Markdown Checkbox Tool

Create task lists and checkboxes in Markdown for GitHub, GitLab, and other platforms. Generate checked and unchecked boxes with customizable text.

Try the Markdown Checkbox Generator

Checkbox Settings

Checkbox Text

First Item State

Number of Items

Indent Level

Output

Understanding Markdown Checkbox Syntax

Markdown checkboxes (also known as task lists) are a popular way to create interactive to-do lists in Markdown documents. They're widely supported in platforms like GitHub, GitLab, and many Markdown editors. Understanding the syntax will help you create effective task lists in your documentation and project management.

Basic Checkbox Syntax

The basic syntax for a Markdown checkbox consists of a list item (hyphen or asterisk) followed by square brackets with either a space (unchecked) or an 'x' (checked).

markdown

- [ ] Unchecked item
- [x] Checked item

When rendered in supported Markdown environments, these will display as interactive checkboxes that users can click to toggle the state.

Nested Checkboxes

You can create nested checkboxes by indenting the list items. This is useful for creating hierarchical task lists or sub-tasks.

markdown

- [ ] Main task
  - [ ] Subtask 1
  - [x] Subtask 2
- [x] Completed task

The indentation is typically two spaces for each level of nesting. This creates a visual hierarchy in the rendered output.

Checkbox Compatibility

While checkbox syntax is part of GitHub Flavored Markdown (GFM), it's not part of the original Markdown specification. Support varies across different platforms:

Fully supported (interactive): GitHub, GitLab, Notion, VS Code with preview

Displayed but not interactive: Many Markdown editors, static site generators

Not supported: Basic Markdown parsers, some older platforms

If your target platform doesn't support checkboxes, they'll typically display as regular list items with the bracket notation visible.

Advanced Usage: Combining with Other Markdown

You can combine checkboxes with other Markdown formatting for more expressive task lists:

markdown

- [ ] **Important task** with bold text
- [x] Task with [a link](https://example.com)
- [ ] Task with `inline code`

Need more details on Markdown syntax? Our comprehensive cheat sheet covers all elements in detail:

Explore Complete Markdown Syntax

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I create a checkbox in Markdown?

To create a checkbox in Markdown, use a hyphen followed by square brackets with either a space (unchecked) or an 'x' (checked):

- [ ] Unchecked item- [x] Checked item

This syntax is supported in GitHub, GitLab, and many other Markdown environments.

Which platforms support Markdown checkboxes?

Markdown checkboxes are supported in:

GitHub (issues, pull requests, wikis, README files)
GitLab (issues, merge requests, wikis)
Notion
VS Code (with Markdown preview)
Many Markdown editors like Typora, MarkText, and Obsidian

Some platforms display checkboxes but don't make them interactive, while others may not support them at all.

How do I create nested or indented checkboxes?

To create nested checkboxes, indent the child items with two spaces:

markdown

- [ ] Parent task
  - [ ] Child task 1
  - [ ] Child task 2
    - [ ] Grandchild task

This creates a visual hierarchy in the rendered output, making it clear which tasks are subtasks of others.

What if my Markdown platform doesn't support checkboxes?

If your platform doesn't support checkboxes, you have several alternatives:

Use regular list items with symbols:- ☐ Unchecked and- ☑ Checked
Use HTML:<input type="checkbox"> Task (if HTML is supported)
Use simple text indicators:- [TODO] Task and- [DONE] Task

Choose the approach that works best with your specific platform.

Can I automatically update checkboxes in Markdown?

On platforms like GitHub and GitLab, checkboxes in issues and pull requests can be clicked to toggle their state, which automatically updates the Markdown. For local Markdown files, you would typically need to edit the Markdown source manually or use a specialized Markdown editor with checkbox support. Some tools and scripts exist that can parse and update Markdown checkboxes programmatically, but this depends on your specific workflow and toolchain.

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