Markdown Viewer Online
Open a .md file and read it properly rendered — headings, tables, lists, and links — without installing an editor or a Markdown extension.
Runs entirely in your browser — files never leave your device.
How it works
- 01Click Upload .md and choose a Markdown file from your device, or paste its contents into the source pane.
- 02The rendered preview opens maximized by default, so you can read it like a normal document.
- 03Need to check or tweak the raw Markdown? Click the restore icon in the top-right of the preview pane ("Restore split view") to bring back the source pane alongside it.
- 04Want it in another format? Pick a document theme to recolor the preview, then use Download As to export Markdown, PDF, HTML, Word, RTF, or plain text.
- 05Nothing you open here is ever uploaded anywhere — it's read and rendered locally.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Markdown editor installed to view a .md file?
No. This page opens .md files directly in your browser and renders them as formatted text, so you don't need a code editor or a Markdown extension just to read one.
Is my file uploaded to a server?
No. The file is read locally with the browser's own File API and rendered entirely client-side. It never leaves your device. Two things do make direct browser requests, not a server relay: using "Open from URL" to fetch a remote file, and exporting to PDF or Word when your Markdown embeds remote images (those get fetched so they can be included in the download).
Can I view a README.md from a GitHub repo I downloaded?
Yes — download or clone the repo, then upload its README.md (or any other .md file in it) here to read it rendered, exactly like GitHub would show it.
What if I want to edit the file, not just view it?
Click the restore icon in the top-right of the preview pane ("Restore split view") to bring back the split source/preview layout, or head to the plain Markdown Editor for a writing-first layout.
Does it support tables and task lists like GitHub does?
Yes — GitHub-Flavored Markdown tables, task list checkboxes, strikethrough, and autolinks all render the same way GitHub's own README preview does.
Can I export what I'm viewing to another format?
Yes — the Download As menu exports the current document as Markdown, PDF, HTML, Word (also opens in Google Docs), RTF, or plain text, directly from your browser. Pick a document theme first to recolor the preview and PDF/HTML downloads to match.
Related tools
Related surfaces
Writing something new instead of reading a file? Use the Markdown Editor. Want to watch your own Markdown render live as you type it? Try Markdown Live Preview.