Markdown Viewer Chrome Extension: Setup and Alternatives

When you open a .md file in Chrome, the browser shows plain text or downloads the file. A Markdown viewer extension fixes that by rendering the file as a formatted page. This guide explains how to set one up, a setting that most people miss, and what to check first.

Which extension

The best-known option is the open-source extension called Markdown Viewer, available for Chrome and other Chromium-based browsers, and also for Firefox. It is a separate project; this website is not affiliated with it. Search for it in the Chrome Web Store and read the description and reviews before installing.

Setup for local files

1. Install the extension from the Chrome Web Store.
2. Type chrome://extensions in the address bar and open the extension's Details.
3. Switch on Allow access to file URLs. Without this, Chrome does not let extensions read files on your computer, which is the most common reason the extension seems not to work.
4. Open a .md file in Chrome, for example by dragging it into a tab, and reload the tab.

Markdown on web pages

Raw Markdown files served from a website, such as a file on a code-hosting site, can also be rendered. Open the extension's options to see how it handles remote files and which sites it is allowed to run on.

Check these before installing any extension

• Permissions: an extension that reads pages can read what is on them. Prefer extensions that ask for the least access you need.
• Publisher and source code: open-source projects with active maintenance are easier to trust.
• Updates: an extension that has not been updated for years may be abandoned.

No extension needed

If you would rather not install anything, open the online Markdown viewer and use Open .md file or drag the file in. It renders in the browser tab and does not upload your file.

If it does not work

• The file shows as plain text: check that Allow access to file URLs is on, then reload.
• The page asks you to save the file: the file is being served with a download header; open it from your disk instead.
• The formatting is partial: the extension may not support every Markdown feature. Paste the content into the viewer to compare.

Looking for a desktop app instead? See Markdown viewer download.