How to convert RST to MD
- Add your .RST file - drop it in the box above or click to browse.
- Convert it to .MD in a few seconds.
- Download your new .MD file.
What to expect
- Headings, bullet lists, links, and inline code convert cleanly; RST directives (
.. note::,.. code-block::) and roles (:ref:,:func:) are dropped or approximated - review every directive after conversion. - A
.. toctree::is not preserved; you must rebuild the table of contents manually after conversion. - To target a specific Markdown flavor, pass
-t gfm(GitHub Flavored Markdown) or-t commonmarkto Pandoc.
Frequently asked questions
Is RST to Markdown conversion lossless?
No. Basic content - headings, lists, links, inline code - carries over, but RST directives and roles have no Markdown equivalent and are lost. Manual cleanup is normal.
What is the main difference between RST and Markdown?
Both are plain-text markup languages, but RST has a richer directive and role system designed for structured documentation (Sphinx). Markdown is simpler and more widely used for READMEs and general notes.
How do I convert a whole folder of RST files?
Pandoc handles one file per command; on Linux or macOS, loop with
for f in *.rst; do pandoc "$f" -o "${f%.rst}.md"; done.How do I keep Sphinx docs working after converting to Markdown?
Use MyST Markdown instead of plain Markdown - MyST supports RST-style directives and roles so your Sphinx build continues to work.
