r/raerth • • Aug 01 '10

Reddit Comment Formatting

18-Nov-2011: Updated to include the latest markdown changes.

Contents

  1. Basic text formatting (Italics, Bold, Strikethrough, Superscript, inline code, Quoting)
  2. Linking
  3. Line Breaks & Paragraphs
  4. Lists
  5. Tables
  6. Block Code
  7. Headlines and Horizontals

1. Basic Text Formatting

Italics are created using either a single asterisk (*) or single underscore (_).

Example:

This is *italic text*, this is also _italic text_.

becomes:

This is italic text, this is also italic text.

Bold text is created with double asterisks (**) or double underscores (__).

Example:

This is **bold text**, this is also __bold text__.

becomes:

This is bold text, this is also bold text.

Strikethrough text is created using a double tilde (~~).

Example:

This is ~~strikethrough text~~.

becomes:

This is strikethrough text.

Superscript text is created using the carot (^).

Example:

This sentence contains super^script.

becomes:

This sentence contains superscript.

Note that you cannot leave space before the carot, and there is no closing tag.

Superscript can also be stackedlikethis.

inline code (monospaced text) is created using the backtick (grave accents) (`).

Example:

This sentence contains inline code: `javascript:alert("hello world");`

becomes:

This sentence contains inline code: javascript:alert("hello world");

Quoting is achieved by starting a line with an Angle Bracket (>)

Example:

>Here's a quote.

>Another paragraph in the same quote.
>>A nested quote.

>Back to a single quote.

And finally some unquoted text.

becomes:

Here's a quote.

Another paragraph in the same quote.

A nested quote.

Back to a single quote.

And finally some unquoted text.

To remove formatting you will need to use a Backslash (\)

Example:

This sentence escapes \*italic text\* and \*\*bold text\*\*.

becomes:

This sentence escapes *italic text* and **bold text**.

2. Linking

Creating a link

Example:

[Reddit](http://reddit.com)

becomes:

Reddit

You cannot begin a link with "www", it must begin with one of the following URL schemes:

  • http://
  • https://
  • ftp://
  • mailto:
  • steam://
  • irc://
  • news://
  • mumble://
  • ssh://

You can also provide title text for links:

[Reddit](http://reddit.com "what's new online!").

becomes:

Reddit ← (hover!)

Title text can be used to hide spoilers:

[spoiler](/s"The spoiler text goes here")

becomes:

spoiler ← (hover!)

Reddit now recognises when you want to link to a subreddit.

Example:

This is a shameless plug for /r/BritishTV!

becomes:

This is a shameless plug for /r/BritishTV!

If a URL contains brackets you will need to escape these.

Example without escaping:

[Cube](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cube_(film))

becomes:

Cube) ← (note the surplus bracket!)

Example with escaping:

[Cube](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cube_(film\))

becomes:

Cube ← (no surplus bracket!)

3. Line Breaks & Paragraphs

Line breaks in comments are achieved by adding four spaces (shown using ░) to the end of the line. Simply hitting return (shown using ↵) will not work.

Example:

First line↵
Second line

becomes:

First line Second line

but:

First line░░░░↵
Second line

becomes:

First line
Second line

Paragraphs are formed when you hit return (shown using ↵) twice.

First Paragraph↵
↵
Second Paragraph

becomes:

First Paragraph

Second Paragraph

4. Lists

To create Unordered Lists each item should begin with either an asterisk (*), plus sign (+) or minus sign (-).

Example:

* Item 1
+ Item 2
- Item 3

becomes:

  • Item 1
  • Item 2
  • Item 3

Ordered Lists are created with a number and period. It doesn't matter which number you start with, as markdown will always start with 1.

Example:

3. Item 1
2. Item 2
1. Item 3

becomes:

  1. Item 1
  2. Item 2
  3. Item 3

The markup for Nested Lists has changed slightly:

Example:

1. This is Item 1
2.
░░░░1. This is Item 2.1
░░░░2. This is Item 2.2
3. This is Item 3
4. This is Item 4

becomes:

  1. This is Item 1
    1. This is Item 2.1
    2. This is Item 2.2
  2. This is Item 3
  3. This is Item 4

Lists should be clear of any text in the line immediately above and below, the same as making a new paragraph:

This is the wrong way to make a list
1. lorem
2. ispum
reddit doesn't realize it should listify...

becomes:

This is the wrong way to make a list 1. lorem 2. ispum reddit doesn't realize it should listify...

