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Markdown is plain text with lightweight symbols for headings, emphasis, lists, links, code, and more. The core syntax is broadly portable, but tables, task lists, footnotes, callouts, math, and diagrams depend on the processor—such as CommonMark, GitHub Flavored Markdown (GFM), Obsidian, or Typora.
Fast copy-and-paste reference
| Purpose | Type this | Support |
|---|---|---|
| Heading | # Heading |
Core |
| Italic | *italic* |
Core |
| Bold | **bold** |
Core |
| Bold italic | ***bold italic*** |
Core |
| Link | [Text](https://example.com) |
Core |
| Image |  |
Core |
| Unordered list | - Item |
Core |
| Ordered list | 1. Item |
Core |
| Quote | > Quoted text |
Core |
| Inline code | `code` |
Core |
| Code block | ```text ... ``` |
Widely supported |
| Horizontal rule | --- |
Core |
| Table | | A | B | |
Extension/GFM |
| Task | - [ ] Todo |
GFM and many apps |
| Strikethrough | ~~deleted~~ |
GFM-style |
For the formal core rules, see the CommonMark specification. The Markdown Guide cheat sheet is another useful printable reference.
Basic Markdown syntax
Headings
Prefix a line with one to six hash characters. A space after the hashes is safest.
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## Heading 2
### Heading 3Setext headings are an alternative:
Heading 1
=========
Heading 2
---------Paragraphs and line breaks
Separate paragraphs with a blank line. A single newline is often treated as a soft wrap. For a hard line break, use two trailing spaces, a backslash, or (where allowed) <br>.
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First line
Second lineWhitespace is structural: blank lines and indentation can change whether text belongs to a paragraph, list, quote, or code block.
Emphasis and escaping
*italic* or _italic_
**bold** or __bold__
***bold italic***
*literal asterisks*
# literal hashBackslash escapes prevent punctuation from being interpreted as Markdown. Asterisks are usually more predictable than underscores inside words.
Lists
- First item
- Second item
- Nested item
- Another nested item
1. First step
2. Second stepIndent nested content consistently. A blank line plus indentation keeps a continuation paragraph inside a list item:
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- First item
Continuation paragraph.
- Second itemBlockquotes
> A quoted paragraph.
>
> A second paragraph.
>> A nested quoteCode
Use backticks for short code:
Run `git status` in the terminal.Use fenced blocks for multiline code. Add a language identifier for highlighting when the renderer supports it:
```javascript
const message = "Hello, world!";
console.log(message);
```Indented code blocks (four spaces) are also part of classic Markdown. If the code contains three backticks, surround it with a longer fence.
Rank #2
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- Take Notes Using the Cornell Note-taking System: This book was designed to mimic the “Cornell Note-Taking”. Instead of folding and dividing the paper yourself, each page is split into the three main sections - cues & questions, notes, and summary. There is a space at the top to write the date and subject as well as the book or source that is being discussed. This type of note-taking strategy is supposed to be one of the best in helping you retain the information with plenty of space to write.
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Links
[OpenAI](https://www.openai.com)
[OpenAI](https://www.openai.com "OpenAI")
<https://www.example.com>
<[email protected]>
[Guide](docs/guide.md)
[Section](#section-name)Reference links keep repeated URLs out of the prose:
[OpenAI][site]
[site]: https://www.openai.comRelative links resolve from the current file, so moving a document can break them. GitHub explains repository-relative links and anchors in its formatting documentation.
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Images
[](https://example.com)Use meaningful alt text. In repositories, relative paths generally keep images working after a clone; verify that the file is committed and that the publishing system permits remote images.
Horizontal rules
---
***
___Common extensions
Tables
Tables are not part of original core Markdown, but are supported by GFM and many modern tools.
| Name | Role | Score |
|:---|:---:|---:|
| Ada | Developer | 10 |
| Linus | Creator | 9 |Use :--- for left alignment, :---: for center, and ---: for right. Tables are unsuitable for merged cells or complex nested content.
Rank #3
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- DURABLE HARDCOVER DESIGN WITH PREMIUM FEEL – Crafted with a leather-feel marbled hardcover and sturdy double-ring binding, our A4 professional notebook protects your notes while looking sleek and modern. It is durable for everyday use, from backpacks to briefcases, making it perfect for college students, teachers, and office professionals.
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- DESIGNED WITH FUNCTIONAL FEATURES – Stay organized with built-in front and back pockets for loose notes or stickers, elastic closure band to keep pages secure on the go, and a pen loop holder to keep your favorite writing tool within reach. It also comes with free tab label stickers so you can customize each removable divider! Our notebook delivers more flexibility — combining a planner, organizer, and journal all in one!
Task lists and strikethrough
- [ ] Incomplete task
- [x] Completed task
~~Text removed~~These are strongly associated with GFM and are also implemented by Obsidian, Typora, and other applications.
Footnotes
A statement with a note.[^1]
[^1]: Footnote text.Support depends on the destination. GitHub supports footnotes in much of its content, but its documentation notes that wikis do not support them.
Raw HTML and comments
<strong>Bold text</strong>
<br>
<!-- Hidden comment in renderers that allow HTML comments. -->HTML may be sanitized or disabled. Obsidian does not process Markdown formatting inside elements such as <div>, <span>, and <table>; see its Markdown help.
