Also known as: .markdown, .mdown, .mkd

Commonly opened with
  • Any text editor
  • Typora
  • Visual Studio Code
  • GitHub/GitLab (renders automatically)
Supported platforms
  • Windows
  • macOS
  • Linux
  • Web / Cross-platform
  • Android
  • iOS
Editable?
Yes, with common software
Viewable without special tools?
Usually, yes
Commonly converted to
  • .html
  • .pdf
  • .docx
Inherent format risk
Generally low risk
Safety guidance (not a guarantee)

Source code is plain text and doesn't execute on its own — it has to be compiled or run by a specific tool, which is where any real risk would occur.

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File extension lookup

No upload, no sign-up — everything is analyzed locally in your browser.

Frequently asked questions

What is a .md file?

Lightweight plain-text formatting syntax that renders into styled HTML. Widely used for documentation, READMEs, and notes.

Can I edit a .md file?

Yes — .md files are commonly editable with software such as Any text editor.

Does having a .md extension mean the file is safe?

No single extension can guarantee that. Source code is plain text and doesn't execute on its own — it has to be compiled or run by a specific tool, which is where any real risk would occur. Always consider where the file came from, not just its name.

Privacy: The lookup above runs entirely in your browser. Nothing you type is uploaded, logged, or sent anywhere.

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