Quick-Start Guide — Convert Markdown to HTML and PDF Online
Fastest path from Markdown to HTML or PDF: load a file, preview it, optionally adjust layout, then download. Browser-only—no install, no server upload.
What you'll learn
- The fastest path from a Markdown file to HTML or PDF
- Three ways to load files (drag-drop, button, paste)
- How to preview and understand view modes
- Basic layout settings (fonts, margins, page breaks)
- Why browser-only processing matters for privacy
This is the quick-start version. For the full feature reference, see How to Convert Markdown to HTML and PDF.
What you can do
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| HTML export | One self-contained .html file with embedded styles |
| PDF export | Save as PDF via the browser print dialog |
| Live preview | See the rendered result as you type |
| Layout settings | Margins, fonts, line height, page breaks |
| Image embedding | Paste/drop images; they embed as Base64 |
| Browser-only | Files never leave your machine |
Start in 4 steps
Step 1: Load your file
Choose one:
- Drag & drop a .md file onto the drop zone in the center
- Choose file button in the toolbar
- Edit tab: type or paste Markdown directly
Supported: .md text files, up to 10 MB.
Step 2: Check the preview
After loading, the rendered result appears in the Preview pane. Verify headings, lists, tables, and code blocks look right.
| Mode | When to use |
|---|---|
| Edit | Write Markdown only; toolbar shortcuts for formatting |
| Preview | Rendered result only; closest to print/PDF |
| Split | Edit left, preview right; great for simultaneous editing |
Step 3: Adjust layout (optional)
Click Layout settings to open the panel:
- Font size — default 14 px
- Line height — spacing between lines
- Max width — body text width cap
- Font family — sans-serif or serif
Under Advanced: set print margins (mm per side) and page-break rules (e.g. break before h1, avoid splitting tables).
Step 4: Export
- Download HTML — click the button at the bottom. Styles and images embed in one .html file.
- Save as PDF — click "Save as PDF" to open the print dialog; choose "Save as PDF" as the destination. Google Chrome gives the most stable output.
Privacy: your files stay in the browser
All processing (load, convert, preview, download) runs entirely in your browser. Nothing is uploaded. Safe for internal documents and confidential content.
FAQ
HTML or PDF — which should I use?
HTML for web or portal embedding; PDF for printing, sharing, or formal submission. Both are available from the same screen.
Will a page reload lose my work?
No. Your Markdown and layout settings are stored in the browser for the session and survive a reload.
Can I use images?
Yes. In Split or Edit view, paste (Ctrl+V / Cmd+V) or drop an image; it converts to Markdown image syntax. On HTML download, images embed as Base64. Formats: PNG, JPEG, GIF, WebP. Limit: 5 MB per file.
How do I control page breaks?
Do not add page-break markup to the Markdown source. Instead, use Layout → Page breaks for document-wide rules and drag the break handles in Preview for fine-tuning. See Adjust page breaks by dragging in Preview.
Why does the PDF look different from the preview?
Reset the print dialog margin to default and zoom to 100%. For deeper diagnosis, see Why Markdown PDFs and Print Look Broken.
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