Markdown Cheatsheet for Writers (Not Just Developers)
Every markdown syntax you'll actually use, with examples and a live preview workflow.
Why markdown wins for writers
Markdown is fast to write, portable across tools, easy to version-control, and forces you to focus on structure rather than styling. Once you know it, you stop reaching for Word or Google Docs for anything but collaborative editing.
It's supported natively by GitHub, GitLab, Notion, Obsidian, Ghost, Hugo, Jekyll, Bear, iA Writer and every static-site generator worth using.
The syntax you'll use every day
Headings
`#` through `######` for H1 through H6. One blank line before and after.
Emphasis
`*italic*` or `_italic_`; `**bold**` or `__bold__`; `***bold italic***`.
Lists
`- item` for bullets; `1. item` for numbered. Indent two spaces for nested lists.
Links and images
`[link text](https://example.com)` and ``.
Code
Backticks for inline `code`, triple-backticks for blocks with optional language.
The syntax worth memorising
Blockquotes
`> ` at the start of a paragraph. Nest with `> >`.
Horizontal rules
Three or more dashes on their own line.
Tables
Pipes and dashes — awkward to type by hand, but every editor has a keyboard shortcut or table generator.
Workflow tips
Keep a live preview open while you write. Even veterans occasionally miss a closing backtick or a mismatched bracket.
Use a Markdown Previewer for one-off drafts you're pasting into Slack, an email or a CMS that doesn't render markdown natively.
Key takeaways
Markdown is fast, portable, and enforces good structure.
Memorise headings, emphasis, lists, links and code — the rest you can look up.
Live preview catches syntax errors before they hit publish.
Frequently asked questions
- Which markdown flavour is standard?
- CommonMark is the most portable; GitHub Flavored Markdown (GFM) is the most common extension set.
- Can I use HTML inside markdown?
- Most renderers allow it, but avoid it — it defeats the portability benefit.
- Is markdown accessible?
- Yes — when rendered, it produces semantic HTML that screen readers navigate cleanly.
- How do I write footnotes?
- `[^1]` in text, then `[^1]: content` at the end. Not universally supported — check your renderer.
- Does it support tables?
- GFM does, with `|` and `---` syntax. Most modern renderers support it too.
- Can I collaborate on markdown files?
- Yes, via Git, Notion, HackMD or any shared file system.
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