Learn how to underline text in markdown. There's no native syntax, but there are workarounds using HTML. Platform support and alternatives.
Standard markdown has no native underline syntax. To underline text, you need to use raw HTML tags (<u>) or platform-specific syntax. This is by design — underlines are reserved for hyperlinks in web conventions.
The only reliable way to underline in markdown. Uses raw HTML.
Discord uses double underscores for underline (not bold like standard markdown).
| Platform | Supported | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| GitHub | Partial | Only via <u> HTML tag in issues/comments, not README |
| GitLab | Partial | Via <u> HTML tag |
| Discord | Yes | Uses __ (double underscores) |
| Slack | No | No underline support |
| No | No underline support | |
| Stack Overflow | Partial | Via <u> HTML tag |
| Notion | Yes | Keyboard shortcut Ctrl+U |
| Obsidian | Yes | Via <u> HTML tag or plugin |
__underline__
<u>underline</u>
In standard markdown, __ means bold, not underline. Only Discord treats __ as underline.
<ins>underline</ins>
<u>underline</u>
While <ins> is semantically correct HTML for inserted text, <u> is more widely supported in markdown renderers.
On the web, underlines signal clickable links. Underlining non-link text confuses readers. Use bold or italic instead.
Discord uses __ for underline, while standard markdown uses __ for bold. Know your platform.
In most cases, **bold** achieves the same emphasis as underline and is universally supported.
Everything you need to know.
There's no native markdown syntax for underline. Use the HTML <u> tag: <u>your text</u>. Discord is an exception — it uses __double underscores__.
Bold text in markdown is created by wrapping words with double asterisks (**) or double underscores (__). Bold draws attention to important words and phrases, making your content easier to scan.
Italic text in markdown is created by wrapping words with a single asterisk (*) or single underscore (_). Italics are used for emphasis, titles of works, technical terms, and foreign words.
Strikethrough in markdown is created by wrapping text with double tildes (~~). It renders as crossed-out text and is commonly used to show deleted content, corrections, or completed tasks.
Paste your markdown and see underline rendered instantly with professional themes.