Online Markdown Editor — Write README Files with Live Preview
Write and preview Markdown side by side with this free online README editor. Type standard Markdown — or GitHub-flavored syntax like tables, task lists, and fenced code blocks — on the left and watch the rendered document update live on the right, exactly as it will appear on GitHub.
A great README is your project's homepage: it decides in seconds whether someone installs your package or moves on. This editor removes the write-commit-refresh loop, so you can iterate on structure, badges, code examples, and formatting until the document is polished — then copy the Markdown straight into your repository.
How to Write a README with Live Preview
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Start typing Markdown
Write in the editor pane — headings, lists, links, images, tables, and code blocks all render live.
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Watch the preview
The rendered output updates beside your text, showing exactly how GitHub will display it.
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Structure the document
Cover the essentials: what the project does, installation, a quick-start example, and contribution notes.
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Copy to your repo
Copy the finished Markdown and commit it as README.md.
Features of the Markdown Editor
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Side-by-side live rendering
See the formatted result as you type — no preview toggles or commit-to-check cycles.
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GitHub-flavored Markdown
Tables, task lists, strikethrough, and fenced code blocks render the way GitHub renders them.
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Syntax-highlighted code blocks
Fenced blocks with language tags display highlighted code in the preview.
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Distraction-free writing
A clean two-pane layout focused entirely on the document.
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Nothing leaves your browser
Draft private docs safely — content is never uploaded.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a good README include?
The essentials: a one-line description, key features, installation instructions, a minimal usage example, configuration notes, and how to contribute. Add badges, screenshots, or a demo GIF near the top for instant credibility.
How do I create a table in Markdown?
Use pipes and hyphens: a header row like | Name | Type |, a separator row | --- | --- |, then one row per line. The live preview shows the rendered table immediately, so alignment mistakes are obvious.
How do I add a code block with syntax highlighting?
Wrap the code in triple backticks and put the language name after the opening fence (for example ```js). GitHub and this editor both highlight the block accordingly.
Does this editor support GitHub-flavored Markdown?
Yes — GFM extensions like tables, task lists (- [ ]), and strikethrough render in the preview just as they will on GitHub.