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Markdown Viewer Chrome extension

Markdown Viewer renders local .md files directly in Chrome, with dark mode, selectable themes, autoreload, Mermaid diagram support, MathJax math rendering, and an auto-generated table of contents. It's best for developers and writers who keep notes or docs as local Markdown files. The catch: it needs permission to access local file URLs, which it requires to open files from your computer.

  • PriceFree
  • CategoryDeveloper Tools
  • Works inChrome, Edge, Brave (desktop)
  • ✓No account needed

Last checked against the Chrome Web Store listing · Independent, not affiliated with Google

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Pros

  • renders local Markdown files directly in Chrome
  • includes dark mode and multiple selectable themes
  • supports Mermaid diagrams and MathJax for math notation
  • autoreload updates the preview when the file changes
  • syntax highlighting for code blocks and an automatic table of contents

Cons

  • requires access to local file URLs to open files from disk
  • aimed mainly at viewing, not editing, Markdown

Best for

  • developers previewing README or docs files locally
  • writers who keep notes in Markdown and want a clean preview
  • anyone who wants Mermaid diagrams or MathJax math rendered in the browser
  • users who want a table of contents generated automatically from headings

Skip it if

  • people who only need to view Markdown hosted online, without local files
  • users uncomfortable granting an extension access to local file URLs

Key features

  • dark mode and multiple visual themes
  • autoreload when the underlying file changes
  • Mermaid diagram rendering
  • MathJax support for mathematical notation
  • automatic table of contents from document headings
  • syntax highlighting for embedded code blocks

What Markdown Viewer does

Markdown Viewer renders .md files as formatted pages when you open them in Chrome, instead of showing raw text. It adds dark mode, several themes, syntax-highlighted code blocks, and an automatically generated table of contents, plus support for Mermaid diagrams and MathJax math notation for technical or academic documents.

Is Markdown Viewer safe?

To open Markdown files stored on your computer, the extension needs 'Allow access to file URLs' enabled in Chrome's extension settings, since Chrome blocks local file access by default. This permission lets it read the files you open; it does not need broad access to every website you visit.

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Markdown Viewer: FAQs

Does Markdown Viewer have a paid plan?

The store listing shows no in-app purchases as of 2026-09-30, and our catalogue lists it as free.

How do I open a Markdown file in Chrome once it's set up?

Use File > Open File and pick the .md file; it renders with your chosen theme, and edits to the file refresh through autoreload.

Why does my .md file show as plain text?

Chrome leaves file access off for new extensions. Go to chrome://extensions, find Markdown Viewer and turn on Allow access to file URLs.

Can it draw flowcharts from Mermaid code blocks?

Yes. Mermaid diagram syntax in your Markdown is rendered as a diagram in the preview, per the listing.

Does Markdown Viewer support math notation?

Yes, it includes MathJax support for rendering mathematical notation written in Markdown.

Does Markdown Viewer have dark mode?

Yes, dark mode is included along with several other selectable themes.

Does Markdown Viewer auto-update when I edit a file?

Yes, its autoreload feature refreshes the preview automatically when the underlying file changes.

Should I use this or an editor's built-in preview?

This suits reading finished .md files in the browser with themes, Mermaid and MathJax. It is aimed at viewing, not editing, so an editor with live preview fits better if you are writing heavily.

Does Markdown Viewer generate a table of contents?

Yes, it automatically builds a table of contents from the headings in your Markdown document.

Does Markdown Viewer highlight code blocks?

Fenced code blocks in a Markdown file get syntax highlighting when previewed through the extension, on top of its Mermaid diagram and MathJax math rendering. It's rendered as part of the same preview, not a separate step.