Markdown guide
Format anything with a few symbols.
Markdown turns plain text into headings, lists, links and tables. Each topic here is short, with an example of what you type and what you get.
Getting started
Text
- Paragraphs and line breaksLeave a blank line between paragraphs.
- HeadingsStart a line with # for a heading. More #s mean a smaller heading.
- Bold and italicWrap text in * for italic, ** for bold, *** for both.
- StrikethroughWrap text in two tildes: ~~like this~~.
- Inline codeWrap code, file names and commands in `backticks`.
- Showing symbols literallyPut a backslash before a symbol to stop it formatting.
- Special charactersType symbols directly, or use HTML codes like ©.
Structure
- BlockquotesStart a line with > to quote it.
- Bulleted and numbered listsStart lines with - for bullets, or 1. for numbers.
- Nested listsIndent an item to put it inside the item above.
- Task listsCheckboxes: - [ ] for to do, - [x] for done.
- Horizontal linesThree dashes on their own line draw a dividing line.
Links & images
Code, tables, diagrams & math
- Code blocksPut ``` on the lines before and after a block of code.
- TablesSeparate columns with | and put a line of dashes under the header.
- DiagramsWrite flowcharts, timelines and more as text with Mermaid.
- Math equationsWrite formulas in LaTeX: $…$ in a sentence, $$ … $$ on their own lines.
- Writing LaTeX mathThe LaTeX commands for fractions, powers, roots, symbols and more.
Using Prosedown
Write Markdown without memorizing it.
Try it free for 14 daysProsedown shows your document styled as you type, with the Markdown one click away. This guide is built in: press F1.