About the Handiwork Markdown to HTML Previewer
The Markdown Previewer renders your Markdown live and shows the generated HTML side by side. Switch between a rendered preview and HTML source, load a sample to explore supported syntax, and copy the HTML output — ideal for drafting README files, documentation, and blog posts.
How to use the Handiwork Markdown to HTML Previewer
- Type or paste Markdown into the editor, or load the sample.
- Switch between rendered preview and HTML source views.
- Copy the generated HTML when you need it elsewhere.
What is Markdown?
Markdown is a lightweight plain-text formatting syntax that converts to HTML. Simple symbols create rich formatting: # for headings, * for emphasis and lists, and backticks for code. It is the standard for README files, GitHub, documentation sites, and many note-taking apps.
Preview before you publish
A live preview catches formatting mistakes — a broken list, an unclosed code block, or a malformed link — before you commit a README or publish a post. Seeing the HTML output also helps when you need to paste formatted content into a CMS.
Exactly which syntax is supported
This previewer uses a small, purpose-built Markdown renderer rather than a full CommonMark or GitHub Flavored Markdown library. Supported syntax: ATX headings (# through ######), fenced code blocks (```), blockquotes (>), unordered lists (-, *, +) and ordered lists (1.), horizontal rules, bold (** or __), italic (* or _), inline code, strikethrough (~~), and inline links and images. Nested/indented lists, tables, task-list checkboxes, reference-style links, and setext (underlined) headings are not currently supported.
Safe by design
Your Markdown source is HTML-escaped before any formatting is applied, so raw HTML you paste in is shown as literal text rather than executed — there is no way to inject a <script> tag or arbitrary markup through this previewer. Link and image URLs are also checked: javascript:, vbscript:, and data: URLs are blocked in links, and only safe data:image/ URLs are allowed for embedded images.
Continue this workflow
Use the adjacent tool when the next step calls for a different input, output, or method.
Assumptions and limitations
- This is a lightweight, purpose-built renderer, not a full CommonMark or GitHub Flavored Markdown implementation — tables, nested/indented lists, task-list checkboxes, reference-style links, footnotes, and setext headings are not supported.
- Only inline link and image syntax is recognized; raw autolinked URLs (bare https://example.com text) are not automatically turned into links.
- The HTML output is a snapshot for copying elsewhere. Pasting it into a CMS with its own sanitizer or Markdown engine can still change the result.
Sources and standards
These authoritative references were used to verify the method and guidance on this page.
Frequently asked questions
Can I copy the generated HTML?
Yes. Alongside the rendered preview you get clean HTML output that you can copy into any website or CMS.
Which Markdown features are supported?
Headings, bold and italic text, strikethrough, inline code, fenced code blocks, blockquotes, ordered and unordered lists, horizontal rules, and inline links and images. Tables, nested lists, task checkboxes, and reference-style links are not currently supported.
Is it safe to paste Markdown from an untrusted source?
Yes. The source is HTML-escaped before rendering, so any raw HTML or script tags in the input are shown as plain text rather than executed, and dangerous link schemes like javascript: are blocked.
Does it support GitHub-specific syntax like tables or task lists?
Not yet. This is a lightweight renderer covering the most common Markdown syntax rather than the full GitHub Flavored Markdown extension set.