Markdown to RST Converter for Python Documentation

Convert Markdown to reStructuredText for Sphinx, ReadTheDocs, Python docs. Preserve formatting, code blocks, links. Perfect for migrating documentation.

Note: First conversion initializes Pandoc WebAssembly (~55MB). Subsequent conversions are instant.

Drop Markdown file here or click to browse

Accepts .md, .markdown, .txt files

Markdown Input

reStructuredText Output

Markdown to RST Conversion Guide

Markdown	reStructuredText	Notes
`# Heading`	`Heading =======`	H1 title with overline/underline
`## Subheading`	`Subheading ----------`	H2 subtitle with underline
`bold`	`bold`	Same syntax in both
`italic`	`italic`	Same syntax in both
`code`	``code``	RST uses double backticks
```python code ```	`.. code-block:: python code`	RST directive with indentation
`[link](url)`	`link <url>`_	RST inline link format
`![alt](img.png)`	`.. image:: img.png :alt: alt`	RST image directive
`- Item`	`* Item`	RST uses asterisks for bullets
`1. Item`	`1. Item`	Numbered lists similar

Python Documentation Workflow

After converting to RST, integrate with Sphinx:

Install Sphinx: pip install sphinx
Initialize project: sphinx-quickstart docs
Add RST files to docs/source/ directory
Update index.rst to include your converted files in the TOC tree
Build documentation: make html in docs directory
Deploy to ReadTheDocs: Connect your Git repository for automatic builds

Copied to clipboard

Creole to HTML Converter - WikiCreole Mi…

Markdown to HTML Converter - Transform M…

Org Mode to Markdown - Emacs Notes to Gi…

AsciiDoc to Markdown - Technical Docs to…

Textile to Markdown - Migrate Redmine Co…

View all Markup converters →

Frequently Asked Questions

reStructuredText (RST) is the standard format for Python documentation and Sphinx documentation systems. Converting Markdown to RST allows you to integrate existing Markdown content into Python projects, ReadTheDocs sites, and technical documentation that requires RST's semantic markup capabilities.

All standard Markdown features including headings, bold/italic text, code blocks with syntax highlighting, links, images, lists (ordered and unordered), blockquotes, and tables are converted to equivalent RST syntax while preserving formatting and structure.

Markdown fenced code blocks (```python) are converted to RST code-block directives (.. code-block:: python). Inline code (`code`) becomes RST literal markup (``code``). Language identifiers are preserved for syntax highlighting in Sphinx.

Sphinx is the most popular documentation generator for Python projects. It uses RST as its native format and provides powerful features like cross-referencing, automatic API documentation, and multiple output formats. RST's extensibility makes it ideal for technical documentation.

Yes. ReadTheDocs primarily uses Sphinx with RST format. This converter is perfect for migrating Markdown documentation to ReadTheDocs-compatible RST format. After conversion, you can build your docs with Sphinx and host them on ReadTheDocs.

Markdown links [text](url) become RST inline links `text`_. Images ![alt](src) are converted to RST image directives (.. image:: src). Relative paths and URLs are preserved, making it easy to maintain documentation structure.

Markdown tables are converted to RST simple tables or grid tables depending on complexity. Table structure, headers, and alignment are preserved. For complex tables, you may need to manually adjust formatting in the output.

Yes. All conversion happens locally in your browser using Pandoc WebAssembly. Your Markdown files never leave your device, are not uploaded to any server, and no data is collected. Completely private and secure.

Most GitHub-flavored Markdown (GFM) features are supported including fenced code blocks, tables, strikethrough, and task lists. However, GitHub-specific features like mentions (@username) and issue references (#123) are preserved as plain text.

Common uses include migrating documentation to Sphinx/ReadTheDocs, converting blog posts to Python project docs, preparing content for technical writing in RST format, integrating Markdown notes into Python documentation, and creating RST content from existing Markdown resources.

Markdown to RST Conversion Guide

Python Documentation Workflow

Related Tools