What is Markdown Preview?
Markdown is a lightweight markup language that lets you write formatted text — headings, bold, lists, links, code — using plain, readable syntax. It powers README files, GitHub issues, documentation, static-site content, and notes apps. A Markdown preview shows you the rendered HTML output side by side with your source as you type, so you can see exactly how your formatting will look before you publish.
This live previewer renders your Markdown to clean HTML entirely in your browser. Type on the left, watch the formatted result update instantly on the right. It supports the common syntax you use every day: ATX headings, bold and italic, inline code and fenced code blocks, ordered and unordered lists, links, images, blockquotes, and horizontal rules. Nothing is uploaded, so it is safe for private notes and drafts.
Use Cases
Here are the most common ways people use Markdown Preview every day.
Writing README and Docs
Before committing a README or documentation page, preview it here to confirm headings, code blocks, and links render the way you expect — no need to push and refresh GitHub to check.
Drafting GitHub Issues and PRs
Get the formatting of an issue, comment, or pull-request description right the first time. Draft it in the preview, then paste the finished Markdown.
Learning Markdown
New to Markdown? The side-by-side view is the fastest way to learn — type a symbol and immediately see what it does, from # headings to fenced ``` code blocks.
Notes and Content Drafts
Write blog drafts, meeting notes, or static-site content in Markdown and preview the formatting live before exporting or pasting into your CMS.
Examples
Headings and emphasis
Markdown symbols become formatted HTML instantly.
# Title
Some **bold** and *italic* text. An <h1> heading followed by a paragraph with bold and italic A fenced code block
Triple backticks render a monospaced code block.
```js
const x = 1;
``` A styled, monospaced code block Markdown Preview vs Push-and-check on GitHub
A live local previewer versus committing and refreshing to see the result.
| Feature | Toolorah | Push-and-check on GitHub |
|---|---|---|
| Instant feedback | Yes — live as you type | Commit, push, refresh |
| Works offline / privately | Yes — in-browser | No — needs the platform |
| Side-by-side source + output | Yes | No |
| Good for learning Markdown | Yes | Slow feedback loop |
Tips for Using Markdown Preview
- Use ATX headings (# Title, ## Section) — the number of # signs sets the heading level from 1 to 6.
- Wrap inline code in single backticks and multi-line code in triple-backtick fences for proper formatting.
- Leave a blank line between paragraphs — Markdown treats consecutive lines as a single paragraph otherwise.
- Links are [text](https://url) and images are . The preview opens links safely in a new tab.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Markdown features are supported?
The common essentials: headings, bold, italic, strikethrough, inline code, fenced code blocks, ordered and unordered lists, links, images, blockquotes, and horizontal rules. It covers the syntax you use in READMEs and issues every day.
Is my text uploaded anywhere?
No. The Markdown is converted to HTML locally in your browser as you type. Nothing is sent to a server or stored, so it is safe for private notes and unpublished drafts.
Is the preview safe from malicious HTML?
Yes. Raw HTML in your input is escaped rather than executed, and link/image URLs are sanitised, so the preview cannot run scripts.
Does this match how GitHub renders Markdown?
It follows standard Markdown closely for the common syntax. GitHub adds extensions like task lists and tables and applies its own styling, so very advanced documents may differ slightly — but everyday formatting matches.
Can I copy the rendered HTML?
The preview shows the rendered result. To reuse the HTML, your browser's "Copy" on the selection works, or keep writing in Markdown and let your platform render it on publish.