Keep it simple: Markdown shines for structured writing. For complex layouts, use HTML directly.
- Use heading hierarchy: Start with
##(H2) for main sections —#(H1) is usually reserved for the page title.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between Markdown and HTML? A: Markdown is a simplified writing syntax that converts to HTML. HTML is the actual code that browsers read. Markdown is easier to write and read as plain text; HTML gives you more control over layout and styling. The Markdown to HTML Converter converts between them instantly.
Q: Does Markdown work in Microsoft Word?
A: Not natively. Word uses its own formatting system. However, you can write in Markdown and convert it to a Word-compatible format, or use a Markdown editor that exports to .docx.
Q: Is Markdown the same everywhere? A: The core syntax is the same, but different platforms add their own extensions (called "flavors"). GitHub Flavored Markdown supports task lists and tables; basic Markdown does not. The most common elements — headings, bold, italic, links, lists — work universally.
Q: Can I use Markdown to write blog posts? A: Yes, and many bloggers do. Platforms like Ghost, WordPress (with plugins), Jekyll, and Hugo all support Markdown natively. It is faster than writing in a visual editor once you know the syntax.