Which Markdown flavors does the cheatsheet cover?

Basic Markdown (headings, emphasis, lists, links, images, code), GitHub-Flavored Markdown (GFM: strikethrough, task lists, tables, alerts, autolinks), CommonMark spec essentials, and extended flavors like MultiMarkdown/pandoc/Obsidian (footnotes, math, mermaid, definition lists, emoji shortcodes). Each entry is tagged with a flavor-support matrix so you can see exactly where a feature works.

How many syntax entries are included?

60+ entries across 10 categories: headings, emphasis, lists, links, images, code, tables, blockquotes, rules, and GFM/extended (alerts, task lists, footnotes, strikethrough, math, mermaid, autolinks, emoji, definition lists, raw HTML, escaping, comments, and more).

Can I copy the example source from each card?

Yes. Every card has a Copy button that copies the exact Markdown source to your clipboard. There is also a per-card 'rendered output' panel showing the live-rendered HTML so you can see exactly how each syntax element renders.

Is there a sandbox where I can test my own Markdown?

Yes — a scratch pad at the bottom of the page lets you type any Markdown and see it rendered live in real time. You can also deep-link to any card via its anchor (#h-headings, #gfm-alerts, etc.) and search across all entries with fuzzy matching.

What extra features does this tool have compared to others?

(1) 60+ syntax entries across 10 categories. (2) Searchable with fuzzy match. (3) Per-element live rendered output. (4) Flavor-support matrix (CommonMark/GFM/GitLab/pandoc/Obsidian). (5) Copy button per card. (6) Scratch pad to test any snippet. (7) Deep-link anchors per category. (8) Category filter chips. (9) History of recently viewed cards (localStorage, max 20). (10) Shareable URL with search + filter. (11) Light/dark rendered output. (12) Printable layout. 100% client-side — no tracking, works offline.

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Markdown Syntax Cheatsheet & Reference

A searchable Markdown syntax cheatsheet with 60+ entries across basic Markdown, GFM, CommonMark, and extended flavors (alerts, task lists, footnotes, strikethrough, math, mermaid, autolinks, emoji). Each card shows source + live rendered output + a flavor-support matrix (CommonMark / GFM / GitLab / pandoc / Obsidian) and a copy button. Scratch pad to test any snippet. 100% client-side — no network.

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Search 65 syntax entries

65 of 65 entries

Headings6

Heading 1 (ATX)

Single hash followed by a space. CommonMark spec heading style.

● CommonMark● GFM● GitLab● pandoc● Obsidian

# Heading 1

#h1#title#atx

Heading 2 (ATX)

● CommonMark● GFM● GitLab● pandoc● Obsidian

## Heading 2

#h2#subtitle#atx

Heading 3 (ATX)

● CommonMark● GFM● GitLab● pandoc● Obsidian

### Heading 3

#h3#atx

Heading 4–6

ATX headings support 1–6 hash signs.

● CommonMark● GFM● GitLab● pandoc● Obsidian

#### Heading 4 ##### Heading 5 ###### Heading 6

#h4#h5#h6

Setext Heading

Underlined with = (h1) or - (h2). CommonMark supports this; GFM prefers ATX.

● CommonMark● GFM● GitLab● pandoc● Obsidian

Heading 1 ========= Heading 2 ---------

#setext#underline

Heading Custom ID

Attach an explicit id for anchor links. pandoc / Obsidian / markdown-it anchor plugin.

○ CommonMark○ GFM○ GitLab● pandoc● Obsidian

## My Heading {#custom-id}

#anchor#id#pandoc

Emphasis8

Bold

● CommonMark● GFM● GitLab● pandoc● Obsidian

**bold text**

#strong#asterisk

Italic

● CommonMark● GFM● GitLab● pandoc● Obsidian

*italic text*

#em#asterisk

Bold + Italic

● CommonMark● GFM● GitLab● pandoc● Obsidian

***bold and italic***

#strong#em#asterisk

Underscore Emphasis

Underscores cannot span words (CommonMark) — only word boundaries.

