How to Convert Markdown to HTML and HTML Back to Markdown in the Browser
Learn which Markdown and HTML elements the converter handles in each direction, how paragraphs are detected, and how to copy the output.
Markdown to HTML Converter
Introduction
Markdown is quick to write but most CMS fields and email editors expect HTML, and the reverse is true when pulling content out of a page into a README. The Markdown to HTML Converter switches between the two formats for common elements and shows the result as the source is edited. The conversion runs in the browser with no upload.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Choose a direction with the mode buttons: Markdown to HTML or HTML to Markdown.
- Paste the source into the Markdown Source or HTML Source box; the label changes with the mode.
- Separate paragraphs with a blank line so the Markdown parser wraps each block in a p tag.
- Check the Generated HTML Output or Converted Markdown Output box, which updates as the input changes.
- Press Copy Output to copy the converted text.
Key Use Cases
- CMS Posts: Turn a Markdown draft with headings, bold text and links into HTML for a rich text field.
- README Extraction: Convert simple HTML from a docs page back into Markdown for a repository.
- Quick Checks: Confirm how a heading or link line will be marked up before publishing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Markdown syntax is supported?
Headings with one to three hash marks, bold with double asterisks, italics with single asterisks, links in [text](url) form and list items starting with a hyphen and space. Code blocks, images, tables, numbered lists and blockquotes are not converted and pass through as plain text.
Why are list items not wrapped in a ul tag?
The parser converts each hyphen line into an li element but does not add the surrounding ul, so a wrapper needs to be added after copying. Paragraph detection works by splitting on blank lines, and blocks that do not start with a heading or list item are wrapped in p tags.
What happens to HTML tags the reverse mode does not recognise?
HTML to Markdown handles h1 to h3, strong, em, a tags with an href attribute, li and p. Any other tag, such as div, span or img, is removed and only its text content remains, so check the output for lost structure.