Markdown Horizontal Rules
Last updated: 2026-10-14
Horizontal Rules CommonMark core
Three or more asterisks, dashes or underscores alone on a line render a horizontal rule <hr>. Great for visual section splits — but mind the clash between --- and Setext headings.
| Group | Basic: Block |
|---|---|
| Spec level | CommonMark core |
| Spec version | CommonMark 0.31.2 + GFM |
📝 Syntax
---
or ***
or ___▶ Live Example
Edit Markdown on the left, see the result on the right
💡 Key points
⚠️ Warning --- directly under text turns it into a level-2 Setext heading — keep blank lines around breaks.
ℹ️ Note Breaks are purely visual; prefer headings for real structure.
❓ FAQ
Q Any difference between --- and ***?
A Both render <hr>; only --- risks the Setext clash.
Q Are 4 or 5 markers OK?
A Yes — 3 or more of any count is valid.
Q Can markers contain spaces?
A Yes, - - - is a valid rule too.
📚 See also
Setext HeadingsCommonMark core HeadingsCommonMark core