Markdown to HTML Converter

Markdown to HTML Converter

Convert Markdown to HTML and HTML to Markdown. Supports headings, links, lists, code blocks, tables.



Preview

What is Markdown?

Markdown is a lightweight markup language created in 2004 by John Gruber for writing structured content using simple, readable plain text. Instead of complex HTML tags (<h1>, <strong>), you use intuitive symbols: # for headings, ** for bold, _ for italic, – for lists. The result is text that’s easy to write and read in raw form, yet converts cleanly to formatted HTML for the web. Markdown powers GitHub READMEs, Reddit posts, Discord messages, Notion, Obsidian, Bear, iA Writer, and millions of static websites built with Jekyll, Hugo, Gatsby, or Next.js. This tool converts Markdown to HTML and back, with live preview – perfect for testing syntax, generating quick HTML for emails, or reverse-engineering HTML to Markdown.

How to use this tool

  1. Choose direction — Markdown → HTML (default) or HTML → Markdown.
  2. Type or paste content — Use the left textarea. Conversion happens instantly as you type.
  3. View HTML output — Right textarea shows the converted output. Use the rendered preview below to see how it actually looks.
  4. Copy or swap — Copy button puts output on clipboard. Swap reverses the direction (useful for round-trip testing).

Markdown syntax cheat sheet

  • Headings: # H1, ## H2, ### H3 … up to ###### H6
  • Bold: **bold text** or __bold text__
  • Italic: *italic* or _italic_
  • Bold+Italic: ***both***
  • Code inline: `code`
  • Code blocks: triple backtick on lines before and after
  • Links: [link text](https://url.com)
  • Images: ![alt text](url)
  • Lists (unordered): - item or * item
  • Lists (ordered): 1. first 2. second
  • Blockquote: > quoted text
  • Horizontal rule: --- on its own line
  • Tables: use | to separate columns and a row of dashes for header separation

Examples

Markdown:

# MavexTech Guide

**Welcome** to the *best* free tools.

- Free tools
- No signup
- 102+ utilities

Visit our [website](https://mavextech.com).

HTML output:

<h1>MavexTech Guide</h1>
<p><strong>Welcome</strong> to the <em>best</em> free tools.</p>
<ul>
  <li>Free tools</li>
  <li>No signup</li>
  <li>102+ utilities</li>
</ul>
<p>Visit our <a href='https://mavextech.com'>website</a>.</p>

Tips & best practices

  • Use Markdown for README.md files – GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket all render it beautifully
  • Blog with Markdown using Jekyll, Hugo, or Eleventy for fastest static sites
  • Notion, Obsidian, and Bear use Markdown as their underlying format – easy to switch between apps
  • GitHub Flavored Markdown (GFM) adds tables, task lists, strikethrough, and code syntax highlighting – this converter supports basic Markdown
  • Convert HTML to Markdown when migrating content between platforms – or extracting clean text from web pages
  • For complex content (tables, footnotes, math), use a full Markdown parser like marked or markdown-it
  • Avoid HTML inside Markdown unless needed – reduces portability between renderers

Limitations & notes

This is a lightweight Markdown converter handling common patterns (headings, bold, italic, code, lists, links, images, blockquotes, horizontal rule). It does NOT support: tables (basic Markdown doesn’t, GFM does), task lists, footnotes, definition lists, syntax highlighting in code blocks. For production use needing full CommonMark or GitHub Flavored Markdown support, use dedicated libraries like marked, markdown-it, or remark.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between Markdown and HTML?

Markdown is a simplified syntax that compiles TO HTML. It’s easier to write and read in raw form but less expressive than HTML. Markdown is ideal for content (text, lists, links, images). HTML is needed for complex layouts, custom styling, embedded media, forms.

Why use Markdown over rich text editors?

Markdown is plain text – version controllable (git), portable across apps, future-proof, no vendor lock-in. Rich text editors (Word, Google Docs) save in proprietary or complex formats. Markdown works in any text editor and renders the same everywhere.

Are there Markdown variants?

Yes – CommonMark (standardized), GitHub Flavored Markdown (GFM, adds tables, task lists, strikethrough), MultiMarkdown (academic features), Markdown Extra. Most renderers support CommonMark + GFM. This converter handles common patterns from both.

Can I include HTML inside Markdown?

Yes – most Markdown renderers pass HTML through unchanged. Use sparingly for things Markdown can’t express (custom styling, iframes, video embeds). Be aware that some platforms strip or restrict HTML for security.

How do I add a table in Markdown?

GitHub Flavored Markdown (GFM) tables use pipes: | col1 | col2 | and |---|---| separator. Basic Markdown doesn’t support tables – use HTML <table> tags instead. Our HTML Table Generator tool builds them visually.

Does this tool support emoji?

Yes – just type emoji directly: 🎉 or use Unicode escapes. Some renderers convert :emoji_name: shortcodes (like :smile:) to emoji – this converter passes them through as text. For automatic conversion, use a library like markdown-it-emoji.

Can I convert HTML email back to Markdown?

Yes, partially – use HTML → Markdown mode. The converter strips most HTML tags and converts common elements back to Markdown. Complex layouts (tables, custom styles) may not convert cleanly. For perfect round-trip, store originals in Markdown.

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