Markdown to HTML Converter

Markdown to HTML Converter — Free, Live Preview & GFM

Writing in Markdown is fast and clean, but publishing often requires HTML. Paste any Markdown — README files, blog drafts, documentation — and get the HTML output and a rendered visual preview side by side, updating instantly as you type. No server, no signup, no install.

This Markdown to HTML converter uses the marked.js library, one of the fastest and most widely-used Markdown parsers. It supports GitHub Flavored Markdown (tables, task lists, strikethrough, autolinks), syntax-highlighted code blocks, and configurable output options. The rendered preview shows exactly how the HTML will look in a browser, including code highlighting via highlight.js.

How to Use the Markdown to HTML Converter

Converting Markdown to HTML takes three steps:

Paste your Markdown — drop any .md content into the left panel. The HTML code output and rendered preview both update in real time as you type.
Choose your options — toggle GFM support for tables and task lists, enable "Wrap in <html>" to generate a full HTML document, or toggle Br-style breaks to control how line endings are handled.
Get the output — switch between the "HTML Code" tab (raw markup to copy/paste) and the "Preview" tab (rendered visual). Click "Copy HTML" or "Download" to save your output as a .html file.

Markdown to HTML Examples

Here are concrete examples of what the converter produces:

Example — Headings and emphasis:

Input:  # Getting Started\n\n**Bold** and *italic* text.
Output: <h1>Getting Started</h1>\n<p><strong>Bold</strong> and <em>italic</em> text.</p>

Example — GFM table:

Input:  | Name  | Role  |\n| ----- | ----- |\n| Alice | Dev   |\n| Bob   | QA    |
Output: <table><thead><tr><th>Name</th><th>Role</th></tr></thead>
        <tbody><tr><td>Alice</td><td>Dev</td></tr>...</tbody></table>

Example — Code block with syntax highlighting:

Input:  ```javascript\nconsole.log('hello');\n```
Output: <pre><code class="hljs language-javascript">console.<span class="hljs-built_in">log</span>(<span class="hljs-string">'hello'</span>);</code></pre>

Example — Task list (GFM):

Input:  - [x] Write tests\n- [ ] Deploy to staging
Output: <ul>\n<li class="task-list-item"><input type="checkbox" checked> Write tests</li>\n...

Example — Bare URL autolink:

Input:  Visit https://example.com for more info.
Output: <p>Visit <a href="https://example.com">https://example.com</a> for more info.</p>

Markdown — What It Is and Why Converting to HTML Matters

Markdown is a lightweight plain-text format created by John Gruber that converts to HTML. Its simplicity makes it the standard for documentation, README files, blog posts, and knowledge bases. But many publishing platforms — CMSs, email clients, Confluence, SharePoint — require HTML input.

This is the gap this converter fills: you write in the fast, readable Markdown format, then convert to clean HTML for whatever system needs to render it. The converter uses marked.js, the same parser used internally by many major tools and documentation platforms.

Common Use Cases

Publishing Markdown content to a CMS: Write content in Markdown (faster, version-controllable), convert to HTML, and paste into WordPress, Webflow, or any CMS that accepts HTML input.
Generating HTML emails from Markdown: Writing HTML emails by hand is tedious. Write the email body in Markdown, convert to HTML, and wrap in your email template. The rendered preview shows exactly what recipients will see.
Previewing a README or .md file: Paste any Markdown file and instantly see how it renders — useful when you don't have a local Markdown editor or want to verify formatting before committing.
Building documentation for non-Markdown systems: GitHub renders Markdown natively, but Confluence, SharePoint, and similar tools need HTML. Convert README files here for documentation systems that require HTML input.
Learning what HTML Markdown generates: Write Markdown and see the exact HTML output — a practical way to understand which HTML elements each Markdown construct produces.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the HTML code tab and the rendered preview?

The HTML Code tab shows the raw HTML markup you can copy, paste, or use in your code. The Preview tab shows how that HTML renders visually in a browser — the actual appearance with styling. Both update in real time as you type. Use the code tab to inspect the markup or copy it; use the preview tab to see the final result.

Does this support GitHub Flavored Markdown tables?

Yes. Enable GFM mode in the options panel (it's on by default). Markdown pipe tables convert to proper <table><thead><tbody> HTML. Tables without a separator row (| --- |) will not convert correctly — the separator is required by the GFM spec.

What does "Sanitize" do and when should I use it?

When sanitize is enabled, the output HTML is cleaned to remove potentially dangerous elements: <script> tags, event handlers (onclick, onerror), and other cross-site scripting vectors. Enable sanitize when you're pasting the output into a system that will display it to end users. Disable it only for trusted technical content where you need full HTML fidelity (e.g., Markdown that contains intentional raw HTML passthrough).

Can I use the HTML output for email newsletters?

Yes, with caveats. Markdown converts to semantic HTML which is generally email-client safe. However, email clients need inline CSS for styling — this converter generates clean, unstyled HTML. You'll need to wrap the output in an email template that applies inline styles. The preview shows the raw rendering without email-client-specific styles.

What is marked.js?

marked is the JavaScript library this converter uses to parse Markdown into HTML. It runs entirely in your browser — no content is sent to any server. marked is one of the fastest and most battle-tested Markdown parsers available, powering major tools across the ecosystem. It handles CommonMark, GFM extensions, and configurable parsing options.

Resources

marked.js — GitHub — The Markdown parser powering this converter. Fast, flexible, and browser-compatible.
CommonMark Spec — The authoritative specification for standard Markdown syntax and behavior.
GitHub Flavored Markdown Spec — Official GFM documentation covering tables, task lists, strikethrough, and autolinks.