MarkdownPaper Open reader

Guide

Markdown lists

Start each line with - and a space for a bullet list, or with a number, a full stop and a space for a numbered list. Indent a line to put it under the item above it.

You write

- Coffee
- Tea
  - Green
  - Black

1. Boil the water
2. Add the tea
3. Wait three minutes

You see

  • Coffee
  • Tea
    • Green
    • Black
  1. Boil the water
  2. Add the tea
  3. Wait three minutes

4 min read11 sectionsUpdated 1 Oct 2026

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Bullet lists

-, * and + all make bullets. Pick one and use it for the whole list: changing the symbol halfway starts a new list.

You write

- Apples
- Pears

* Bread
* Butter

You see

  • Apples
  • Pears
  • Bread
  • Butter

Numbered lists

The numbers you type do not have to be right. Markdown counts for you, so many people write 1. on every line, which makes it easy to move items around.

You write

1. Open the app
1. Choose a file
1. Press Print

You see

  1. Open the app
  2. Choose a file
  3. Press Print

Start a list at another number

The first number sets where the list starts. The rest are counted from it.

You write

4. Fourth step
5. Fifth step
6. Sixth step

You see

  1. Fourth step
  2. Fifth step
  3. Sixth step

Nested lists

Indent the line so it lines up with the text of the item above, not with its bullet. For a - list that means two spaces. For a 1. list it means three. Four spaces always works.

You write

1. Fruit
   - Apples
   - Pears
2. Vegetables
   - Carrots
     - Orange
     - Purple

You see

  1. Fruit
    • Apples
    • Pears
  2. Vegetables
    • Carrots
      • Orange
      • Purple

Mix bullets and numbers

A numbered list can hold bullets, and a bullet list can hold numbers. Each level decides its own type.

You write

- Morning
  1. Emails
  2. Stand up meeting
- Afternoon
  1. Write the report

You see

  • Morning
    1. Emails
    2. Stand up meeting
  • Afternoon
    1. Write the report

A paragraph inside a list item

Leave an empty line, then indent the paragraph to line up with the item's text.

You write

1. Install the app.

   It takes about a minute, and you only do it once.

2. Open a file.

You see

  1. Install the app.

    It takes about a minute, and you only do it once.

  2. Open a file.

Code inside a list item

Indent the whole code block to line up with the item's text, fences included.

You write

1. Install the tools:

   ```sh
   npm install
   ```

2. Start the server:

   ```sh
   npm run dev
   ```

You see

  1. Install the tools:

    npm install

  2. Start the server:

    npm run dev

Lists with letters or Roman numerals

Markdown only has numbers and bullets. For a., b., c. you would need HTML, and most apps do not support it. Write a. as plain text at the start of each line if the letters matter.

Common problems

  • The list does not show. There is no space after the - or the number.
  • A nested item is not nested. It is not indented enough. Line it up with the text of the item above.
  • The numbering restarts. Something between the items was not indented, so it ended the list. Indent it to keep it inside the item.
  • A numbered list joins the paragraph above. A list that does not start at 1 needs an empty line before it.

Questions

How do I indent a list in Markdown?

Put spaces before the bullet so it lines up with the text of the item above. Two spaces for a - list, three for a 1. list. Four always works.

How do I make a numbered list with sub bullets?

Write the numbered items, then indent the bullets under them by three spaces so they line up with the numbered item's text.

Can I use tabs to indent lists?

Yes, but spaces are safer. A tab counts as four spaces, and mixing tabs with spaces is the most common reason a nested list breaks.

How do I make a checklist?

Add [ ] or [x] after the bullet. See Markdown checkboxes and task lists.

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