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MarkdownFormatting

Markdown Blockquote

The complete guide to > blockquote syntax — basic quotes, nested quotes, multi-paragraph, and combining with other formatting.

Jump to: Basic · Nested · Combined formatting · GitHub callouts · FAQ

Basic Blockquote Syntax

A blockquote starts with a > character followed by a space. Use it for citations, callouts, or highlighted information.

Basic blockquote — prefix a line with >

Markdown

> This is a blockquote.

Preview

This is a blockquote.

Multi-line — start each line with >

Markdown

> First line of the quote.
> Second line of the quote.

Preview

First line of the quote.
Second line of the quote.

Multi-paragraph — use a blank > line between paragraphs

Markdown

> First paragraph of the quote.
>
> Second paragraph — blank > line creates a new paragraph.

Preview

First paragraph of the quote.

Second paragraph — blank > line creates a new paragraph.

Nested Blockquotes

Add extra > characters to nest quotes inside quotes. This is useful for showing threaded replies or layered citations.

One level of nesting with >>

Markdown

> Outer quote.
>> Inner nested quote.

Preview

Outer quote.

Inner nested quote.

Multiple levels of nesting

Markdown

> Outer quote here.
>> Second level nested.
>>> Third level — use >>> for deep nesting.

Preview

Outer quote here.

Second level nested.

Third level — use >>> for deep nesting.

Common email-style reply pattern

Markdown

> Original message here.
>
>> Reply to the message above.

Preview

Original message here.

Reply to the message above.

Blockquotes with Other Formatting

Blockquotes support all inline formatting and most block elements. Mix in bold, italic, code, lists, and headings.

Bold and italic inside quotes

Markdown

> **Bold text** inside a blockquote.
> *Italic* also works fine.

Preview

Bold text inside a blockquote.
Italic also works fine.

Inline code inside a blockquote

Markdown

> Use `inline code` inside a quote.

Preview

Use inline code inside a quote.

List inside a blockquote

Markdown

> Here is a list inside a blockquote:
>
> - Item one
> - Item two
> - Item three

Preview

Here is a list inside a blockquote:

  • Item one
  • Item two
  • Item three
Heading inside a blockquote

Markdown

> ### Heading inside a quote
>
> You can use headings and other block elements.

Preview

Heading inside a quote

You can use headings and other block elements.

Code block inside a blockquote

Markdown

> ```javascript
> const msg = "Code block inside a quote";
> console.log(msg);
> ```

Preview

const msg = "Code block inside a quote";
console.log(msg);

GitHub Callout Alerts

GitHub Markdown renders special alert callouts when you put [!TYPE] on the first line of a blockquote. These are GitHub-specific and do not render as callouts in other tools.

GitHub callout — NOTE (blue)

Markdown

> [!NOTE]
> GitHub renders this as a styled callout (blue).

Preview

[!NOTE]
GitHub renders this as a styled callout (blue).

GitHub callout — TIP (green)

Markdown

> [!TIP]
> Helpful advice for doing things better.

Preview

[!TIP]
Helpful advice for doing things better.

GitHub callout — WARNING (yellow)

Markdown

> [!WARNING]
> Critical content demanding immediate attention.

Preview

[!WARNING]
Critical content demanding immediate attention.

GitHub callout — IMPORTANT (purple)

Markdown

> [!IMPORTANT]
> Key information users need to know.

Preview

[!IMPORTANT]
Key information users need to know.

Note: The preview above shows standard Markdown rendering. On GitHub, these render as coloured alert boxes with icons.

Quick Reference

SyntaxResult
> Quote textBasic blockquote
>> NestedNested quote (one level deeper)
>>> DeepThird-level nested quote
> > > Para 2Two paragraphs in one quote
> **bold** textBold inside a quote
> `code` hereInline code inside a quote
> [!NOTE]GitHub-flavored callout (NOTE)

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I create a blockquote in Markdown?

Add a > character at the start of a line, followed by a space and your text. For example: > This is a blockquote. Most Markdown editors and renderers will style this as an indented, visually distinguished block.

Can I have multiple paragraphs inside a blockquote?

Yes. To add a second paragraph inside the same blockquote, insert a blank line that still starts with >. For example: > First paragraph. > > Second paragraph.

How do I nest blockquotes?

Use additional > characters. One > is level 1, >> is level 2, >>> is level 3, and so on. This is commonly used to show quoted replies in email-style discussions.

Can I use bold, italic, or code inside a blockquote?

Yes — all standard inline formatting works inside blockquotes. You can use **bold**, *italic*, `inline code`, and even [links](url) inside a > quote.

Can I put a list or heading inside a blockquote?

Yes. Start each line of the blockquote with > and then add your list items or heading after. For example: > ### Heading > - Item 1 > - Item 2

What is the difference between a blockquote and a regular paragraph?

A blockquote is for cited content, quotes, or highlighted callouts. Visually, it is indented and often shown with a vertical border or colored background. A regular paragraph has no special visual treatment.

Does GitHub Markdown support special blockquote callouts?

Yes. GitHub renders [!NOTE], [!TIP], [!WARNING], [!IMPORTANT], and [!CAUTION] as styled alert boxes when placed inside a blockquote. These are GitHub-specific and do not render the same way in other tools.

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