# Markdown Viewer

> Markdown Viewer with 30+ Themes, Dark Mode, MathJax, Mermaid diagrams, Syntax Highlighted code blocks

Canonical page: [https://chrome-stats.com/d/markdown-viewer-chrome](https://chrome-stats.com/d/markdown-viewer-chrome)

## Overview

- **ID:** `markdown-viewer-chrome`
- **Platform:** Firefox
- **Type:** Firefox add-on
- **Status:** Available
- **Publisher:** simov
- **Category:** other
- **Daily users:** 16,075
- **Weekly downloads:** 721
- **Rating:** 3.85 / 5 (72 ratings)
- **Version:** 5.2.2
- **Last updated:** 2023-10-30
- **First published:** 2017-10-21
- **Size:** 1.75 MB
- **Data as of:** 2026-09-06
- **Store listing:** [Firefox Add-ons Store](https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/markdown-viewer-chrome/)
- **Website:** [https://github.com/simov/markdown-viewer](https://github.com/simov/markdown-viewer)

## Description

Markdown Viewer is a versatile Chrome extension designed for seamless rendering of Markdown files both locally and remotely. It offers over 30 themes including dark mode options, enabling users to customize their viewing experience fully. The extension supports GitHub Flavored Markdown (GFM) and includes advanced features such as MathJax formula rendering, Mermaid diagrams for flowcharts, and syntax-highlighted code blocks to improve readability.

Secure by design, Markdown Viewer allows granular access to remote origins and multiple markdown parsers. Additional features include auto-reload on file changes, table of contents generation, emoji conversion, and remembering scroll position. It supports configurable Markdown file path detection, raw and rendered views, and settings synchronization across devices. As a free and open source tool, it provides robust documentation to help users get the most out of their Markdown viewing experience.

## Rankings

- #591 — Overall
- #81 — Other extensions
- #1 — viewer
- #59 — countdown
- #187 — release
- #199 — document

## Permissions and access

### Permissions

- `storage`
- `scripting`

### Host permissions

- `file:///*`

## Safety

- **Risk impact:** Very low risk impact
- **Risk likelihood:** Low risk likelihood

### Analysis details

- This extension has medium user count. Unpopular extensions may not be stable or safe.

> Some risk analysis details are omitted from this free response. [Upgrade to view the full analysis](https://chrome-stats.com/pricing).

## Review summary

Reviews show mixed results: Markdown Viewer can render Markdown (including Mermaid) inside Firefox when users follow setup steps and grant the necessary permissions. Many praise the extension and responsive support. But reliability hinges on configuration; several reviews report it doesn't work out-of-the-box and requires broad site permissions, local-file access tweaks, or about:config changes. Some environments (notably Linux/Ubuntu) encounter failures, and the extension sometimes fails to register the .md extension. When configured properly, it is valuable; otherwise it can be frustrating.

### Pros

- Renders Markdown in-browser after proper configuration (permissions and settings may be required)
- Mermaid diagrams render when using the Markdown Viewer
- Positive user sentiment and gratitude when it works
- Helpful setup guidance and support for tricky Linux/Ubuntu configurations

### Cons

- Does not work out-of-the-box; requires enabling broad site permissions and configuration steps
- Local file access is blocked or unreliable due to Firefox security policies
- Platform-specific issues and packaging quirks (e.g., Ubuntu snap, Ubuntu 22) can cause failures
- Does not register the .md file extension properly, causing 'open with' dialogs instead of in-browser rendering

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Source: [Chrome-Stats](https://chrome-stats.com/d/markdown-viewer-chrome)