Markdown
Also known as: Markdown file, .md, .markdown
Markdown is a lightweight, plain-text formatting syntax that turns simple symbols into formatted text — `#` for headings, `*` for emphasis, and `-` for lists. It stays readable as raw text and converts cleanly to HTML.
- Plain-text formatting with simple symbols
- Common for README files, docs, and notes
- Converts cleanly to HTML
How Markdown works
Markdown lets you format text with a few intuitive marks instead of menus: `# Heading`, `bold`, `*italic*`, `- list item`, and `[text](link)`. Because the source is plain text, a `.md` file reads well even before it is rendered.
It is widely used for README files, documentation, notes apps, and forum posts, where authors want formatting without the overhead of HTML.
Markdown vs HTML
Markdown is essentially a friendlier shorthand that tools convert into HTML for display. It covers common formatting; for anything more complex, most Markdown processors also accept raw HTML inline.