Markdown Guide: From Basics to GitHub Flavored Markdown
6 min read · Updated June 2026
Markdown is the standard format for documentation, READMEs, blog posts, and technical writing. It is readable as plain text and converts to HTML everywhere.
Essential Syntax
| Markdown | Result |
|---|---|
| # Heading 1 | H1 heading |
| **bold** | bold |
| *italic* | italic |
| [link](url) | Hyperlink |
| ```code block``` | Fenced code block |
GitHub Flavored Markdown (GFM) Extensions
- Tables with pipe syntax
- Task lists with checkboxes
- Strikethrough with double tildes
- Autolinks for bare URLs
📝 Preview your Markdown
Use our Markdown Preview and Converter to write and preview Markdown side-by-side with GFM support.
The Bottom Line
- Markdown is the universal format for documentation and READMEs
- GFM adds tables, task lists, and strikethrough
- Always use fenced code blocks with language hints
- Preview before publishing to catch formatting issues
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only.