Markdown Viewer and Live Preview
Open any .md or README file, paste markdown, or drop a file in and see it rendered instantly. Nothing leaves your browser.
- 100% client-side, nothing uploaded
- GitHub Flavored Markdown supported
- Paste text or drop a file, both work
How it works
Three steps, zero uploads
Paste or type
Click into the editor and paste your markdown, or start typing from scratch. The preview updates as you go.
Or drop a file
Drag a .md, .markdown or .txt file onto the editor, or use the upload button if you prefer a file dialog.
Copy or download
Copy the rendered HTML, download it as a standalone .html file, or save your edited source back to .md.
Use cases
Open a .md file without installing anything
Most operating systems do not open .md files by default, so double-clicking one just prompts you to pick an app. This viewer skips that step. Upload the file or drag it straight onto the editor and it renders in your browser immediately, no markdown app, extension, or account required. It works the same way for any plain-text file with markdown in it, including notes exported from Obsidian, Notion, or a static site generator.
Use cases
Preview a README before you push it
GitHub and GitLab render README.md on your repo's front page, so a broken table or a heading that does not nest the way you expected only shows up after you push. Paste your README here first and check the rendered output: tables, task lists, code fences and links all render with the same GitHub Flavored Markdown rules your repo host uses, so what you see is what visitors will see.
Comparison
How this compares to Dillinger and StackEdit
Dillinger and StackEdit are both solid, genuinely free markdown editors, and neither forces a signup for basic use either. The difference is what they're for. Both are full editors built around an ongoing writing workspace: multiple documents, formatting toolbars, and optional cloud sync to GitHub, Dropbox or Google Drive if you connect an account. This tool skips all of that on purpose. There's no workspace to set up and nothing to install: paste your markdown or drop a file, check the render, and you're done. If you're editing documents over days or weeks, Dillinger or StackEdit's saved workspace is the better fit. If you just need to confirm what a README or a paste of markdown will actually look like, this is the faster path.
| Tool | Signup required | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| This viewer | Never | Paste or drop a file and check the render in one step, nothing to set up |
| Dillinger | Only to connect GitHub, Dropbox or Drive | A full editor with cloud sync across multiple documents |
| StackEdit | Only to sync via Google or GitHub | An installable, offline-capable editor for ongoing writing |
Reference
Markdown cheat sheet
| Syntax | Renders as |
|---|---|
| # Heading | Large section heading |
| ## Subheading | Smaller section heading |
| **bold** | Bold text |
| *italic* | Italic text |
| [link](https://example.com) | A hyperlink |
|  | An image |
| - item | Bulleted list item |
| 1. item | Numbered list item |
| - [ ] task | Unchecked task list item |
| `code` | Inline code |
| ``` code block ``` | Fenced code block |
| > quote | Blockquote |
| --- | Horizontal rule |
| | a | b | | --- | --- | | Table |
FAQ
About the preview tool
Is my markdown file uploaded anywhere?
No. The file is read directly in your browser using the FileReader API. Nothing is sent to a server, and closing the tab clears everything.
What markdown flavor does the preview support?
GitHub Flavored Markdown: headings, tables, task lists, strikethrough, fenced code blocks and autolinks all render correctly.
Can I open a .md file from my computer?
Yes. Drag the file onto the editor pane, or click the upload button and pick it from a file dialog. Both work with .md, .markdown and .txt files.
Can I save the rendered result?
Yes. Copy the rendered HTML straight to your clipboard, or download it as a standalone .html file. You can also download your edited source as a .md file.
Does it work with Obsidian notes?
Standard markdown syntax renders correctly. Obsidian-specific features like wiki-style [[links]] and block embeds are not part of the CommonMark/GFM spec, so they display as plain text rather than resolving.
Is there a file size limit?
Files up to 2 MB are supported, which covers almost any note or article. Anything larger will show a message asking you to paste the relevant section instead, since rendering huge documents live in the browser stops feeling instant.
How do I use full screen mode?
Click Full screen in the toolbar to hide the browser chrome and give the tool the whole display. On a wide screen you can switch between Write, Split and Preview while full screen is active. Press Escape or click the button again to exit.
Can I view a README file here?
Yes. Upload README.md or paste its contents in, and it renders with the same GitHub Flavored Markdown rules GitHub and GitLab use for repo front pages, so tables, task lists and code fences all show correctly before you push.
Does this work as an .md file viewer?
Yes. Upload a .md, .markdown or .txt file, or drag one straight onto the editor, and it opens and renders immediately in your browser. No markdown app or extension needs to be installed.
Can I convert markdown to HTML?
Yes. Once your markdown is rendered, use Copy HTML to copy the generated markup to your clipboard, or Download .html to save it as a standalone HTML file.
How is this different from Dillinger or StackEdit?
Dillinger and StackEdit are full editors built for an ongoing writing workspace, with formatting toolbars and optional cloud sync to services like GitHub or Google Drive. This tool is a single-purpose viewer: there's no workspace to set up, so you paste or drop a file and get the rendered output back immediately with nothing to configure first.
Keep going
Pair it with the rest of MDCrafter
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Paste markdown or upload a .md file, preview it, and save it as a PDF. Nothing uploaded, runs in your browser.
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