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HTML vs Markdown
HTML describes structured web content and provides detailed control over elements, while Markdown offers a compact authoring syntax that is commonly converted to HTML. The best choice depends on who edits the content and how it is published.
Which format should you choose?
Use Markdown for simple, readable source when the platform renders it reliably; use HTML when precise structure, semantics, or layout control is required.
Good fit for HTML
Building web-page structure and content
- Semantic headings, paragraphs, and links
Good fit for Markdown
Technical documentation and README files
- Lightweight documents with headings, links, and code
Basic information
| Field | HTML | Markdown |
|---|---|---|
| Extension | .html, .htm | .md, .markdown |
| MIME type | text/html | text/markdown |
| Common uses | Building web-page structure and content | Technical documentation and README files |
| How to open | Open it in a browser or text editor. Check it in the target browsers before publishing. | Open it in a text editor, Markdown editor, or repository preview. Check the target service's dialect and enabled extensions before publishing. |
| Export or convert | You can export HTML to PDF when appropriate, but links and dynamic features may not remain equivalent. | Export to HTML or PDF with a suitable converter. Check the dialect, relative image and link paths, code blocks, and table support first. |
Choose by use case
Semantic headings, paragraphs, and links
Building web-page structure and content
HTMLLightweight documents with headings, links, and code
Technical documentation and README files
MarkdownKey point 1
Markdown is concise to write and usually needs a renderer for display.
More on the differencesKey point 2
HTML directly expresses web elements and supports more detailed semantics.
More on the differencesMore on the differences
Check the target platform's supported syntax and rendering rules. Preview headings, links, tables, images, and embedded content, and sanitize untrusted HTML where appropriate.
- Markdown source is designed to be readable as plain text.
- HTML offers explicit elements and attributes for web documents.
- Markdown is often a source format in a publishing pipeline rather than a replacement for rendered HTML.
Frequently asked questions
Does Markdown replace HTML on the web?
Not usually; many systems convert Markdown to HTML before display, and extension support varies.