Is there Markdown for Jira?

Not natively. Jira's own format is wiki markup (h2. headings, *bold*, {code} blocks, ||header|| tables). To use Markdown with Jira, draft in Markdown and convert to wiki markup before pasting.

Can I write Markdown in Jira Cloud?

Partly. The Cloud editor converts a few shortcuts as you type, such as # for a heading or **bold**. It does not render a full pasted Markdown document, so pasted tickets need conversion first.

How do I use Markdown in a Jira comment?

Convert the Markdown to Jira wiki markup, then paste it into the comment field. Comments follow the same rules as descriptions: pasted Markdown stays plain text.

How is Jira wiki markup different from Markdown?

Headings: ## becomes h2. — Bold: **text** becomes *text* — Inline code: `x` becomes {{x}} — Code fence: ``` becomes {code} — Tables: the |---| separator row disappears and headers use ||double pipes||.

Jira wiki markup guide

Does Jira Support Markdown? What Works and What Does Not

Jira does not render pasted Markdown in description or comment fields. This guide shows which fields accept Markdown for Jira, which need wiki markup, and how to convert.

Direct answer

No. Jira does not render pasted Markdown in description or comment fields. Jira Cloud's editor converts a few Markdown shortcuts as you type, but a pasted Markdown document arrives as plain text. Convert Markdown to Jira wiki markup first, then paste.

Open Markdown to Jira converter

When to use this

You pasted a Markdown ticket and see literal ##, **, and ``` characters.
You want to know which Jira fields accept Markdown before you draft in it.
Your team drafts tickets in Markdown or with an AI assistant and files them in Jira.

Steps

Check your Jira type: Cloud's new editor converts some Markdown as you type; Data Center, Server, and the v2 REST API use wiki markup only.
Draft the ticket in Markdown as usual.
Convert the Markdown to Jira wiki markup with the converter.
Paste the converted text into the description or comment field.
Preview the field: headings, bold, code, and tables must render with no stray symbols.

Example conversion

Markdown input

## Rollout plan

**Phase 1** ships behind a flag.

- Enable for `beta` cohort
- Watch error rate for 48h

```
feature.rollout.phase=1
```

Jira wiki output

h2. Rollout plan

*Phase 1* ships behind a flag.

* Enable for {{beta}} cohort
* Watch error rate for 48h

{noformat}
feature.rollout.phase=1
{noformat}

Common mistakes

Do not assume typing behavior equals pasting behavior — Cloud converts some Markdown as you type but not on paste.
Do not send Markdown to the Jira v2 REST API; the description field renders wiki markup only.
Do not use # for headings in Jira — # starts a numbered list item, so '# Overview' renders as '1. Overview'.

FAQ

Is there Markdown for Jira?: Not natively. Jira's own format is wiki markup (h2. headings, *bold*, {code} blocks, ||header|| tables). To use Markdown with Jira, draft in Markdown and convert to wiki markup before pasting.
Can I write Markdown in Jira Cloud?: Partly. The Cloud editor converts a few shortcuts as you type, such as # for a heading or **bold**. It does not render a full pasted Markdown document, so pasted tickets need conversion first.
How do I use Markdown in a Jira comment?: Convert the Markdown to Jira wiki markup, then paste it into the comment field. Comments follow the same rules as descriptions: pasted Markdown stays plain text.
How is Jira wiki markup different from Markdown?: Headings: ## becomes h2. — Bold: **text** becomes *text* — Inline code: `x` becomes {{x}} — Code fence: ``` becomes {code} — Tables: the |---| separator row disappears and headers use ||double pipes||.

Related Jira guides

Markdown Acceptance Criteria to Jira

Convert Markdown acceptance criteria into Jira wiki markup that stays readable in issue descriptions.

AI Coding Notes to Jira Ticket

Turn rough AI coding session notes into a Jira implementation ticket with scope, telemetry, and tests.

QA Repro Steps Jira Template

Format QA repro steps, environment details, evidence, and acceptance criteria as a Jira bug ticket.

Jira Markdown vs Wiki Markup

Why Markdown breaks in Jira description fields, how Jira's own wiki markup differs, and a side-by-side of the syntax that trips people up.

Jira Markdown Table: Convert a Markdown Table to Jira

A Jira markdown table uses ||double pipes|| for headers and no separator row. Convert Markdown pipe tables into Jira wiki markup tables that render in descriptions and comments.

Markdown Code Blocks to Jira

Turn Markdown fenced code blocks into Jira {code} macros with language highlighting, and use {noformat} for logs and stack traces.

How to Paste Markdown Into Jira

Paste Markdown into Jira without broken formatting: convert to wiki markup first, then paste into the description or comment field. Covers tables, code blocks, and the API case.

Jira to Markdown: Convert Wiki Markup Back to Markdown

Convert Jira to Markdown: turn wiki markup from descriptions and comments — h2. headings, {code} blocks, ||header|| tables — into clean Markdown for docs, README files, and AI tools.

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