DOCUMENTATION
Markdown to PDF: user guide
Use this guide when your document needs more than a quick download. Learn how to bring in Markdown, check its formatting, attach images and inspect the finished PDF. You can use the converter without an account.
Open the converter01 / 08
Start with a file or pasted text
For an existing document, Simple mode is the quickest route to a PDF.
Choose or drop a file
Select one UTF-8 .md or .markdown file, or drop it into the upload area. If the document references local pictures, drop the supported image files alongside it. Check that the document name and ready state appear before selecting Download PDF.
Paste instead
Choose Write or paste to open the editor, then paste your source. Edit & customize also opens the workspace without discarding an uploaded document. Change the suggested PDF filename before downloading if needed. A browser connection is required to generate the PDF.
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Edit, preview and download
The editor and live HTML preview run in your browser; the final PDF is generated on the server.
Check the source
In Edit & customize, use the Write and Preview views to catch broken headings, list indentation, tables and links. On smaller screens, switch between the views. Changes to the source appear in the local preview without uploading the document.
Download and check
Choose Download PDF, then open the downloaded file to check page breaks, margins and the last page. The live preview only approximates pagination. After changing source or layout, download a new PDF. You can also download the Markdown source.
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Supported Markdown and diagrams
Common Markdown formatting works directly. Advanced formatting has bounded support.
Text, tables and code
Use # and ## for headings, - for lists, - [ ] for task items, > for quotations, and pipes for tables. Fenced code blocks are supported, including syntax highlighting for common programming languages. Links and inline formatting are preserved where supported.
Math and Mermaid
KaTeX renders supported mathematical notation. A fenced mermaid block can render a flowchart or other supported diagram, up to eight diagrams per document and within complexity limits. Unsupported math or diagrams may show their source with a warning; inspect the PDF.
Explicit page breaks
Place <!-- pagebreak --> alone on its own line to start a new PDF page. Ordinary --- makes a horizontal rule. Check the downloaded PDF; landscape can help with wide tables.
# Project notes
A **short report** with [a link](https://example.org).
- [x] Draft complete
- [ ] Review PDF
| Item | Status |
| --- | --- |
| Export | Ready |
```ts
const format = "pdf";
```
Inline math: $E = mc^2$
```mermaid
flowchart LR
A[Markdown] --> B[PDF]
```04 / 08
Attach images and repair references
An image reference in Markdown is not enough by itself: the converter also needs the image bytes.
Local images
Write an image reference such as , then attach that PNG, JPEG or WebP. You can drop the Markdown file and its images together. Automatic filename matching works only when the reference is unambiguous; otherwise use the attachment control beside the unresolved reference.
Remote images and missing assets
HTTPS image URLs are never fetched automatically. If you choose Load from URL, your browser contacts the image host; the host must permit cross-origin access (CORS). Alternatively attach a local copy. If you export with unresolved images, the PDF contains labelled placeholders rather than the missing pictures.
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Choose paper, appearance and pagination
Layout settings are always visible in Edit & customize, below the font and colour choices. They change the printed document rather than the site appearance.
Page settings
Choose A4 or US Letter paper, portrait or landscape, and Clean, Technical or Editorial document style. Set the body text to 9, 10, 11, 12, 14 or 16 pt, with 12, 18 or 24 mm margins. You can add page numbers or restore the layout defaults. Editorial adds serif typography and a lighter table treatment. Font can follow the style or use Inter, Lora or JetBrains Mono. Choose Forest, Navy, Wine or Monochrome accents and Compact, Balanced or Relaxed line spacing. These choices affect both the live preview and exported PDF.
Verify long content
Wide tables, long code blocks, diagrams and inserted page breaks may affect pagination. Generate the PDF and inspect the affected pages; adjust paper orientation, font size or margins if needed. The site’s Light/Dark setting does not change PDF paper or document styling.
<!-- pagebreak -->06 / 08
File limits and unsupported workflows
These limits help the conversion service manage resources; they are not a guarantee that every large document will fit.
Size and complexity
Markdown input is limited to 250 KB. Attach at most 12 PNG, JPEG or WebP images, totalling no more than 2 MB. Each image is limited to 16 megapixels and 8,000 pixels per side. Up to eight Mermaid diagrams are supported, subject to complexity limits.
Time and request limits
A file upload has a 10-second reading deadline and PDF generation has a 30-second deadline. Temporary limits also apply to request frequency and concurrent conversions; repeated requests may need a short pause. Large or complex PDFs can still fail inside these bounds.
What is not included
There is no repository URL import, folder or ZIP import, batch conversion, account, saved draft, public document URL or API. Custom HTML, scripts, CSS and fonts are not supported. PDF/A and PDF/UA certification are not claimed.
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Solve common conversion problems
The source stays editable if conversion fails. Use the specific warning to narrow down the problem.
Images or diagrams do not appear
Check each unresolved image reference and attach the matching file; for remote images, try a local copy if CORS blocks loading. Simplify oversized Mermaid diagrams or remove unsupported diagram configuration. Review any conversion warnings before downloading.
Pages look wrong
If a table clips or a code block wraps badly, try landscape paper, smaller text or narrower margins, then generate the PDF again. For an expected page break, check the exact standalone <!-- pagebreak --> marker. Confirm the actual PDF rather than relying on HTML preview.
PDF fails or is out of date
Check the Markdown and image limits, then retry. If you encounter a request limit, wait briefly and avoid repeated clicks. A PDF generated before later edits will not include those edits; regenerate it. Cancelling a request stops the browser from waiting, but an accepted server job may finish.
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Understand where your files go
Editing and PDF generation have different data flows.
During editing
Markdown and attachments stay in this tab while you edit. Refreshing or closing it loses unsaved work; download Markdown to keep a copy. Light is the default. Your Light/Dark and Simple/Edit & customize choices are remembered in this browser; document content is never saved in browser storage.
During PDF generation
Choosing Download PDF sends the Markdown, attachments and layout choices to the conversion server. The app does not intentionally retain document files, publish PDFs or log document bodies. See the privacy page for hosting details.
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