Place lists in their own paragraph:

This is the correct way to make a list

  1. lorem
  2. ispum

reddit realizes it should listify!

Paragraphs in Lists and Nested lists using a combination of ordered and unordered lists, are no longer supported.

5. Tables

Tables are created using pipes (|):

Example

Left align | Center align | Right align
:--|:--:|--:
This | This | This
column | column | column
will | will | will
be | be | be
left | center | right
aligned | aligned | aligned

becomes:

Left align Center align Right align
This This This
column column column
will will will
be be be
left center right
aligned aligned aligned

Note that by default the first row is always bolded.

Column Alignment is determined by the second row.

Use ":--:" for centre aligned text, "--:" for right, and ":--" for left.

You can also leave the top row empty, as long as you have the correct amount of pipes:

||
:--|:--:|--:
the|top|row
is|now|empty

becomes

the top
is now

6. Block code

Displaying block code, without formatting and in monospaced font, is as simple as starting the line with four spaces (shown using ░).

Example:

░░░░line of code
░░░░░░░░line of code
░░░░░░░░░░░░line of code
░░░░░░░░line of code
░░░░line of code

becomes:

line of code
line of code
line of code
line of code
line of code

7. Headlines & Horizonal Rules

Headline text can be created by using a number of hashes (#) corresponding to the tag you want. Headline tags will format all text until it encounters a Line Break or new Paragraph.

# Headline 1
## Headline 2
### Headline 3

becomes:

Headline 1

Headline 2

Headline 3

NOTE: Markdown supports up to six headline tags, but only the first three have default formatting.

To create a Horizontal Rule, simply add three asterisks (*) to an empty line.

***

becomes:


And Finally...

I hope you find this useful. If you want to say thanks, you can always buy me a coffee and I'll love you longtime.

3.9k Upvotes

4.4k comments sorted by

14

u/Jameshfisher Sep 01 '10

What you call a forward slash is actually a backslash.

6

u/Raerth Dec 10 '10

Doh! Always make that mistake...

6

u/djimbob Apr 01 '11

I used to always make that mistake too. Then I realized that ordinary division (like in fractions 1/2) use the normal forward slash and backslashes are the other one (the backwards division sign). (I know this conversation is long dead; but eh).

0

u/[deleted] May 30 '11

[deleted]

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5

u/Yggdrazzil Aug 03 '10

Thanks a lot! Can you show how you format colors, hide your text etc?

For example if you want to talk about the ending of a movie but don't want to spoil it for people who haven't seen the ending yet?

5

u/Raerth Aug 03 '10

Both colors and spoiler text are not part of the default formatting.

When you moderate a subreddit, you have the option of adding customized CSS. This allows you to control the formatting of the entire page, including font color and size.

There are ways to view custom style sheets, but if you are new to the world of css it would be easier to message the moderator and ask them what the formatting rules are in that subreddit. Good moderators should have this info in the sidebar or FAQ.

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3

u/SgtSausage Aug 02 '10

==> To create a Horizontal Rule, simply add four minus signs (-) to an empty line.

Or three asterisks:

***


2

u/Raerth Aug 02 '10

Nice, I'll change that!

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5

u/jumbledash Nov 17 '21 edited Nov 17 '21

Don’t mind me.
Just practicing.

  • First

  • Second

  • Third

DogsCatsBirds
LabradorMaine CoonPigeon
DalmatianPersianCockatiel

Extra

Extra

Read all about it!

I wonder if any newspaper sellers ever said thatprobablynot

Adding instructions for comment spoilers: > ! Text you want to hide goes here ! <

It’s a trap

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4

u/klaengur Jan 16 '11

must save

2

u/simpleabc Feb 03 '11

I saved it as well. It helped me out with a numbered list.

