Markdown ↔ Slack Converter
Convert between standard Markdown and Slack's mrkdwn format. Works in both directions. Free, private, and no sign-up required.
Markdown vs Slack Formatting Reference
| Element | Standard Markdown | Slack mrkdwn |
|---|---|---|
| Bold | **text** or __text__ | *text* |
| Italic | *text* or _text_ | _text_ |
| Strikethrough | ~~text~~ | ~text~ |
| Links | [link text](url) | <url|link text> |
| Headers | # Header | *Header* (bold) |
| Code Block | ```code``` | ```code``` |
| Inline Code | `code` | `code` |
| Blockquote | > quote | > quote |
| Lists | - item or * item | - item (plain text, no list markup) |
How to Use This Converter
Choose Direction
Select Markdown → Slack or Slack → Markdown using the toggle.
Paste Your Text
Copy your formatted text and paste it into the input field.
Click Convert
Hit the convert button to transform your text instantly.
Copy & Use
Copy the result and paste it wherever you need it.
How to Paste Markdown into Slack
Slack does not read standard markdown. Paste output from ChatGPT, Claude, or a README straight into a message and you get literal double asterisks, pound signs, and bracketed links. To paste it with the formatting intact:
- Paste your markdown into the converter above with Markdown → Slack selected.
- Click Copy to copy the Slack mrkdwn version.
- Paste it into the Slack message box and send. Bold, italic, strikethrough, code, code blocks, and quotes come through, and list items keep their dashes.
If Slack still shows the raw symbols, open Preferences > Advanced and turn on "Format messages with markup". Slack then applies the formatting when you send instead of through the toolbar.
Links are the exception. The converter writes them as <url|text>, the form bots, webhooks, and the Slack API use. In the Slack app, type [text](link) with markup turned on, or select the link text and paste the URL over it.
For every syntax rule, shortcut, and workaround for tables, see the full Slack formatting guide.
Common Use Cases
Documentation → Slack
Share formatted documentation, README files, or wiki content in Slack without losing formatting.
Slack → GitHub
Convert Slack discussions into properly formatted GitHub issues or pull request descriptions.
Slack Bots & Webhooks
Prepare formatted messages for Slack API, incoming webhooks, or custom Slack applications.
Note-Taking Apps
Save important Slack messages to Obsidian, Notion, or other Markdown-based note apps.
Why Slack Uses Different Formatting
Slack developed its own formatting syntax called "mrkdwn" (a playful spelling of markdown) before Markdown became the universal standard it is today. While the two are similar, there are key differences that often trip up users.
The main differences stem from Slack's chat-first design philosophy. Using single asterisks for bold(*text*) instead of double asterisks (**text**) means fewer keystrokes for common formatting. The link syntax <url|text> was designed to be parsed more reliably in a chat context where URLs are frequently shared.
This converter handles all these differences automatically in both directions, so you can write in whichever format you prefer and convert as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Slack mrkdwn?
Slack mrkdwn (pronounced "markdown") is Slack's own text formatting syntax. While similar to standard Markdown, it uses different symbols for formatting. For example, bold text uses single asterisks (*bold*) instead of double asterisks (**bold**), and links use angle brackets (<url|text>) instead of square brackets ([text](url)).
Can I paste markdown into Slack?
Not as is. Slack uses its own mrkdwn syntax, so standard markdown like **bold**, # headings, and [text](url) links shows up as raw symbols. Paste your markdown into this converter first, copy the Slack version, and paste that into the message box. If Slack still shows the symbols, turn on Preferences > Advanced > "Format messages with markup" and the formatting applies when you send.
Why does Slack use different formatting than Markdown?
Slack developed mrkdwn before Markdown became a universal standard. Their format was designed to be simple for chat messages while avoiding conflicts with common typing patterns. For example, using single asterisks for bold means you're less likely to accidentally format text.
What formatting does this converter support?
This tool converts bold text, italic text, strikethrough, links, headers (converted to bold in Slack), code blocks, and inline code. Blockquotes and line breaks are kept as they are, since both formats write them the same way. Lists are kept too: Slack has no list markup, so each item arrives as a line starting with a dash or number, which still reads as a list.
Can I convert in both directions?
Yes! Use the toggle at the top of the converter to switch between "Markdown → Slack" and "Slack → Markdown" modes. You can also use the swap button (⇄) to reverse direction and move your output to the input field.
Is this tool free to use?
Yes, this converter is completely free with no sign-up required. Use it as many times as you need in either direction.
Does this tool store my text?
No, all conversion happens directly in your browser. Your text is never sent to any server or stored anywhere. Your data stays completely private.
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