● CommonMark● GFM● GitLab● pandoc● Obsidian

__bold__ _italic_

#underscore#strong#em

Strikethrough

GFM extension. Double tilde.

○ CommonMark● GFM● GitLab○ pandoc○ Obsidian

~~struck~~

#delete#del#tilde

Highlight (mark)

Obsidian / pandoc / GitLab-flavored. Renders as <mark>.

○ CommonMark○ GFM● GitLab● pandoc● Obsidian

==highlighted==

#mark#highlight#equal

Subscript / Superscript

pandoc / Obsidian only.

○ CommonMark○ GFM○ GitLab● pandoc● Obsidian

H~2~O | x^2^

#sub#sup

Inline Code

Single backticks. CommonMark.

● CommonMark● GFM● GitLab● pandoc● Obsidian

Use `console.log()` to print.

#code#backtick

Lists8

Unordered List

Dash, asterisk, or plus are all valid markers.

● CommonMark● GFM● GitLab● pandoc● Obsidian

- Item one - Item two - Item three

#bullet#ul

Ordered List

● CommonMark● GFM● GitLab● pandoc● Obsidian

1. First 2. Second 3. Third

#ol#numbered

Nested List

Indent by 2 (CommonMark) or 4 spaces. Lists nest up to any depth.

● CommonMark● GFM● GitLab● pandoc● Obsidian

- Parent - Child - Grandchild

#nested#indent

Task List (Checkbox)

GFM task list extension.

○ CommonMark● GFM● GitLab● pandoc○ Obsidian

- [x] Done - [ ] Todo - [ ] Also todo

#checkbox#todo#gfm

List Marker Variants

All three markers produce <ul>.

● CommonMark● GFM● GitLab● pandoc● Obsidian

* Asterisk + Plus - Dash

#marker#bullet

Loose Ordered List

Blank lines between items create a 'loose' list — paragraphs wrap in <p>.

● CommonMark● GFM● GitLab● pandoc● Obsidian

1. First 2. Second 3. Third

#loose#paragraph

Ordered List Start Offset

First number sets the start attribute.

● CommonMark● GFM● GitLab● pandoc● Obsidian

3. Three 4. Four 5. Five

#start#offset

Definition List

pandoc / Obsidian / PHP Markdown Extra.

○ CommonMark○ GFM○ GitLab● pandoc● Obsidian

Term : Definition one : Definition two

#dl#definition

Links & References7

Inline Link

● CommonMark● GFM● GitLab● pandoc● Obsidian

[Example](https://example.com)

#a#href#inline

Link with Title

Title shows on hover as a tooltip.

● CommonMark● GFM● GitLab● pandoc● Obsidian

[Example](https://example.com "Example Site")

#title#tooltip

Reference Link

Reference definition can appear anywhere in the document.

● CommonMark● GFM● GitLab● pandoc● Obsidian

[Example][1] [1]: https://example.com

#reference#ref

Autolink (bare URL)

Angle brackets turn a bare URL into a clickable link. GFM also autolinks bare URLs without brackets.

○ CommonMark● GFM● GitLab● pandoc● Obsidian

Visit <https://example.com>

#autolink#url

Bare-www Autolink

GFM-only: bare www.* URLs become links automatically.

○ CommonMark● GFM● GitLab● pandoc● Obsidian

Visit www.example.com today.

#autolink#www#gfm

Email Autolink

Angle-bracketed email becomes a mailto: link.

● CommonMark● GFM● GitLab● pandoc● Obsidian

<user@example.com>

#email#mailto

Shortcut Reference Link

Single-bracket form. Matched by case-insensitive label.

