What Is Markdown? Definition & Examples

Markdown is a lightweight markup language that uses plain-text formatting syntax. Simple symbols like # for headings and * for emphasis let you format text without a complex editor.

Markdown is popular for documentation because it is easy to write, easy to read even in raw form, and converts cleanly to other formats like HTML or PDF. It is the default format for README files and many static-site documentation tools.

← Back to the full glossary

Frequently asked questions

Why is Markdown popular for documentation?

Markdown is fast to write, readable as plain text, version-control friendly, and easy to convert into HTML, PDF, and other formats.

Related terms

HTML (HyperText Markup Language)

HTML (HyperText Markup Language) is the standard language for creating web pages.

PDF (Portable Document Format)

PDF (Portable Document Format) is a file format that preserves document formatting across different devices and platforms.

README

A README is a text file that introduces and explains a project, common in software development.

Documentation

Documentation is written material that explains how something works, how to use it, or how to perform a task.

Create Better Documentation with Folge

Turn your processes into clear, professional step-by-step guides. Folge automatically captures your workflow and exports to PDF, Word, HTML, and more.

Windows Download

System Requirements: Windows 7 ( partial support), 8, 8.1, 10, 11 (64-bit only). OSX > 10.10. Available in 🇬🇧, 🇫🇷, 🇩🇪, 🇪🇸 , 🇮🇹, 🇳🇱, 🇵🇹/🇧🇷 and 🇯🇵 languages.

No credit card required • Free forever up to 5 guides

What Is Markdown?

Frequently asked questions

Related terms

Create Better Documentation with Folge

Email me download link