The quick answer

Markdown uses ordinary punctuation to describe a document. A hash starts a heading, asterisks add emphasis, brackets create links, and backticks mark code. Try the examples in the live editor.

Headings and emphasis

# Document title
## Section title
### Subsection

**Bold** and *italic* text.

Use heading levels to describe the content hierarchy rather than to choose a visual size. A predictable outline helps people scan a document and navigate with assistive technology.

Links, lists, and quotes

[A useful link](https://example.com)

- First item
- Second item

1. First step
2. Next step

> A quoted passage.

Use descriptive link text. An image uses the same structure as a link with an exclamation mark in front; the bracketed text should describe the image.

Code and dialects

Wrap inline code in single backticks. For multiple lines, use an opening and closing line of three backticks and optionally name the language after the opening fence. Tables, task lists, footnotes, diagrams, and math are extensions whose support varies by application. Check the destination before relying on them.