Strip markdown syntax and convert formatted markdown to clean plain text. Remove headers, bold, italic, links, images, code blocks, lists, and blockquotes — with a live preview and copy button.
Plain text output updates live. Toggle options to control what gets stripped.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Markdown Cleaner do?
It removes markdown formatting syntax and leaves readable plain text. Headers lose their # symbols, bold and italic markers are stripped, links become just the link text, and list bullets are removed.
What markdown formats are supported?
Common markdown syntax — ATX headers, bold, italic, links, images, inline code, fenced code blocks, ordered and unordered lists, blockquotes, and horizontal rules.
Will link URLs be kept?
By default, links are converted to their display text only — [click here](url) becomes "click here." The URL itself is removed unless it appears as plain text elsewhere.
Is my text stored or sent anywhere?
No. All cleaning runs entirely in your browser. Your text never leaves your device.
Is this tool free and does it work on mobile?
Yes on both counts. The Markdown Cleaner on draft21 is completely free with no sign-up required and works on all devices.