Markdown file format
Markdown
Markdown is plain text with simple symbols for formatting — # for headings, * for lists, ** for bold. It's the standard for README files, notes and documentation.
| Property | Markdown |
|---|---|
| File extensions | .md, .markdown |
| MIME type | text/markdown |
| Introduced | 2004 by John Gruber (with Aaron Swartz) |
| Type | Formatted plain text |
| How it's stored | None (plain text) |
| Keeps formatting | Basic — headings, lists, links, tables |
| Compatibility | GitHub, note apps, static-site tools |
| Best for | READMEs, notes, documentation |
What is a Markdown file?
Markdown was created by John Gruber, with Aaron Swartz, in 2004 as an easy-to-read, easy-to-write format that converts to HTML. GitHub Flavored Markdown added tables and task lists and is now the most common dialect.