Quick Reference
HTML Method
<u>underlined text</u>Result
⚠️ Important Note
Markdown doesn't have native syntax for underlined text. While you can use HTML tags, underlines are generally discouraged in web content because they can be confused with hyperlinks.
Consider using bold or italic text for emphasis instead of underlines.
Using HTML Tags
Since Markdown allows HTML tags, you can create underlined text using the <u> tag.
Basic Underline
Markdown + HTML:
This is <u>underlined text</u> in a sentence. Here we have <u>another underlined phrase</u>. The word <u>important</u> is underlined.Output:
This is underlined text in a sentence.
Here we have another underlined phrase.
The word important is underlined.
Combining with Other Formatting
Markdown + HTML:
This is **bold and <u>underlined</u>** text. This is *italic and <u>underlined</u>* text. This is <u>underlined with **bold** inside</u>.Output:
This is bold and underlined text.
This is italic and underlined text.
This is underlined with bold inside.
Better Alternatives
Instead of underlines, consider these more web-friendly alternatives:
Use Bold for Strong Emphasis
Instead of underline:
<u>Important notice</u>Use bold:
**Important notice**Use Italics for Emphasis
Instead of underline:
<u>key term</u>Use italic:
*key term*Use Background Highlighting
Instead of underline:
<u>highlighted text</u>Use mark tag:
<mark>highlighted text</mark>When Underlines Might Be Appropriate
Limited Use Cases
- • Print documents: When content will be printed, not viewed on screen
- • Academic writing: Some style guides require underlines for specific purposes
- • Form labels: Underlining blank spaces in forms
- • Corrections: Showing text that should be underlined in corrections
CSS Styling Alternative
For more control over underline appearance, you can use CSS:
Custom Underline Styling
HTML + CSS:
<span style="text-decoration: underline; text-decoration-color: blue;"> Custom underline </span> <span style="border-bottom: 2px solid red; padding-bottom: 1px;"> Border underline </span>Output:
Custom underline
Border underline
Best Practices
✅ Best Practices
- Avoid underlines for emphasis: Use bold or italic instead
- Reserve for specific purposes: Only use when semantically meaningful
- Consider accessibility: Underlines can confuse screen readers
- Test on different devices: Ensure underlines don't interfere with touch targets
- Use sparingly: Too many underlines create visual clutter
❌ Avoid These Practices
- Underlines for emphasis: Can be confused with links
- Multiple underline styles: Inconsistent appearance
- Underlining links: Creates double underlines
- Overusing underlines: Makes content hard to read
- Ignoring alternatives: Better options usually exist
Try Underlines Yourself!
Practice underline syntax with our free online converter.