Where .md files come from
- AI assistants. Many AI chat tools write their answers in Markdown. When you save or download an answer, you often get an .md file.
- GitHub and software projects. Almost every project has a
README.mdfile that explains what it is. - Notes and documentation. Many note apps and teams save their notes and documents as .md files. This keeps the files readable anywhere, so you are never locked into one app.
Why an .md file looks like a mess
If you open an .md file in a basic text viewer, you see the raw symbols:
# Trip plan
## What to pack
- **Water**, two litres
- A paper map
| Day | Route | Distance |
|-----|---------------|----------|
| 1 | Trailhead–Lake | 11 km |
If you open the exact same file in a Markdown reader, you see a heading, a short list with Water in bold, and a real table. It is the same file, and nothing changed – only how it is shown.
The symbols, in one minute
| You type | You get |
|---|---|
# Title | A big heading |
## Section | A smaller heading |
- item | A bullet point |
**bold** | bold |
[text](https://example.com) | A link |
| a | b | rows | A table |
How to open an .md file
On Android: Install a Markdown reader. Then, tap the .md file in your file manager, or open it from an email attachment. PilcrowMD is free, has no ads, requires no account, and is open source. It shows headings, lists, tables, code, and math cleanly. It also lets you edit the file when you need to.
On a computer: Any text editor can open it, but you will see the symbols. Many code editors and note apps can show the file cleanly formatted.
Common questions
Is an .md file safe to open? Yes. It is plain text. PilcrowMD shows it as a formatted page and never runs scripts or code from the file. Links open only when you tap them.
Can I edit it? Yes. It is just text. In PilcrowMD, switch to the editor, make your changes, and save. The app writes back exactly what you typed.
What is the difference between .md and .markdown? Nothing. Both are Markdown files. PilcrowMD opens both, and .txt files too.
Who made Markdown? John Gruber created it in 2004, with major input from Aaron Swartz.
Also on Mac: PilcrowMD for Mac (beta)