How to Open .md Files?
The short answer: .md is a document format called Markdown. Notepad can open it but shows only symbols. Install mdview (1.7MB), and then double-click any .md file to read it like a webpage — with beautifully formatted headings, lists, images, and tables.
1.7MB installer · Zero config · Runs locally, never uploads files · Community Edition free forever
What exactly is a .md file?
.md is the file extension for Markdown documents (full name Markdown, sometimes written as .markdown). It's a plain-text format that uses simple symbols for formatting:
- ·
# Heading→ renders as a large heading - ·
**text**→ renders as bold - ·
- item→ renders as a list item
Think of it as "a txt file with formatting instructions": the file itself is plain text, so Notepad can open it. But to see the formatted result (with heading hierarchy, lists, images like a webpage), you need a tool that can "render" it — that's exactly what a Markdown viewer does.
Open-source project READMEs (README.md), AI-generated answers (ChatGPT / DeepSeek), and colleagues' documentation notes are mostly in this format. To learn more, see Markdown in 3 Minutes or What is a .md file?
Why does my md file show only # and * symbols?
The file is not corrupted, and it's not garbled. You're seeing the Markdown "source code" — the formatting symbols themselves. Notepad only displays raw text; it doesn't turn # into a heading or ** into bold text.
This is the same reason why opening an HTML file in Notepad shows nothing but tags. To see the proper formatting, just open it with mdview. For a more detailed explanation, see Why does my .md file show only # symbols?
3 Ways to Open md Files
Choose based on your device and needs — the first is the easiest
Windows: Double-click with mdview
Download and install mdview (1.7MB). It automatically associates .md files during installation, so you can double-click any md file to read it instantly, press Esc to exit. Runs locally, files never uploaded.
Detailed comparison of 3 Windows methods →Android: Install mdview APK
Received .md files in chat, downloaded notes from cloud storage? Install mdview for Android and open them directly with full rendering. Free, ad-free, no registration.
Complete Android reading guide →Quick view: Online tools
Don't want to install software? Paste the content into an online Markdown preview site. But you'll need to copy-paste every time, local images may not display, and privacy-sensitive documents are not recommended.
Notepad vs mdview vs Editor — What's the difference?
| Comparison | Notepad | mdview | Code Editor |
|---|---|---|---|
| See formatted result | ✕ Only symbols | ✓ Full rendering | ✓ Manual preview |
| Double-click to open | ✓ But unreadable | ✓ Instant | 3–5s startup |
| Local images | ✕ Not shown | ✓ Auto-loaded | ✓ Supported |
| Learning curve | None | Install once, zero config | Higher |
| Best for | Glancing at source | Daily md reading | Coding/editing |
More questions about .md files
What is a .md file?
# for headings, ** for bold, - for lists). Open-source project READMEs and AI-generated answers mostly use it. See What is a .md file?
How do I open md files on Windows?
Why does my md file show only # and * symbols? Is it broken?
# means heading, * means bold or list. Notepad only displays raw text without rendering formatting. Open it with mdview to see proper headings, lists, and bold text. See Why does my .md file show only # symbols?
Now, try double-clicking your .md file
1.7MB installer, one-click install, zero configuration, runs locally. Community Edition is free forever, ad-free.
Supports Windows 10 / 11 · Android 7.0+ · Back to mdview Home for more