How to Make a List in Markdown
Bullets, numbers, nesting, and checkboxes
A list in Markdown is a marker plus a space at the start of each line: a dash for bullets, a number and a period for an ordered list. Indent to nest, and add brackets for a checklist.
AI answers lean on lists constantly, so you'll read and edit plenty of them. This article covers bulleted, numbered, nested, and task lists, and the small mistakes that stop a list from rendering.
New to the syntax overall? Start with How to Write Markdown.
The four kinds of list
| Type | Syntax | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Unordered (bullets) | A dash and a space: - item | Asterisk (*) or plus (+) also work; stay consistent |
| Ordered (numbers) | A number, period, space: 1. item | Numbers auto-renumber; 1. 1. 1. still shows 1, 2, 3 |
| Nested | Indent the child under the parent | Keep the indent width consistent |
| Task list (checkboxes) | - [ ] to-do and - [x] done | A GFM extension; renders as checkboxes |
All together:
Unordered (a dash and a space):
- First item
- Second item
- A nested item (indented)
Ordered (a number, period, and space):
1. First
2. Second
Task list (GFM checkboxes):
- [ ] Something to do
- [x] Something doneBullets vs numbers vs nesting
- Bullets: a dash and a space. Use
*or+if you prefer, just don't switch markers mid-list. - Numbers: a number, a period, a space. The digits don't have to be sequential; the renderer renumbers, so
1.on every line is fine. - Nesting: indent the child items under their parent, and keep the indent width the same throughout; inconsistent indentation is the usual reason a nested list looks off.
Task lists (checkboxes)
Add brackets after the bullet marker: - [ ] for an unchecked item, - [x] for a checked one. This is a GitHub-Flavored Markdown extension and renders as checkboxes wherever GFM is supported, handy for to-do notes. For the static-vs-clickable difference and checkboxes you can actually tick and save back to the file, see Markdown checkboxes.
Why your Markdown list isn't rendering
| Symptom | What happened | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| List showed as plain text | No space after the marker (-item) | Add the space: - item |
| Nesting looks wrong | Inconsistent indentation on child items | Use the same indent width throughout the list |
| List ran into a paragraph | No blank line before the list | Leave a blank line between the paragraph and the list |
| Numbers not renumbering | Renderer differences | The 1. format matters, not the digits, but check your renderer if it won't renumber |
The number-one cause: a missing space after the marker. It's - item, never -item, and the same goes for 1. item.
Reading and writing lists with NoteLoom
NoteLoom is an editor that reads and writes local .md files right in the browser. Its reading and live views render bulleted, numbered, nested, and task lists, so you see the structure instead of counting dashes, and you write or fix them in the source view, saved straight back to your local file.
NoteLoom won't write the list items or turn a paragraph into a list for you. It opens, displays, and saves your Markdown; the content is yours.
How you use it: open app.noteloom.cc in Chrome / Edge / Arc, mount a local folder, then open a .md and write your lists in source while watching them in live. Everything saves back to your disk, no cloud, no account.
FAQ
How do I make a bulleted list in Markdown?
How do I make a numbered list?
How do I nest a list?
How do I make a checklist / task list?
Why isn't my Markdown list rendering?
Can NoteLoom help with lists?
Can I do this with NoteLoom on my phone or in Safari?
See your lists, don't count dashes
Open NoteLoom in Chrome / Edge / Arc, mount a local folder, and write your lists in the source view: the reading and live views show the structure, checkboxes and all. Saved straight back to your disk, no software to install and no account to sign up for.
Open NoteLoom and try it