Markdown to HTML Converter

Complete Guide to Markdown to HTML Conversion

What is Markdown?

Markdown is a lightweight markup language created by John Gruber in 2004. It allows you to write formatted text using simple, readable syntax that can then be converted to HTML, PDF, or other formats. Markdown is widely used in documentation, README files, blog posts, and note-taking applications.

The syntax is designed to be easy to learn and write, while being powerful enough for complex documents. Our Markdown to HTML converter transforms your Markdown text into clean, semantic HTML that can be used in web pages, emails, or documentation.

Markdown Syntax Reference

1. Headers

Headers range from level 1 (largest) to level 6 (smallest). The number of # symbols indicates the level.

# H1 - Largest Header
## H2 - Second Level
### H3 - Third Level
#### H4 - Fourth Level
##### H5 - Fifth Level
###### H6 - Smallest Header

Example:

# This is a Main Heading
## This is a Subheading
### This is a Smaller Subheading

2. Emphasis

Emphasize text with various formatting options:

Style	Syntax	Output
Bold	**text** or __text__	text
Italic	*text* or _text_	text
Bold and Italic	***text*** or ___text___	text
Strikethrough	~~text~~	text

3. Lists

Unordered Lists

Use dashes, asterisks, or plus signs for bullet points:

- First item
- Second item
- Third item

Ordered Lists

Use numbers followed by periods:

1. First item
2. Second item
3. Third item

Nested Lists

- Main item
  - Sub-item 1
  - Sub-item 2
- Another main item

4. Links

Create hyperlinks with this syntax:

Type	Syntax
Inline link	[link text](https://example.com)
Link with title	[link text](https://example.com "title")
Reference link	[link text][reference] [reference]: https://example.com
Auto link	<https://example.com>

5. Images

Insert images with similar syntax to links:

Syntax	Description
	Basic image syntax
	Image with title attribute

6. Code

Display code in various ways:

Type	Syntax	Use Case
Inline code	`code here`	Short code snippets in paragraphs
Code block	```language code here ```	Multi-line code with syntax highlighting

Example:

Code block with language:
```javascript
function hello() {
  console.log("Hello, World!");
}
```

7. Blockquotes

Create quoted text using the > symbol:

> This is a blockquote
> It can span multiple lines
> 
> > And can be nested

8. Horizontal Rules

Add horizontal dividers using three or more dashes, asterisks, or underscores:

---
***
___

9. Tables

Create tables with pipes and dashes:

| Column 1 | Column 2 | Column 3 |
|---------|---------|---------|
| Row 1   | Data    | Data    |
| Row 2   | Data    | Data    |

Add alignment:

| Left | Center | Right |
|:-----|:------:|------:|
| Text | Text   | Text  |

10. Line Breaks

Add line breaks:

Soft break	Two spaces at end of line
Hard break	<br> tag

HTML Output Options

Sanitization

By default, our converter sanitizes the HTML output using DOMPurify. This removes potentially dangerous HTML elements and JavaScript code that could be used for XSS attacks.

Feature	Enabled	Disabled
Security	✓ Safe HTML	⚠ Original HTML (may contain scripts)
Use Case	User-generated content, documentation	Trusted content, debugging

Common Use Cases

Documentation Convert README files, API docs, and technical documentation	Blogging Write blog posts in Markdown and convert to HTML for publication
Email Content Create HTML emails from Markdown templates	CMS Integration Convert Markdown content to HTML for content management systems
Static Site Generation Convert Markdown to HTML for static site generators	Educational Content Create course materials and tutorials in HTML format

Tips & Best Practices

Writing Effective Markdown

• Use consistent heading hierarchy (H1 → H2 → H3)
• Keep paragraphs separated by blank lines
• Use meaningful link text instead of "click here"
• Add alt text to all images for accessibility
• Use code blocks with language identifiers for syntax highlighting

Security Considerations

• Always enable sanitization for user-generated content
• Review HTML output before publishing if sanitization is disabled
• Be cautious when converting Markdown from untrusted sources
• Test your HTML in various browsers before deployment

Performance Tips

• Large documents convert instantly thanks to efficient processing
• Use the preview mode to check formatting before copying
• Download large files instead of copying to avoid clipboard issues
• Clear input to start fresh conversions

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my Markdown secure when converted?

Yes, with sanitization enabled, the converter removes potentially dangerous HTML and scripts using DOMPurify, making the output safe for use in web pages.

Can I convert Markdown with syntax highlighting?

Yes! Use code blocks with language identifiers like ```javascript to enable syntax highlighting. The converter preserves these language hints in the HTML output.

What's the difference between preview and code view?

Preview mode shows how the HTML renders visually (like in a browser), while code view shows the raw HTML markup. Switch between modes to see both representations.

Can I convert GitHub Flavored Markdown (GFM)?

Yes, the converter supports many GFM features including tables, task lists, and code fences. Some advanced features may require additional configuration.

What happens to Markdown tables in the output?

Markdown tables are converted to proper HTML table elements with semantic markup, ensuring accessibility and compatibility with screen readers.

Advanced Features

Supported Extensions

Our converter supports various Markdown extensions and features:

• GitHub Flavored Markdown (GFM)
• Tables with alignment
• Strikethrough text
• Task lists (checkboxes)
• Autolinks
• Code blocks with language detection

Browser Compatibility

The converted HTML is compatible with all modern browsers:

Browser	Version	Status
Chrome	90+	✓ Full Support
Firefox	88+	✓ Full Support
Safari	14+	✓ Full Support
Edge	90+	✓ Full Support

Conclusion

Our Markdown to HTML converter provides a fast, secure, and reliable way to transform Markdown into HTML. Whether you're working on documentation, blog posts, or web content, this tool simplifies the conversion process with real-time preview, customizable options, and comprehensive output.

The combination of sanitization, preview modes, and easy copy/download features makes this tool perfect for both development and content creation workflows. Start converting your Markdown today and experience the seamless transformation to clean, semantic HTML.