Complete syntax reference

Markdown Cheat Sheet

Every Markdown syntax you need, shown next to its rendered output. Covers standard Markdown, GitHub Flavored Markdown, KaTeX math and Mermaid diagrams. Try any example live in the free Markpads editor.

Headings

Prefix a line with one to six # characters. More hashes = smaller heading (H1–H6).

Markdown	Renders as
# Heading 1	Heading 1
## Heading 2	Heading 2
###### Heading 6	Heading 6

Emphasis

Wrap text in asterisks or underscores for bold and italic.

Markdown	Renders as
bold	bold
italic	italic
*bold italic*	*bold italic*
~~strikethrough~~	~~strikethrough~~

Lists

Use -, * or + for bullets, and 1. for numbered lists. Indent two spaces to nest.

Markdown	Renders as
- Item one - Item two - Nested	Item one Item two Nested
1. First 2. Second	First Second

Task lists

A GitHub Flavored Markdown extension — render interactive checkboxes.

Markdown	Renders as
- [x] Done - [ ] To do	☑ Done ☐ To do

Links & images

Links use [text](url). Images are the same with a leading !.

Markdown	Renders as
[Markpads](https://markpads.co)	Markpads
![alt text](image.png)	→ embeds the image
<https://markpads.co>	https://markpads.co

Code

Backticks for inline code; triple backticks with a language for highlighted blocks.

Markdown	Renders as
Use `const x = 1` inline	Use `const x = 1` inline
```js const x = 1 ```	`const x = 1`

Blockquotes & rules

Prefix with > to quote. Three or more dashes make a horizontal rule.

Markdown	Renders as
> A quoted line	A quoted line
---

Tables

Pipes separate columns; the second row sets alignment with colons.

Markdown

Renders as

| Name | Role |
| --- | --- |
| Ada  | Eng  |

Name	Role
Ada	Eng

Math & diagrams

Markpads renders KaTeX math and Mermaid diagrams from fenced blocks.

Markdown	Renders as
$E = mc^2$	E = mc²
```mermaid graph LR; A-->B ```	→ renders a flowchart

Markdown cheat sheet FAQ

What is a Markdown cheat sheet?

A Markdown cheat sheet is a quick reference that lists Markdown syntax next to its rendered output, so you can recall how to write headings, bold text, lists, links, code blocks, tables and more without memorising the rules.

Does this cheat sheet cover GitHub Flavored Markdown?

Yes. It covers standard Markdown plus the GitHub Flavored Markdown (GFM) extensions — tables, task lists, strikethrough and autolinks — as well as KaTeX math and Mermaid diagrams supported by Markpads.

Where can I practise the Markdown syntax from this cheat sheet?

Open the free Markpads editor and type any example from this page. You will see the rendered result update live in the preview pane — no sign-up or installation required.

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