Markdown Paragraphs
Last updated: 2026-10-14
Paragraphs CommonMark core
A paragraph is the most basic block: one or more lines of text. Separate paragraphs with a blank line — without it, adjacent lines merge into one paragraph. This trips up almost every beginner.
| Group | Basic: Block |
|---|---|
| Spec level | CommonMark core |
| Spec version | CommonMark 0.31.2 + GFM |
📝 Syntax
First paragraph
Second paragraph (blank line between)▶ Live Example
Edit Markdown on the left, see the result on the right
💡 Key points
ℹ️ Note A blank line contains no characters at all — a line with only spaces does not count.
💡 Tip Press Enter twice between paragraphs until it becomes muscle memory.
❓ FAQ
Q Why do adjacent lines merge without a blank line?
A Markdown treats adjacent lines as lazy continuation of the same paragraph.
Q Can paragraphs contain inline elements?
A Yes — bold, italic, links and inline code all nest inside paragraph text.
Q How to indent the first line of a paragraph?
A Leading spaces are ignored; use a full-width space or CSS text-indent.
📚 See also
Line BreaksCommonMark core Lazy ContinuationCommonMark core Hard & Soft BreaksCommonMark core