# What is Markdown?

I’m SO glad you asked. Markdown is a very simple text markup language that uses human-readable characters rather than HTML to format text for web pages that support it. It is much easier to write than HTML and much easier to read, too. I’m starting to write with it ALL the time, for all kinds of note taking, development and correspondence.

> Markdown is intended to be as easy-to-read and easy-to-write as is feasible.

—[Source:](https://daringfireball.net/projects/markdown/syntax#overview)

Start with the basics:

# Heading 1
<h1>Heading 1</h1>

## Heading 2
<h2>Heading 2</h2>

### Heading 3
<h3>Heading 3</h3>

*emphasis*
<em>emphasis</em>

**bold**
<strong>bold</strong>

#### Bulleted List
– Item 1
– Item 2
– Item 3

Outputs:
<ul>
<li>Item 1</li>
<li>Item 2</li>
<li>Item 3</li>
</ul>

### Numbered List
1. Item 1
2. Item 2
3. Item 3

Outputs:
<ol>
<li>Item 1</li>
<li>Item 2</li>
<li>Item 3</li>
</ol>

### Try It!
Now that you know the basics, try this online editor [https://dillinger.io/](https://dillinger.io/) or download this elegant Markdown desktop editor [https://typora.io/](https://typora.io/) or search the internet for more info. It’s a big help in staying human.