Markdown Bold
Last updated: 2026-10-14
Bold CommonMark core
Wrap text with two asterisks ** to make it bold; double underscores __ also work. Prefer asterisks for mid-word emphasis — they are more compatible across renderers.
| Group | Basic: Inline |
|---|---|
| Spec level | CommonMark core |
| Spec version | CommonMark 0.31.2 + GFM |
📝 Syntax
**bold text** or __bold text__▶ Live Example
Edit Markdown on the left, see the result on the right
💡 Key points
💡 Tip Asterisks must hug the text: ** text ** with inner spaces will not render as bold.
ℹ️ Note Bold is inline — it nests inside headings, list items and table cells.
❓ FAQ
Q Can bold combine with italic?
A Yes. Use three asterisks: ***text*** renders bold and italic.
Q Why does __ sometimes fail?
A Renderers disagree on intraword underscores; asterisks are the safe choice.
Q How to show a literal asterisk?
A Escape it: \* outputs a literal * without emphasis.
📚 See also
ItalicCommonMark core Emphasis Nesting & PrecedenceCommonMark core