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markdown→html

Element Converter

Markdown Blockquote to HTML

Paste a Markdown blockquote to generate a clean HTML <blockquote> instantly. The converter maps > prefixes to <blockquote> elements, nests repeated prefixes, and keeps lists, headings, and code inside the quote intact.

input.md

Markdown is a writing format; HTML is a publishing format.

Outer quote.

Nested reply.

First paragraph of the quote.

Second paragraph of the same quote.

31 words167 chars✓ HTML 0 B

Key facts

Input prefix
> at line start
Output element
<blockquote>
Nesting
repeat the prefix (>>)
Specification
CommonMark core (not a GFM extension)

How do blockquotes convert to HTML?

A Markdown blockquote converts to an HTML <blockquote> element. Every line prefixed with > joins the quote, and the text inside is wrapped in <p> paragraphs. The prefix needs no closing marker.

Blockquote is core CommonMark — every Markdown converter supports it. The > prefix is required only on the first line of each paragraph; lazy continuation lines join automatically. For a quick syntax recap see Markdown Cheat Sheet; the full element map lives in Markdown Syntax Guide.

markdown
> Markdown is a writing format.
html
<blockquote>
  <p>Markdown is a writing format.</p>
</blockquote>

How do nested blockquotes convert to HTML?

Nested blockquotes convert to a <blockquote> inside a <blockquote>. Each additional > in the prefix adds one nesting level, so >> emits a quote two levels deep. Email-style reply chains map this way.

markdown
> Outer quote.
>> Nested reply.
html
<blockquote>
  <p>Outer quote.</p>
  <blockquote>
    <p>Nested reply.</p>
  </blockquote>
</blockquote>

Can a blockquote contain other Markdown?

Yes. Lists, headings, code blocks, and emphasis all work inside a blockquote. Each converts to its normal HTML element, nested within the <blockquote> — a quoted list emits a <ul> inside the quote.

Prefix every quoted line with > and write the inner Markdown normally. Quoted code blocks need the fence inside the prefix: > ```.

markdown
> ## Quoted heading
> - quoted item
html
<blockquote>
  <h2>Quoted heading</h2>
  <ul>
    <li>quoted item</li>
  </ul>
</blockquote>

Do GitHub alerts ([!NOTE]) convert to HTML?

No. Alerts like > [!NOTE] are a GitHub renderer feature, not Markdown syntax. Standard converters emit a plain <blockquote> containing the literal [!NOTE] text — the coloured callout exists only on github.com.

5 alert types exist on GitHub: NOTE, TIP, IMPORTANT, WARNING, CAUTION. To reproduce callouts on your own site, style the emitted <blockquote> with CSS classes instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between <blockquote> and <q>?
<blockquote> is a block-level element for standalone quoted passages; <q> is inline for short quotes within a sentence. Markdown's > syntax produces <blockquote> only — write <q> as raw HTML when needed.
How do I add the quote's author?
Markdown has no citation syntax. Add a <cite> element or a <footer> inside the emitted <blockquote> manually, or write the attribution as a normal paragraph after the quote.
How do I write a multi-paragraph blockquote?
Prefix the blank line between paragraphs with > as well. A bare blank line ends the quote; a > line continues it, emitting two <p> elements inside one <blockquote>.
Do GitHub alert boxes work in this converter?
No. The [!NOTE] marker converts to a plain blockquote because alerts are GitHub's UI feature, not part of CommonMark or the published GFM spec. Style the blockquote with CSS for the same effect.