How to open a Markdown file online
Three steps, a few seconds, no software.
Open your .RST file
Drop it on the box, choose it from your device, or paste the text straight in.
View it rendered
Your .RST file opens formatted, with headings, lists, tables and code all in place.
Read, edit or export
Browse with the table of contents, tweak the text, then download HTML or save as PDF.
What is a .RST file?
The plain-text way to write formatted documents.
An RST file is a reStructuredText document, plain text with lightweight markup used mainly for Python and software documentation. Open and edit it in any text editor; VS Code with the reStructuredText extension gives syntax highlighting and a live preview. To render it as HTML or PDF, run Docutils (rst2html) or Sphinx.
Programs that open .RST files
| Full name | reStructuredText Document |
|---|---|
| Developer | David Goodger / Python Doc-SIG (Docutils project) |
| First released | 2002 (David Goodger, first release April 2, 2002) |
| Category | Text & Code |
| MIME type | text/x-rst |
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Every viewer is free to use.
Frequently asked questions
Is my .RST file uploaded?
No. Markdown is rendered for you.
Why don't my images show?
Images stored next to the .md file (like images/screenshot.png) aren't part of the file you opened, so we show a placeholder with the path. Images with a full web address (https://…) load normally.
Is it safe to open Markdown from strangers?
Yes. Markdown can contain raw HTML, so every rendered page is cleaned with DOMPurify: scripts, event handlers and dangerous links are removed before anything is shown.
Can I edit the Markdown?
Yes. In Split or Source view the left pane is editable and the preview updates as you type. Download the edited .md when you're done.
How do I make a PDF?
Click Print / PDF and choose Save as PDF in the print dialog. Only the rendered document is printed, without the page around it.
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