 [![Markdown Guide](https://www.markdownguide.org/assets/images/markdown-mark-white.svg) Markdown Guide](https://www.markdownguide.org/)

[Get Started](https://www.markdownguide.org/getting-started/) [Cheat Sheet](https://www.markdownguide.org/cheat-sheet/) [Basic Syntax](https://www.markdownguide.org/basic-syntax/) [Extended Syntax](https://www.markdownguide.org/extended-syntax/) [Hacks](https://www.markdownguide.org/hacks/) [Tools](https://www.markdownguide.org/tools/) [Book](https://www.markdownguide.org/book/)

# Markdown Cheat Sheet

A quick reference to the Markdown syntax.

## Overview[](https://www.markdownguide.org/cheat-sheet/#overview)

This Markdown cheat sheet provides a quick overview of all the Markdown syntax elements. It can’t cover every edge case, so if you need more information about any of these elements, refer to the reference guides for [basic syntax](https://www.markdownguide.org/basic-syntax/) and [extended syntax](https://www.markdownguide.org/extended-syntax/).

## Basic Syntax[](https://www.markdownguide.org/cheat-sheet/#basic-syntax)

These are the elements outlined in John Gruber’s original design document. All Markdown applications support these elements.

|Element|Markdown Syntax|
|---|---|
|[Heading](https://www.markdownguide.org/basic-syntax/#headings)|`# H1   ## H2   ### H3`|
|[Bold](https://www.markdownguide.org/basic-syntax/#bold)|`**bold text**`|
|[Italic](https://www.markdownguide.org/basic-syntax/#italic)|`*italicized text*`|
|[Blockquote](https://www.markdownguide.org/basic-syntax/#blockquotes-1)|`> blockquote`|
|[Ordered List](https://www.markdownguide.org/basic-syntax/#ordered-lists)|`1. First item   2. Second item   3. Third item   `|
|[Unordered List](https://www.markdownguide.org/basic-syntax/#unordered-lists)|`- First item   - Second item   - Third item   `|
|[Code](https://www.markdownguide.org/basic-syntax/#code)|`` `code` ``|
|[Horizontal Rule](https://www.markdownguide.org/basic-syntax/#horizontal-rules)|`---`|
|[Link](https://www.markdownguide.org/basic-syntax/#links)|`[title](https://www.example.com)`|
|[Image](https://www.markdownguide.org/basic-syntax/#images-1)|`![alt text](image.jpg)`|

## Extended Syntax[](https://www.markdownguide.org/cheat-sheet/#extended-syntax)

These elements extend the basic syntax by adding additional features. Not all Markdown applications support these elements.

|Element|Markdown Syntax|
|---|---|
|[Table](https://www.markdownguide.org/extended-syntax/#tables)|`\| Syntax \| Description \|   \| ----------- \| ----------- \|   \| Header \| Title \|   \| Paragraph \| Text \|`|
|[Fenced Code Block](https://www.markdownguide.org/extended-syntax/#fenced-code-blocks)|` ```   {     "firstName": "John",     "lastName": "Smith",     "age": 25   }   ``` `|
|[Footnote](https://www.markdownguide.org/extended-syntax/#footnotes)|`Here's a sentence with a footnote. [^1]      [^1]: This is the footnote.`|
|[Heading ID](https://www.markdownguide.org/extended-syntax/#heading-ids)|`### My Great Heading {#custom-id}`|
|[Definition List](https://www.markdownguide.org/extended-syntax/#definition-lists)|`term   : definition`|
|[Strikethrough](https://www.markdownguide.org/extended-syntax/#strikethrough)|`~~The world is flat.~~`|
|[Task List](https://www.markdownguide.org/extended-syntax/#task-lists)|`- [x] Write the press release   - [ ] Update the website   - [ ] Contact the media`|
|[Emoji](https://www.markdownguide.org/extended-syntax/#emoji)  <br>(see also [Copying and Pasting Emoji](https://www.markdownguide.org/extended-syntax/#copying-and-pasting-emoji))|`That is so funny! :joy:`|
|[Highlight](https://www.markdownguide.org/extended-syntax/#highlight)|`I need to highlight these ==very important words==.`|
|[Subscript](https://www.markdownguide.org/extended-syntax/#subscript)|`H~2~O`|
|[Superscript](https://www.markdownguide.org/extended-syntax/#superscript)|`X^2^`|

## Downloads[](https://www.markdownguide.org/cheat-sheet/#downloads)

You can [download this cheat sheet as a Markdown file](https://www.markdownguide.org/assets/markdown-cheat-sheet.md) for use in your Markdown application.

[![Markdown Guide book cover](https://mdg.imgix.net/assets/images/book-cover.jpg)](https://www.markdownguide.org/book/)

##### Take your Markdown skills to the next level.

Learn Markdown in 60 pages. Designed for both novices and experts, _The Markdown Guide_ book is a comprehensive reference that has everything you need to get started and master Markdown syntax.

###### Want to learn more Markdown?

Don't stop now! 🚀 Star the [GitHub repository](https://github.com/mattcone/markdown-guide) and then enter your email address below to receive new Markdown tutorials via email. No spam!

- [Overview](https://www.markdownguide.org/cheat-sheet/#overview)
- [Basic Syntax](https://www.markdownguide.org/cheat-sheet/#basic-syntax)
- [Extended Syntax](https://www.markdownguide.org/cheat-sheet/#extended-syntax)
- [Downloads](https://www.markdownguide.org/cheat-sheet/#downloads)

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