The first time I used Markdown, a lightweight markup language, was back in 2004.
I was beginning to work with Textpattern for client sites, my first introduction to an open source content management system.
Prior to using Markdown, I used Dreamweaver to build sites and add content.
What I liked about Markdown:
- Simple format
- Familiar characters and punctuation
- Easy for me to learn
Over time, Markdown was included in many content management systems and other applications I use.
Fast forward to today and Markdown is still a major tool for people working on the web.
Why Convert Markdown to HTML
Sometimes you might find yourself with a need to convert Markdown directly to HTML.
For example, prior to their latest design update, I used Markdown on Meetup.com to provide better formatting for event descriptions.
Or you may prefer to work with Markdown for writing content, but need to convert to HTML for whatever application you’re working with.
When Melanie Sumner asked about an online site that converted Markdown to HTML site, one that
- Didn’t store or analyze the content
- Had an input area to paste Markdown
- Included an output area for the HTML
my friend Nathan Smith and I shared resources we knew about. Sumner thanked us for our recommendations.
It wasn’t until a few days later, I remembered I wrote about Markdown to HTML conversion on this site.
And forgot to offer my recommended resource to Sumner.
Oops.
Hey, it’s been seven years since I wrote this post.
I’ve published more than 1,400 posts since then.
Can’t fault myself for forgetting.
But it’s a good reminder to review this post and update it with free online resources for converting Markdown to HTML.
Read on to learn my current recommendations.
Note: I did not check the back-end of the sites to determine if they’re doing any storing/analysis of the input.
MarkdowntoHTML.co
A simple site (and easy to remember URL!), MarkdowntoHTML.co lets you quickly paste your Markdown content to convert to HTML.
Created by David Hayes, it features live previews of your content in HTML as well as how the content will display on the page.
A two-column interface with an input area to enter Markdown in the first column, the second column offers a two-tab interface to preview the content as well as raw HTML.
I found MarkdowntoHTML worked well.
Simple interface, I liked that I could quickly switch between HTML and preview tabs.
Great to learn the site is still up and running, seven years after I first recommended it!
Markdown to HTML Converter
Another free converter, Markdown to HTML Converter by Jeremy Thomerson, offers a similar interface to MarkdowntoHTML.co.
Again, it’s useful to have both a preview and raw HTML tab to view the results.
In addition, you’ll find a helpful Markdown cheatsheet on the site, a quick reference for Markdown syntax.
Markdown: Dingus
Created by John Gruber, the author of Markdown, the Markdown: Dingus site has a different interface for conversion.
You’ll find an input area near the top of the page where you enter your Markdown code, with options to display:
- Source
- Preview
- Source & Preview
in the HTML Source below.
Compared to the prior two recommendations, I found I needed to scroll more on the screen to view the output.
A helpful Markdown syntax cheatsheet displays in a side column.
Dillinger
The tagline of The Last Markdown Editor, Ever and clean interface of Dillinger caught my attention quickly.
Another two-column interface, Dillinger is a cloud-enabled, mobile-ready, and offline-storage compatable Markdown converter.
A few of the features of Dillinger that stand out:
- Import an HTML file to convert to Markdown
- Drag and drop images (requires linked Dropbox account)
- Import and save files from GitHub, Dropbox, Google Drive, and One Drive
- Drag and drop Markdown files and HTML files
- Export documents as Markdown, HTML, and PDF
While the other converter resources offer basic conversion, Dillinger goes the extra mile to provide additional features.
All for free. Shoutout to Joe McCann for his work on Dillinger.
Summary
If you’re looking for an online site to edit in Markdown and output the HTML for use on another site or application, give one of the recommendations I shared a whirl.
Seven years since I first published this post, my personal favorite is still MarkdowntoHTML.co.
Depending on your requirements, Dillinger offers a large range of features beyond only conversion.
If you try one (or more) of the Markdown to HTML converters, I’d love to hear what you think of them.
Originally published October 29, 2015, updated January 26, 2022.