Markdown flavors: what travels between tools?
| Feature | CommonMark | GitHub | Obsidian | Typora | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Headings, paragraphs, emphasis, lists, quotes, links, images | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Core syntax |
| Tables | No core requirement | Yes | Yes | Yes | Extension |
| Task lists | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Flavor-dependent |
| Strikethrough | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | GFM-style extension |
| Footnotes | No | Supported in many contexts | Yes | Yes | Check document type |
| Callouts | No | Not generic | Yes | Not universal | Application-specific |
| Wikilinks | No | No generic support | Yes | Not universal | Obsidian syntax |
| LaTeX math | No core requirement | Destination-dependent | Yes | Yes | Requires math support |
| Mermaid diagrams | No | Selected contexts | App-supported | Supported | Renderer-dependent |
CommonMark
CommonMark formalizes and tests the core language, making it a practical portability baseline. It does not attempt to include every extension. Read the project overview at commonmark.org and the specification source at GitHub.
GitHub Flavored Markdown
GFM builds on CommonMark with tables, task lists, strikethrough, bare-URL autolinks, mentions, issue references, emoji codes, and GitHub-specific rendering. GitHub’s specification is documented at github.github.com/gfm, with background in GitHub Engineering.
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Obsidian syntax
[[Internal note]]
![[Image.png]]
> [!note]
Callout content
==Highlighted text==
%%Hidden comment%%Obsidian supports CommonMark, GFM, and LaTeX, then adds wikilinks, embeds, block references, callouts, comments, and highlights. These additions are not portable Markdown.
Typora
Typora provides live preview and supports tables, task lists, math, diagrams, front matter, and export features. Its documentation specifically describes GFM-style fenced code blocks: Typora Markdown Reference.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why Markdown renders differently
“My table is plain text.”
The destination may implement CommonMark without table extensions. Use the target platform’s documented flavor or replace the table with a list.
“My list is not nested.”
Check spaces before the nested marker and keep continuation paragraphs indented. Ordered markers such as 100. require more indentation than 1. in some parsers.
“My line break disappeared.”
A newline inside a paragraph is usually a soft wrap. Use two trailing spaces, a backslash, or <br> when your renderer supports it. Editors can strip trailing spaces, making the backslash clearer.
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- 【Metal Twin-wire Construction】Our wire-bound spiral journal notebook has a sturdy gold-color double wire spiral with easy-to-turn pages and keeps pages attached reliably. Metal wire ring makes it easy to tear out pages without disturbing the rest of the pretty notebook. The 180°flat binding makes it easy to take notes with either hand, making it easier to read and more efficient to keep track of things.
- 【Inner Pocket & Elastic Closure】 Our work journal notebook back cover includes an expandable inner storage pocket to keep track of appointment cards, notes, receipts, and more, which ensure miscellaneous items secure. Come with an elastic closure band, not allowing the notebook to open accidentally, protecting your privacy. Perfect for all your writing, note-taking, traveling, etc.
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“My code is not highlighted.”
Confirm that the opening fence has a recognized language identifier, the closing fence matches, and the destination enables highlighting. Highlighting is a renderer feature, not core Markdown.
“My image is broken.”
- Check the path relative to the Markdown file.
- Confirm capitalization and filename characters.
- Commit or upload the image.
- Check whether the host blocks hotlinking or the renderer blocks remote images.
“My heading link does not work.”
Heading IDs vary. GitHub generally lowercases text, replaces spaces with hyphens, removes punctuation, and adds a numeric suffix for duplicates. Static-site generators and CMSs can use different rules.
“It works on GitHub but not elsewhere.”
Identify the destination’s parser—CommonMark, GFM, Markdown-it, Python-Markdown, Pandoc, or an application variant—then replace extensions with core syntax or enable the required plugin.
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The callout syntax is Obsidian-specific. It will not become a callout in a generic CommonMark preview.
Choosing an editor
Markdown itself is an open text format; you do not need to buy software.
- VS Code: free on Windows, macOS, and Linux, with Markdown preview and extensions; a good fit for Git repositories and developer documentation. Download VS Code.
- Obsidian: its core app is free without limits or sign-up. Optional Sync was listed at $4 USD per user per month billed annually or $5 monthly, and Publish at $8 per site per month annually or $10 monthly; prices checked August 18, 2026. See Obsidian pricing.
- Typora: a focused live-preview editor with a 15-day trial and a listed price of $14.99 before tax as checked August 18, 2026. See Typora.
Choose based on workflow: repository editing favors VS Code, linked local notes favor Obsidian, and distraction-free live preview favors Typora. A plain-text editor plus the destination’s preview is enough for basic Markdown.
Quick Recap
Portable-writing checklist
- Prefer core headings, paragraphs, emphasis, lists, quotes, code, links, images, and rules.
- Label tables, tasks, strikethrough, footnotes, math, diagrams, and callouts as extensions.
- Use blank lines and consistent indentation.
- Use descriptive image alt text and test relative paths after moving files.
- Preview in the actual publishing system before release.
- Use raw HTML only when its security and parsing behavior are known.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
