MarkdownPaper Open reader

Guide

Markdown new line and line break

In Markdown, pressing Enter once does not start a new line on the page. The two lines join into one paragraph. To break a line, end it with a backslash \, or with two spaces, or write <br>. To start a new paragraph, leave an empty line.

You write

These two lines
join into one.

This line ends with a backslash\
so it breaks here.

You see

These two lines join into one.

This line ends with a backslash
so it breaks here.

4 min read8 sectionsUpdated 1 Oct 2026

On this page

Why one Enter does nothing

Markdown is meant to be read as plain text too, and people wrap long lines in their editor to keep them readable. If every Enter became a line break, the page would break wherever the editor wrapped. So Markdown treats lines that sit next to each other as one paragraph, and asks you to say when you really want a break.

Four ways to break a line

1. A backslash at the end of the line. Easy to see in the source, and it works in CommonMark and GitHub Flavored Markdown.

You write

Roses are red\
Violets are blue

You see

Roses are red
Violets are blue

2. Two spaces at the end of the line. The original way. It works almost everywhere, but the spaces are invisible, and some editors delete them when you save.

You write

Roses are red  
Violets are blue

You see

Roses are red
Violets are blue

3. The <br> tag. Plain HTML, and the only way that works inside a table cell.

You write

Roses are red<br>Violets are blue

You see

Roses are red
Violets are blue

4. An empty line, for a new paragraph. Not a line break but a paragraph break, with a little more space between. Use it most of the time.

You write

Roses are red.

Violets are blue.

You see

Roses are red.

Violets are blue.

Which one to use

You wantUse
A new paragraphAn empty line
A break inside a paragraphA backslash at the end
A break inside a table cell<br>
An address or a poemA backslash on each line

Line breaks in a table cell

A table row must stay on one line in the source, so a backslash or Enter cannot work there. Use <br>.

You write

| Name | Address                          |
| ---- | -------------------------------- |
| Ana  | 12 River Road<br>Lisbon<br>Portugal |

You see

NameAddress
Ana12 River Road
Lisbon
Portugal

Line breaks in a list

Inside a list item, break with a backslash. For a whole new paragraph inside the item, leave an empty line and indent the next line to line up with the item's text.

You write

- First line of the item\
  second line of the same item

- An item with two paragraphs.

  The second paragraph, indented two spaces.

You see

  • First line of the item
    second line of the same item

  • An item with two paragraphs.

    The second paragraph, indented two spaces.

Add more space between paragraphs

Several empty lines count as one. Markdown has no way to add extra space; the look of the page decides the spacing. If you must, an empty <br> on its own line adds one line of space in many renderers.

Questions

How do I add a new line in Markdown without a new paragraph?

End the line with a backslash \, or two spaces, then press Enter. The text continues on the next line inside the same paragraph.

Why are my line breaks ignored in Markdown?

Because a single Enter joins lines into one paragraph. Add a backslash or two spaces at the end of the line, or leave an empty line between paragraphs.

Does a new line work the same on GitHub?

In .md files, yes: the rules on this page apply. GitHub comments and issues are more forgiving and keep single line breaks as they are typed.

How do I add a line break in a code block?

Just press Enter. Code blocks keep every line exactly as typed. See Markdown code blocks.

Next