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4

u/Alyna143 Dec 11 '21 edited Jan 05 '22

I love how everyone is still commenting but hey

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1

u/ConfitOfDuck Aug 30 '10

Is there a way to show subscript or superscript?

2

u/Raerth Dec 10 '10

There is a way now to show superscript (which you're probably aware of by now).

Subscript is only possible if a mod has added custom CSS to the subreddit.

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3

u/[deleted] Apr 27 '22

poop

poop

poop

poop

omg it works

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2

u/EnJay64 Oct 25 '21

I am here before this gets archived.


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2

u/CryptoFurball75 Dec 03 '21

this should become large text

2

u/Rhetorical_Save Dec 08 '21

ro·bot

/ˈrōˌbät,ˈrōbət/

noun 1. (especially in science fiction) a machine resembling a human being and able to replicate certain human movements and functions automatically.

2

u/chonk_fox89 Apr 09 '22

An awesome guide!! Commenting so I can find it again!

2

u/Hxrn Oct 26 '22

Thanks for all these :)

2

u/ThankTheBaker Jan 29 '23

So let me just test this out now

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2

u/SarkBM Feb 08 '23
|__/\
(  .__. )
/   \🍿\
__/  _/

2

u/Far_Pair8924 Apr 11 '23

Finally

I keep forgetting each one.

Wonder what this does.

[spoiler]Does this work?

Lists ig

  • one

  • two

  • three

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2

u/BigFinnsWetRide May 06 '23

you are amazing!

2

u/[deleted] Jul 14 '23

People usually suck, but this guy is awesome

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2

u/BrenFL Sep 21 '23

This is the the best post I have ever found on reddit. I am grinning from ear to ear right now.

2

u/caelinday Nov 08 '23

omfg i've been using paragraph spacing for line breaks omg
poop

poop

2

u/[deleted] Mar 23 '24 edited Mar 23 '24

test

misogyny misandry

equality

love

hi

abrahamic religion sucks sweaty balls

cucumber

banana bread

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2

u/Dashometry Dec 21 '25 edited Dec 21 '25

KNOB

  • test

  • test

  • test

aaa
123
456
789

aa

2

u/Jabbernaut5 Feb 19 '26

Testing table in a comment:

Left alignCenter alignRight align
ThisThisThis
columncolumncolumn
willwillwill
bebebe
leftcenterright
alignedalignedaligned

And standard markdown:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
ABC
DEF
GHI

2

u/palbertalamp Apr 04 '26

Nicely laid out info

1

u/drtyfrnk Aug 05 '10

Thanks so much Raerth!

1

u/[deleted] Sep 15 '10

Okay... but how do you make the skeptic eyes?

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1

u/lancepants42 Jan 14 '11

Can you use italics or bold in titles?

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1

u/[deleted] Sep 07 '22

Saving this

1

u/tinyshumblepawn Feb 09 '23 edited Feb 09 '23

huuh

1

u/[deleted] Jun 09 '23

test

test

1

u/Zulfaqarsolah Mar 05 '24

test

  1. Point 1

  2. Point 2

  3. Point 3

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1

u/TheFauwwboy Mar 06 '24 edited Mar 06 '24

bold italic superscript strikethrough code spoiler quote

1

u/TheFauwwboy Mar 06 '24

hello | Goodbye

1

u/username78777 Mar 09 '24

*test*

Test2

1

u/abachhd Mar 11 '24 edited Mar 11 '24

Test body:

  • test1

  • test2

1

u/Cas_yes Mar 13 '24

test 1 test 2

1

u/[deleted] Mar 15 '24

test

1

u/verysmartboy101 Mar 16 '24

This|is|a|test :--|:--:|--: 1|1|1|1 2|2|2|2 3|3|3|3

1

u/BrotherhoodExile Mar 16 '24 edited Mar 16 '24

Test

Test

TestTest

Test

Test

Test

  • Test1

  • Test2

  • Test3

Test

1

u/[deleted] Mar 17 '24 edited Mar 17 '24

murky outgoing connect sip badge simplistic jellyfish dependent makeshift shrill

This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact

1

u/PancakeMoth Mar 17 '24
  • test

  • Test

  • Test

testing

1

u/[deleted] Mar 18 '24

~~test~~

1

u/[deleted] Mar 18 '24

~~ test ~~

1

u/Get_a_Grip_comic Mar 19 '24

testing horizontal rule


test

1

u/GeoSoccer Mar 20 '24

**+Test

**+Test

1

u/alley--cat Mar 21 '24 edited Mar 22 '24

test Test Test

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1

u/hugo_1138 Mar 21 '24 edited Mar 21 '24

**test**

1

u/Temporary_Ad_2033 Mar 23 '24

test      

test2

1

u/Neplii Mar 25 '24

that:░░░░

a-asd░░░░ xyz

b.

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1

u/Neplii Mar 25 '24

Another

Test

avc:

-This means

-xyz

1

u/TinkeringEngineer Mar 25 '24
Left alignCenter alignRight align
ThisThisThis
columncolumncolumn
willwillwill
bebebe
leftcenterright
alignedalignedaligned

1

u/RiversideAviator Mar 28 '24 edited Mar 28 '24

How about indenting? When I want to do indent a line it appears as a greyed box

1

u/[deleted] Mar 29 '24

This is the first result on Google when searching for Reddit formatting . Congrats!

And thank you so much for the info!

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1

u/LeftoverBun Mar 30 '24

How do I type a single hashtag when it represents a designation of number. For example in place of typing

No. 1 seed

I want to type (hashtag or telephone pound)1 seed

1

u/dumpsterfirefr Apr 03 '24

test

testing

lorem ipsum

lorem ipsum

testing

>>testing

1

u/Prime_Dark_Heroes Apr 06 '24

how do you do under script? like H_2O or H_(sub2)_O

1

u/Top-Fault-7861 Apr 06 '24 edited Apr 06 '24

**Test**

1

u/Ok_Entertainment7006 Apr 07 '24

I was a bank robber who came face to face with an ancient evil

1

u/TheGreydiant Apr 08 '24

[Reddit](http//:reddit.com)

1

u/[deleted] Apr 08 '24 edited Apr 08 '24

*- i like pickles *- do you like pickles *- we all like pickles

Damnit

  • p

  • pp

  • ppp

Nailed it

1

u/Siilk Apr 10 '24

Testtesttesttest

1

u/Siilk Apr 10 '24

test test

1

u/[deleted] Apr 11 '24

How to add the quote part?
| testing

testing

1

u/hbkdll Apr 13 '24

I wanted to learn line break very much.
Because all this time I had be only doing paragraphs.

They make a simple short content look wayyyyy longer

1

u/hbkdll Apr 13 '24

quote

Nested quite?

1

u/hbkdll Apr 13 '24

Damn

They should have made it easier

Or should had a page to help the lost souls

1

u/hbkdll Apr 13 '24

I | want | table But | don't | care About | what | it Would | be | .

1

u/Healthy_Agent_100 Apr 14 '24 edited Apr 14 '24

1

u/SuPrEmE_2004 Apr 17 '24

Sisidjdndj jsksksjs siikdjdk

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1

u/SuPrEmE_2004 Apr 17 '24

Skksksks
Ssjsk

1

u/SuPrEmE_2004 Apr 17 '24

Sksidkdn
Sjsjsj

1

u/Interesting_Worth745 Apr 19 '24

_italic_
__bold__

1

u/Hermorah Apr 19 '24 edited Apr 20 '24
tsttesttes
tsettes

1

u/veb7 Apr 21 '24

Sweet.

1

u/Laguera256 Apr 21 '24

Nothing I try works.

** bold **

**bold**

*Italic*

1

u/[deleted] Apr 21 '24

a

1

u/[deleted] Apr 22 '24

Test

This is a headline

1

u/[deleted] Apr 22 '24

Ok testing <

1

u/[deleted] Apr 22 '24

Testing3

1

u/anonkun666 Apr 22 '24

*text*

****

1

u/TheFauwwboy Apr 23 '24

Header ***


Text

1

u/TheFauwwboy Apr 23 '24

Athlete. ***(epic, legendary)

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1

u/stanitor Apr 24 '24

eiπ + 1

1

u/[deleted] Apr 25 '24

Okay

bold also bold

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1

u/[deleted] Apr 25 '24

Just for testing

1

u/[deleted] Apr 25 '24

The comments section is a testing platform.