● CommonMark● GFM● GitLab● pandoc● Obsidian

[Example] [example]: https://example.com

#shortcut#reference

Images4

Inline Image

● CommonMark● GFM● GitLab● pandoc● Obsidian

![Alt text](https://placehold.co/150x50)

#img#inline

Image with Title

● CommonMark● GFM● GitLab● pandoc● Obsidian

![Alt text](https://placehold.co/150x50 "Placeholder")

#img#title

Reference Image

● CommonMark● GFM● GitLab● pandoc● Obsidian

![Alt][logo] [logo]: https://placehold.co/150x50

#img#reference

Image with Size (Obsidian)

Obsidian wiki-link embed syntax with dimensions.

○ CommonMark○ GFM○ GitLab○ pandoc● Obsidian

![[image.png|400x300]]

#obsidian#embed#size

Code6

Fenced Code Block

Three backticks. CommonMark.

● CommonMark● GFM● GitLab● pandoc● Obsidian

``` plain code block ```

#fence#codeblock

Fenced Code with Language

Language hint after the opening fence enables syntax highlighting.

● CommonMark● GFM● GitLab● pandoc● Obsidian

```javascript function greet(name) { return `Hello, ${name}`; } ```

#language#syntax#highlight

Tilde Fenced Code

Tildes are equivalent to backticks in CommonMark.

● CommonMark● GFM● GitLab● pandoc● Obsidian

~~~ also a code block ~~~

#tilde#fence

Inline Code with Backticks

Double backticks let you include a single backtick inside inline code.

● CommonMark● GFM● GitLab● pandoc● Obsidian

Use `` `backticks` `` inside code.

#inline#backtick

Nested Code Fence (4 backticks)

Use 4+ backticks to wrap a block that itself contains a 3-backtick fence.

● CommonMark● GFM● GitLab● pandoc● Obsidian

```` ```js // inner ``` ````

#nested#fence

Indented Code Block

CommonMark indented code. Less common than fenced.

● CommonMark● GFM● GitLab● pandoc● Obsidian

// 4-space indent const x = 1;

#indent#codeblock

Tables5

GFM Table

GFM tables. Header row + delimiter row + body.

○ CommonMark● GFM● GitLab○ pandoc● Obsidian

| Name | Age | | ---- | --- | | Ada | 36 | | Alan | 41 |

#table#gfm

Aligned Table Cells

Colon placement controls text alignment.

○ CommonMark● GFM● GitLab○ pandoc● Obsidian

| Left | Center | Right | | :--- | :----: | ----: | | a | b | c |

#table#align

Table Without Outer Pipes

Outer pipes are optional in GFM.

○ CommonMark● GFM● GitLab○ pandoc● Obsidian

Name | Age ---- | --- Ada | 36

#table#minimal

Inline Formatting in Tables

○ CommonMark● GFM● GitLab○ pandoc● Obsidian

| Feature | Status | | ------- | ------ | | **Bold** | ✅ | | `code` | ✅ |

#table#inline

Grid Table (pandoc)

pandoc grid table — supports multi-line cells.

○ CommonMark○ GFM○ GitLab● pandoc○ Obsidian

+-------+-----+ | Name | Age | +=======+=====+ | Ada | 36 | +-------+-----+

#grid#pandoc

Blockquotes4

Blockquote

● CommonMark● GFM● GitLab● pandoc● Obsidian

> This is a quote. > Continues here.

#quote#blockquote

Nested Blockquote

● CommonMark● GFM● GitLab● pandoc● Obsidian

> Outer > > Inner > > Deeper

#nested#quote

Multi-paragraph Blockquote

Blank > line separates paragraphs inside a quote.

● CommonMark● GFM● GitLab● pandoc● Obsidian

> Paragraph one. > > Paragraph two.

#paragraph#quote

Blockquote with List

● CommonMark● GFM● GitLab● pandoc● Obsidian

> - Item one > - Item two > - Item three

#list#quote

Rules & Dividers3

Horizontal Rule

Three dashes, asterisks, or underscores. Must be on a line alone.

● CommonMark● GFM● GitLab● pandoc● Obsidian

--- *** ___

#hr#rule#divider

Escaping Characters

Backslash escapes any Markdown punctuation.

