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Format Reddit posts and comments: rich text vs Markdown

User guide · Updated Nov 6, 2026 · about 2 minutes to read

Use the rich text toolbar or Markdown on desktop, and know what changed in the mobile app.

SubMouse Editorial guide — independent and not affiliated with Reddit. Steps cite public Reddit Help pages; menu labels can change.

Two editors

Reddit Help describes two ways to format text posts and comments: the rich text editor (toolbar buttons) and the Markdown editor (plain text with Markdown syntax).

Rich text editor

Help lists bold, italics, strikethrough, heading, spoiler and hyperlink in the rich text editor, with more options planned. On desktop the default text post or comment uses rich text.

Help’s posting article also notes a desktop shortcut: type a colon plus a word (for example :smile) to open an emoji picker; it matches English shortcodes only.

Markdown editor (desktop)

On reddit.com, choose Markdown Editor on the post screen to write Reddit-flavored Markdown. Help says Markdown is available only on reddit.com and old.reddit.com.

Example: in Markdown, **Edit:** typo fixed renders bold. In rich text, select the words and press the bold button instead of typing asterisks.

What changed in the app

Help (updated May 2026) says the mobile app is moving entirely to the rich text composer: the legacy Markdown editor for posts and comments is being retired, and typed Markdown syntax will no longer convert automatically. Markdown stays as-is on desktop.

Practical effect: if you type asterisks or a pound sign in the app, expect them to show as literal characters. Use the app’s formatting controls, or write long formatted posts on desktop.

Where Markdown still matters

  • Community wikis.
  • Submission text shown on old Reddit.
  • Sidebars and community rule descriptions.
  • Some profile text.

That list comes from Reddit’s Formatting Guide. Moderators editing wikis or rules will still write Markdown.

Before you post

  • Am I on desktop (Markdown or rich text) or the app (rich text only)?
  • Do the community rules ask for a specific format, such as a TLDR or a title tag?
  • Do spoilers need hiding inline, or does the whole post need a Spoiler tag?
  • Is the title final? Titles cannot be edited after posting.

Related on SubMouse

  • Fixing body text after posting: guide Edit or delete your Reddit posts and comments.
  • Whole-post spoiler tags: guide Mark spoilers on Reddit posts.
  • Choosing where to post: article How to choose which subreddit to post in.

More on SubMouse

Reddit Help sources