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1

u/SWETHORT Apr 26 '24

damn 13 years later and people are still commenting

1

u/[deleted] Apr 29 '24

bold test

i am A human, this action is preformed manually

1

u/rahul3221 Apr 30 '24

Large text Test

1

u/TheFauwwboy Apr 30 '24

Chapter test Current information

1

u/Apollyoun May 02 '24

This is just for pratice

1

u/WeatherImpressive808 May 03 '24
HelloIam
Justtestingthis
Featurejustso
Youknowwhat
Iamdoing

1

u/eli_bar May 05 '24

*test*

  • test

  • test

  • test

1

u/[deleted] May 07 '24 edited May 07 '24

block code
cost = 0
cost = 0

another block code

cost = 0
cost = 0

1

u/SoranSkies May 07 '24

Testing paragraph 1.

Testing paragraph 2.

Testing paragraph 3.

Testing paragraph 4.

1

u/kalinrj May 08 '24

Ihatethiscommentsection

1

u/InfiniteHeiress May 11 '24 edited May 11 '24

Testing indent command (>) and italicize asterisk no space asterisk

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) says that paying off your credit cards in full each month is actually the best way to improve your credit score and maintain excellent credit for the long haul. -source

1

u/InfiniteHeiress May 11 '24

‘Censor test’

censor test

1

u/Bnowser May 11 '24

poontang

1

u/sidd555 May 16 '24 edited May 23 '24

First line
Second line
Third line


Main header

sub header

subsub header

Int main()

with a quote
More quotes?

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1

u/TheCommongametroller May 17 '24

Ok this is helpful but how do I make text with shading on top that won’t dissapear until clicked?

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1

u/[deleted] May 18 '24

this was helpful

1

u/No-Common-5772 May 21 '24

hi there how are you

1

u/PlaceYourBets2021 May 24 '24

hidden text test.

1

u/Nie_wiem_lol May 29 '24

(Text text text ##text)

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1

u/[deleted] May 30 '24

YOUR MOM#

1

u/[deleted] May 30 '24

yaya

1

u/[deleted] May 30 '24

░hiya

1

u/[deleted] May 30 '24

The|top|row

1

u/JackSparrowsLove Jun 02 '24 edited Jun 02 '24

Test ordered list.

“.” One

“.” two

“)” three with paren

:—|:—| :col| : col2|

Col 1 | col 2 | col 3 |

1

u/Playful-Dance1554 Jun 04 '24

table test | table test | table test

:----|:----|----:

why | doesn't | this work

1

u/Tough_Restaurant9828 Jun 09 '24

**bold text doesn't work i have tried everyway people have said it literally does nothing** see __bold text doesn't work i have tried everyway people have said it literally does nothing__ stop lying this BS does not work.

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1

u/Nathanull Jun 10 '24 edited Jun 10 '24

struggling so much with

creating spaces

    

between quote texts 

1

u/Excellent-Lynx533 Jun 12 '24

Ideleted it & I can say it worked but still...FUCK U^~~&YOMOMMA~~

Lmao... jk... I'm just trying to catch up to The Times cause I've never really big.Daddy ever attempted any type of code so that was fine? Thank you guys.. And I definitely don't mean what the text says, just talking shit

1

u/Warrx121 Jun 14 '24

[spoiler]test

1

u/szoksqacz Jun 16 '24 edited Jun 16 '24

testing

testing spoiler

1

u/BusinessRelevant4286 Jun 18 '24

when i'm in averrückt werden competition

1

u/Beneficial_Neck_8805 Jun 19 '24

Left align | Center align | Right align

:--|:--:|--:

This | This | This

column | column | column

will | will | will

be | be | be

left | center | right

aligned | aligned | aligned