How to open an .md file on Mac

Fast answer

Open the file once with an app you choose

1. Control-click the .md file in Finder.
2. Choose Open With.
3. Choose TextEdit to inspect the raw Markdown, or choose a Markdown viewer to read it rendered.

If the file has no visible .md ending, open Finder Settings, choose Advanced and enable Show all filename extensions.

Method 1

Open the Markdown source in TextEdit

TextEdit is built into macOS and can open plain-text documents. Control-click the file, choose Open With, then TextEdit. You will see the Markdown characters themselves: headings start with #, emphasis uses asterisks and links use brackets.

• Best forChecking or making a small source edit
• CostFree; already on the Mac
• LimitationDoes not render Markdown formatting

Apple's TextEdit guide documents opening plain-text files through File > Open.

Method 2

Press Space for a Finder preview

Select the file in Finder and press Space. A standard Mac may show the raw text because macOS has no built-in Markdown renderer. To see rendered headings and code in that window, install and enable a Markdown Quick Look extension.

Use the separate Markdown Quick Look guide for the exact setup, free extension options and fixes when Finder keeps showing raw text.

Method 3

Open it as a rendered document

A Markdown viewer turns the punctuation into headings, lists, tables, links, code and images. PX7 Markdown Viewer is our free native option: it opens local files, adds Finder Quick Look and lets you switch to the source with Command-E.

Free · notarized by Apple · under 5 MB · macOS 14+ · Apple silicon or Intel

Default app

Make every .md file open with the same app

1. Select one .md file in Finder and press Command-I.
2. Expand Open with and choose the app.
3. Click Change All, then confirm.

This changes all files of that type, not only the selected file. The steps follow Apple's Choose an app to open a file instructions.

Quick answers

Opening Markdown files on Mac

What app opens .md files on a Mac?

TextEdit can open the raw plain-text source. A Markdown viewer is better when you want headings, links, tables and code rendered as a readable document.

Can TextEdit open Markdown files?

Yes. TextEdit opens the file as plain text, so it shows the Markdown punctuation instead of rendering the formatting.

How do I preview an .md file in Finder?

Select the file and press Space. Install and enable a Markdown Quick Look extension if Finder shows raw text instead of rendered Markdown.

How do I change the default Markdown app on Mac?

Select an .md file, press Command-I, choose an app under Open with, then click Change All.

PX7 Digital makes PX7 Markdown Viewer. The built-in TextEdit method is listed first because it may be all you need. Apple instructions were checked on 27 August 2026. Something out of date? Tell us.