How to Convert Markdown to HTML

Need to convert your markdown files to HTML? Whether you're building a website, creating documentation, or publishing blog content, converting markdown to HTML is a common task. In this guide, you'll learn how to do it quickly and easily using a free browser extension.

The best part? You don't need any command-line tools, online converters, or complicated software. Everything happens right in your browser with images embedded as Base64, creating truly standalone HTML files that work anywhere.

Why Convert Markdown to HTML?

Markdown is great for writing, but HTML is what browsers understand. Here are common reasons to convert markdown to HTML:

• Website Content: Publish your markdown documents directly to your website
• Email Newsletters: Create formatted HTML emails from markdown drafts
• Documentation: Generate HTML documentation from markdown files
• Blog Posts: Convert markdown articles to HTML for your CMS
• Presentations: Create HTML slideshows from markdown content

Using MarkView Browser Extension

MarkView is a free browser extension that lets you view and export markdown files with beautiful formatting. It's the easiest way to convert markdown to HTML without any setup - no command line, no complex tools required.

Step 1: Install MarkView Extension

1. Open your Chromium browser (Chrome, Edge, Brave, etc.)
2. Visit your browser's extension store and search for "MarkView"
3. Click the install button to add the extension
4. Grant the necessary permissions when prompted

Step 2: Open Your Markdown File

There are several ways to open your markdown file in your browser:

• Drag and Drop: Drag your .md file directly into a browser tab
• File Menu: Press Ctrl+O (Windows) or Cmd+O (Mac) and select your file
• Double-click: If you've set your browser as the default app for .md files, just double-click the file

MarkView will automatically render your markdown file with beautiful formatting, including syntax highlighting for 180+ programming languages, Mermaid diagrams, KaTeX math equations, tables, and GitHub-style alerts.

Step 3: Export to HTML

Once your markdown file is open and rendered:

1. Click the floating action button with the MarkView logo (located in the bottom-right corner)
2. Select "Export to HTML" from the export menu
3. Wait for the export process to complete (a progress modal will show images being converted to Base64)
4. Your browser will automatically download the standalone HTML file

That's it! Your markdown file is now converted to a truly standalone HTML file with all images embedded, CSS inlined, and formatting preserved. The file works anywhere without external dependencies.

What Gets Preserved in the HTML Export?

MarkView's HTML export creates a truly standalone document with everything embedded:

• Embedded Images: All images converted to Base64 data URLs (up to 5MB per image) with automatic caching
• Syntax Highlighting: Code blocks with language-specific highlighting (180+ languages)
• Optimized File Size: Intelligent CSS filtering reduces export size by 40-60% compared to raw exports
• Code Display Modes: Choose between wrapped or scrollable code blocks for better readability
• Print Optimization: Print-friendly styles automatically included for professional documents
• Mermaid Diagrams: Flowcharts, sequence diagrams, Gantt charts, and more
• KaTeX Math: Mathematical equations and formulas rendered beautifully
• Tables: GitHub-flavored markdown tables with professional styling
• Task Lists: Checkboxes for to-do lists
• GitHub Alerts: Note, Tip, Important, Warning, and Caution callouts
• Custom Containers: Info, warning, danger, details, and spoiler containers
• Definition Lists: Term and description pairs
• Theme Support: Light or dark mode styling with consistent design tokens
• Inline CSS: All styles embedded, no external dependencies

Advanced Tips for Better HTML Export

1. Choose the Right Theme

Before exporting, select a theme that matches your website's design. MarkView offers multiple syntax highlighting themes including GitHub, Monokai, Dracula, and more.

2. Embedded Images Are Automatic

MarkView automatically converts all images to Base64 and embeds them directly in the HTML. This means your exported file is truly portable - no need to keep images in a separate folder. Perfect for sharing documentation or publishing content.

3. Test Your Code Blocks

Make sure to specify the language for your code blocks in markdown. For example:

```javascript
function hello() {
  console.log("Hello, World!");
}
```

This ensures proper syntax highlighting in the exported HTML.

