Basic Markdown Syntax

Markdown is a lightweight markup language designed for easy readability and writing. Its basic syntax forms the foundation for creating well-structured documents efficiently.

Headings

Create headings using hash symbols (#). More hashes indicate lower-level headings:

# Heading 1
## Heading 2
### Heading 3

Paragraphs and Line Breaks

Separate paragraphs with a blank line. For line breaks within a paragraph, end a line with two spaces:

This is a paragraph.

This is another paragraph.

This line ends with two spaces  
to create a line break.

Emphasis

Use asterisks or underscores for emphasis:

*Italic* or _Italic_
**Bold** or __Bold__
***Bold and Italic*** or ___Bold and Italic___

Lists

Create unordered lists with asterisks, plus signs, or hyphens. For ordered lists, use numbers:

- Item 1
- Item 2
  - Subitem 2.1
  - Subitem 2.2

1. First item
2. Second item
3. Third item

Links

Create links using square brackets for the text and parentheses for the URL:

[Visit OpenAI](https://www.openai.com)

Images

Insert images similarly to links, but with an exclamation mark at the beginning:

![Alt text](image-url.jpg)

Code

For inline code, use backticks. For code blocks, use triple backticks or indent with four spaces:

`inline code`

```python
def greet(name):
    print(f"Hello, {name}!")
```

Blockquotes

Create blockquotes using the greater-than symbol:

> This is a blockquote.
> It can span multiple lines.

Horizontal Rules

Create horizontal rules with three or more hyphens, asterisks, or underscores:

---
***
___

Important Considerations

• Markdown syntax may vary slightly between different implementations.
• Some platforms support additional features beyond basic Markdown.
• Always preview your Markdown to ensure correct formatting.
• Use consistent syntax throughout your document for better readability.

Understanding Basic Markdown Syntax is crucial for efficient document creation. It allows for quick formatting without the complexity of HTML. As you become more comfortable with these basics, you can explore advanced features like Markdown Tables and Markdown Footnotes.

For those interested in specific applications, Markdown is widely used in various contexts such as Markdown for Documentation and Markdown for Blogging. Its simplicity and versatility make it an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced writers.