# Markdown Linter Check Markdown for style issues: heading levels, code fences, list consistency, and more (zero-dependency rule engine) > Canonical page: https://elysiatools.com/en/tools/markdown-linter - **Category:** Development - **Keywords:** markdown, linter, lint, style, check, validator, markdown lint, heading levels ## Overview The Markdown Linter is a zero-dependency rule engine designed to analyze your Markdown text for style issues, including inconsistent heading levels, unclosed code fences, and irregular list formatting. ## Inputs - **Markdown Input** (textarea): Paste your Markdown to lint... - **Rule Set** (select) - **Report Format** (select) ## When to use - Before committing documentation to a repository to ensure consistent styling. - When troubleshooting broken rendering in Markdown parsers caused by malformed list structures or heading levels. - To standardize formatting across multi-author technical blogs or documentation sites. ## How it works - Paste your Markdown content into the input text area. - Select your preferred rule set (Standard, Relaxed, or Strict) and choose the output report format (Text or JSON). - Run the linter to view the validation report highlighting style issues. ## Use cases - Validating technical documentation files before publishing to a static site generator. - Auditing README files in open-source repositories for consistent heading hierarchies. - Checking automated Markdown reports generated by scripts for formatting errors. ## Frequently asked questions ### What rules does the linter check? It checks heading levels, code fence closures, list consistency, and general Markdown style guidelines. ### What is the difference between the Standard, Relaxed, and Strict rule sets? Standard applies common style rules, Relaxed ignores minor formatting deviations, and Strict enforces rigid structural and spacing guidelines. ### Can I export the linting report? Yes, you can generate the report in either plain text or JSON format. ### Does this tool modify my Markdown file? No, it only analyzes the text and reports style issues without altering your original input. ### Does the linter support external plugins? No, it runs on a built-in, zero-dependency rule engine. ## Related tools - [Markdown Link Checker](https://elysiatools.com/en/tools/markdown-link-checker): Statically check Markdown links for format errors, broken anchors, and undefined references (no network requests) - [Batch URL Validator](https://elysiatools.com/en/tools/batch-url-validator): Validate multiple URLs at once with format checking and security analysis - [Batch Email Validator](https://elysiatools.com/en/tools/batch-email-validator): Validate multiple email addresses at once with format checking and basic quality analysis - [Markdown Lint and Style Checker](https://elysiatools.com/en/tools/markdown-lint-style-checker): Lint Markdown against ~15 markdownlint rules plus 2 Chinese-typography rules, with line-located reports and one-click auto-fix of safe issues - [Batch Phone Validator](https://elysiatools.com/en/tools/batch-phone-validator): Validate and format multiple phone numbers at once with international format support - [Data URI Generator](https://elysiatools.com/en/tools/data-uri-generator): Convert files into Data URIs (Base64 or percent-encoded) for inlining images, fonts, and assets directly into HTML, CSS, or Markdown - [Maintenance Fluid Rate (4-2-1 Rule)](https://elysiatools.com/en/tools/fluid-maintenance-rate): Calculate the hourly maintenance fluid rate using the Holliday-Segar 4-2-1 rule: first 10 kg at 4 mL/kg/h, next 10 kg at 2 mL/kg/h, each kg above 20 at 1 mL/kg/h. Also shows the 24-hour total and the 100/50/20 mL/kg/day daily method for cross-checking. Weight in kg or lb (auto-converted). Derived from Holliday-Segar Pediatrics 1957, MDCalc, and Meyers 2009. Not medical advice. - [Markdown Link Extractor](https://elysiatools.com/en/tools/markdown-link-extractor): Extract inline links, reference links, and bare URLs from Markdown documents with basic syntax validation ## Samples - [Markdown Slide Deck Samples](https://elysiatools.com/en/samples/md-slide-deck-to-pdf): Remark/Marp style Markdown slide decks for testing PDF export layouts - [Markdown Samples](https://elysiatools.com/en/samples/markdown-samples): Markdown format examples from simple to complex document structures - [Markdown Viewer Samples](https://elysiatools.com/en/samples/markdown-viewer-samples): Sample Markdown files for README preview, documentation rendering, and rich-text markup tests - [PDF Samples](https://elysiatools.com/en/samples/pdf-samples): Generated PDF samples from tools dated 2026-02-01 to 2026-02-10 ## Related content - [Code Minify, Beautify, and Format Tools](https://elysiatools.com/en/hubs/code-minify-beautify-format-tools): Prepare code and markup for review or delivery with readable formatting, compact output, and preservation checks.