Markdown Cheat Sheet

Quick reference for all markdown syntax — from basics to Mermaid diagrams and LaTeX math. Click any example to copy the syntax.

Headings

All heading levels
Syntax
# Heading 1
## Heading 2
### Heading 3
#### Heading 4
Result

Heading 1

Heading 2

Heading 3

Heading 4

Text Formatting

Bold
Syntax
**bold text**
Result

bold text

Italic
Syntax
*italic text*
Result

italic text

Strikethrough
Syntax
~~strikethrough~~
Result

strikethrough

Inline code
Syntax
`inline code`
Result

inline code

Bold + italic combined
Syntax
**bold and _italic_**
Result

bold and italic

Lists

Unordered list
Syntax
- First item
- Second item
  - Nested item
- Third item
Result
  • First item
  • Second item
  • Nested item
  • Third item
Ordered list
Syntax
1. First item
2. Second item
3. Third item
Result
  1. 1.First item
  2. 2.Second item
  3. 3.Third item
Task list
Syntax
- [x] Completed task
- [ ] Pending task
- [ ] Another task
Result
  • Completed task
  • Pending task
  • Another task

Blockquotes

Single blockquote
Syntax
> This is a blockquote.
> It can span multiple lines.
Result

This is a blockquote. It can span multiple lines.

Code Blocks

Fenced code block (JavaScript)
Syntax
```javascript
function greet(name) {
  return `Hello, ${name}!`
}
```
Result
function greet(name) {
return `Hello, ${name}!`
}
Bash commands
Syntax
```bash
npm install && npm run build
```
Result
npm install && npm run build

Tables

Basic table
Syntax
| Name     | Price  | Native |
|----------|--------|--------|
| OpenMark | $9.99  | ✓      |
| VS Code  | Free   | —      |
Result
NamePriceNative
OpenMark$9.99
VS CodeFree
Column alignment
Syntax
| Left | Center | Right |
|:-----|:------:|------:|
| text | text   | text  |
Result
LeftCenterRight
texttexttext

Horizontal Rules

Divider
Syntax
---
Result

Math (LaTeX / KaTeX)

Inline math
Syntax
The formula is $E = mc^2$.
Result

The formula is E = mc².

Display math
Syntax
$$
\frac{\partial f}{\partial x} = 2x
$$
Result
∂f/∂x = 2x
Common operators
Syntax
$\frac{a}{b}$  $x^2$  $x_i$  $\sqrt{x}$  $\sum_{i=0}^{n}$
Result
a/bxᵢ√xΣᵢ₌₀ⁿ

Mermaid Diagrams

Flowchart
Syntax
```mermaid
flowchart TD
  A[Start] --> B{Decision?}
  B -->|Yes| C[Do it]
  B -->|No| D[Skip]
```
Result
Flowchart renders here in OpenMark
Start
{Decision?}
Yes ↙↘ No
Do it
Skip
Sequence diagram
Syntax
```mermaid
sequenceDiagram
  Client->>API: GET /data
  API->>DB: SELECT *
  DB-->>API: rows
  API-->>Client: 200 OK
```
Result
Sequence diagram renders here in OpenMark
Client→ GET /dataAPI
API→ SELECT *DB
Gantt chart
Syntax
```mermaid
gantt
  title Sprint
  dateFormat MM-DD
  Task 1 :done, 02-01, 02-07
  Task 2 :active, 02-07, 02-14
```
Result
Gantt chart renders here in OpenMark
Task 1
Task 2

Footnotes

Footnote reference and definition
Syntax
This needs a citation.[^1]

[^1]: Source: The paper, 2024.
Result

This needs a citation.[1]


1. Source: The paper, 2024.

Want more depth? The Markdown Cheat Sheet for Mac Users blog post covers shortcuts, editor comparisons, and tips that aren't obvious.

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