● CommonMark● GFM● GitLab● pandoc● Obsidian

\*not italic\* \#not heading

#escape#backslash

HTML Comment

Renders as nothing in the output but stays in the source.

● CommonMark● GFM● GitLab● pandoc● Obsidian

Visible text.

#comment#hidden

GFM & Extended14

GFM Alerts

GitHub-native alert callouts: NOTE, TIP, IMPORTANT, CAUTION, WARNING.

○ CommonMark● GFM● GitLab● pandoc○ Obsidian

> [!NOTE] > Useful information. > [!WARNING] > Be careful.

#alert#callout#gfm

GFM Strikethrough

○ CommonMark● GFM● GitLab○ pandoc○ Obsidian

~~deleted~~ and ~~also deleted~~

#strike#gfm

GFM Autolink Rewrites

GFM rewrites bare URLs (and www.*) into links automatically.

○ CommonMark● GFM● GitLab● pandoc● Obsidian

Visit https://example.com/page?x=1 today.

#autolink#url#gfm

Raw HTML

Raw HTML passes through. GFM sanitizes dangerous tags by default.

● CommonMark● GFM● GitLab● pandoc● Obsidian

<details> <summary>Click</summary> Hidden content. </details>

#html#raw

Footnotes

pandoc / Obsidian / GFM (Oct 2023+) footnote extension.

○ CommonMark● GFM○ GitLab● pandoc● Obsidian

Some claim[^1] is supported. [^1]: The footnote text.

#footnote#reference

Inline Footnote

pandoc / Obsidian inline footnote syntax.

○ CommonMark○ GFM○ GitLab● pandoc● Obsidian

Here is an inline footnote: ^[inline note].

#footnote#inline

Math (TeX)

GitHub-native math since 2022. Also Obsidian / pandoc / GitLab.

○ CommonMark● GFM● GitLab● pandoc● Obsidian

Inline $E = mc^2$ and block: $$\int_0^1 x\, dx$$

#math#tex#latex

Mermaid Diagram

GitHub renders mermaid.js diagrams inline. GitLab and Obsidian too.

○ CommonMark● GFM● GitLab○ pandoc● Obsidian

```mermaid graph LR A --> B B --> C ```

#mermaid#diagram#graph

Emoji Shortcodes

GitHub shortcodes render as emoji. CommonMark does not.

○ CommonMark● GFM● GitLab● pandoc○ Obsidian

:+1: :rocket: :tada: :smile:

#emoji#gfm#shortcode

Collapsible Section

Native HTML <details>. Works in GFM, GitLab, pandoc, Obsidian.

● CommonMark● GFM● GitLab● pandoc● Obsidian

<details> <summary>Toggle me</summary> Hidden content here. </details>

#details#summary#collapse

Line Break (trailing spaces)

Two trailing spaces force a <br>. GFM also supports backslash-newline.

● CommonMark● GFM● GitLab● pandoc● Obsidian

Line one. Line two.

#br#linebreak

Backslash Line Break

GFM-only: backslash before newline forces a <br>.

○ CommonMark● GFM● GitLab● pandoc● Obsidian

Line one.\ Line two.

#br#backslash#gfm

Wiki-link (Obsidian)

Obsidian-style bidirectional wiki links.

○ CommonMark○ GFM○ GitLab○ pandoc● Obsidian

[[Note Title]] and [[Note Title|display text]]

#wiki#obsidian#link

Hashtag Tag

Obsidian / Markdown-It tag plugin. Treats #word as a tag.

○ CommonMark○ GFM○ GitLab○ pandoc● Obsidian

#tag #multi-word-tag

#hashtag#tag#obsidian

Scratch pad — test your own Markdown

Rendered preview

Hello Markdown

This is bold, italic, and code.

Item
Task

NOTE

Live preview.

Flavor-support legend

CommonMarkGFMGitLabpandocObsidian

Each card shows ● for supported flavors and ○ for unsupported. Use the matrix to know if a feature works in CommonMark, GFM, GitLab, pandoc, or Obsidian.

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