4. Understand Image Limits

MarkView can embed images up to 5MB each. For best results:

• Compress large images before adding them to your markdown
• Use JPEG for photos (smaller file size) and PNG for graphics
• The export process shows a progress bar while converting images to Base64
• All images are cached during export for faster processing

Real-World Use Cases

Creating Website Content

Many developers write content in markdown and convert it to HTML for their websites. MarkView makes this process instant and preserves all formatting including code examples.

Building Documentation

Technical documentation often includes code samples, diagrams, and tables. MarkView's HTML export maintains all these elements perfectly, making it ideal for creating standalone documentation pages.

Email Newsletters

Write your newsletter in markdown, then export to HTML for use in your email marketing platform. With all styles inlined and images embedded as Base64, your formatting displays correctly across email clients without external dependencies.

Why MarkView Over Other Methods?

There are several ways to convert markdown to HTML, but MarkView offers unique advantages:

• No Command Line: Unlike Pandoc or other CLI tools, MarkView works entirely in your browser with a simple click
• Visual Preview: See exactly how your HTML will look before exporting
• Truly Standalone: Unlike basic converters, MarkView embeds all images as Base64, creates portable HTML that works anywhere
• Rich Formatting: Preserves syntax highlighting, Mermaid diagrams, KaTeX math, GitHub alerts, and custom containers
• Intelligent CSS: Only includes necessary styles, resulting in clean, optimized HTML (40-60% smaller than raw exports)
• Offline Support: Works without an internet connection once installed
• No Limits: Export as many files as you want, no usage restrictions

💡 Pro Tips

• Use keyboard shortcuts to speed up your workflow
• Customize your theme before exporting for brand consistency
• Test the HTML in different browsers to ensure compatibility
• Keep a backup of your original markdown file
• Use semantic markdown headings (H1, H2, H3) for better HTML structure

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Images Not Loading or Missing in Export

Issue: Some images don't appear in the exported HTML file.

Solution: MarkView waits up to 10 seconds for lazy-loaded images before starting the export process. If images still don't load:

• Scroll through the entire document before exporting to trigger lazy image loading
• Check that image URLs are accessible (not blocked by CORS or authentication)
• Ensure images are under 5MB each (larger images are automatically skipped)
• Verify image file formats are supported (JPEG, PNG, GIF, WebP, SVG)

Export Takes Too Long

Issue: The export process seems stuck or takes several minutes.

Solution: Export time depends on the number and size of images in your document:

• Images are converted to Base64 and cached during export for efficiency
• Each image can take up to 30 seconds to fetch if hosted on slow servers
• Consider compressing large images before adding them to your markdown
• The progress modal shows real-time status - if it's stuck at a specific percentage, a remote image may be timing out

Exported HTML File is Too Large

Issue: The exported HTML file size is larger than expected.

Solution: Large file sizes are usually caused by embedded Base64 images:

• Base64 encoding increases image size by approximately 33%
• Compress images before embedding (use JPEG for photos, optimize PNGs)
• MarkView's intelligent CSS filtering already reduces export size by 40-60%
• Consider hosting very large images externally and linking to them instead

Styles Look Different in Exported HTML

Issue: The exported HTML doesn't match what you see in MarkView.

Solution: This is rare but can happen if:

• You're using custom CSS that wasn't properly extracted - report this issue
• Your browser has extensions interfering with CSS - try exporting in incognito mode
• Check that you're viewing the exported HTML in a modern browser (not Internet Explorer)

Conclusion

Converting markdown to HTML doesn't have to be complicated. With MarkView, you can transform your markdown files into truly standalone HTML in just a few clicks. The extension automatically embeds all images as Base64, inlines all CSS, and preserves all your formatting including syntax highlighting, Mermaid diagrams, KaTeX math equations, and GitHub alerts.

The result? A single HTML file that works anywhere without external dependencies - perfect for documentation, email newsletters, blog posts, or website content. Install MarkView today and streamline your markdown-to-HTML workflow with intelligent export features that save you time and effort.