CVMarkdown

Frequently asked questions

If your question isn't here, email [email protected].

Last updated: 2026-05-15

How it works

What does CVMarkdown do exactly?
It converts a Markdown-written resume into an A4 PDF with a professional design, so you don't have to open a heavy text editor or fight with templates.
Do I need to sign up?
No. There are no accounts or passwords. Open the site, upload (or paste) your .md and download the PDF.
Is it free?
Yes, CVMarkdown is free for personal use with no download limits.
Do I need to know Markdown?
Barely. The editor includes a toolbar for bold, italic, lists, links and dividers. If you've never written Markdown, you'll be fluent in five minutes by reading our guide.
Can I verify you don't send my CV to a server?
Yes. Open the browser's DevTools Network tab (F12) while you edit and download the PDF: you'll see no outgoing request with the CV content. The initial load fetches the site's static files, and "Download PDF" opens the browser's local print dialog — no network call.

Markdown and formatting

Which Markdown dialect do you support?
Basic CommonMark constructs: headings (`#`, `##`, `###`), bold (`**`), italic (`*`), lists with `-` and `1.`, links `[text](url)`, inline code with `` ` `` and dividers `---`.
How do I structure the CV so it renders correctly?
Use `# Your Name` at the top, `**YOUR ROLE**` below it, then a contact line. Each section (Experience, Education...) goes with `## `. Each role or degree goes with `### `.
Can I add images or icons?
No. CVMarkdown is designed for single-column, text-only resumes, which is what ATS systems handle best.
How are dates detected for each role?
They are detected automatically in the italic subtitle line (`*Role · Madrid · Mar 2023 – Present*`). We support Spanish and English formats.
Can I import my existing PDF resume?
Not directly. CVMarkdown works with Markdown as the source, not PDF. If your current resume is a PDF, the fastest path is to copy the text by hand following the structure in the guide. A PDF→Markdown assisted converter is on the roadmap.

Privacy and security

Where is my CV stored?
In your browser, while the tab is open. If you close the tab without downloading anything, the data is lost.
Do you send my CV to any server?
No. Never. The PDF render happens entirely in your own browser through the print dialog: when you click "Download PDF" we open your browser's native dialog and you pick "Save as PDF". The CV content does not leave your device at any point.
Do you use AI to improve my CV?
No. CVMarkdown only converts formats. We don't analyze the content or send it to any AI provider.
Which cookies do you use?
Only one, technical, to remember your preferred language (`NEXT_LOCALE`). No analytics or tracking.

PDF and downloads

What size is the generated PDF?
Standard A4 (210 × 297 mm), with no extra margins beyond those of the design itself.
Can I change the typography or colors?
For now we only offer the "Minimalist" template. More templates with typography and color variants are on the way.
Why does a print dialog open when I download?
Because the PDF is generated locally in your browser. Click "Download PDF" and we open your browser's native print dialog with an A4 preview; you pick "Save as PDF" and choose where to save. One extra click in exchange for your CV content never leaving your device.
Can I also download the Markdown?
Yes. In the editor's top bar, the ".md" button gives you the updated Markdown file with all your edits.

Troubleshooting

The editor isn't showing my file correctly
Check that the structure uses `#`, `##` and `###` as in the sample CV. If a section or subsection appears empty, it's usually because of a missing blank line between a heading and its content.
I closed the tab and lost my CV
Without a database we can't recover it. Recommendation: download the `.md` while you work to keep a local copy. In the future we may evaluate an optional autosave to localStorage.
The print dialog doesn't open when I click Download PDF
Pop-up or print blockers in your browser can stop it. Try with extensions disabled. If it persists, write to [email protected] with your browser and version.

Comparisons with other tools

What's the difference between CVMarkdown and Resume.io or Canva?
CVMarkdown uses plain Markdown as the source, with no signup and no server storage. Resume.io and Canva offer many more visual templates and WYSIWYG editors, but require accounts, usually have paid tiers, and their PDFs can break ATS parsers because of multi-column layouts. CVMarkdown is the option if you prioritize version control, privacy and out-of-the-box ATS compatibility.
Is CVMarkdown better than LaTeX for a technical resume?
It depends on the trade-off between visual control and iteration speed. LaTeX gives total control over typography and layout but requires local compilation and has a steep learning curve. CVMarkdown renders instantly in the browser, requires no install and produces a single-column PDF that's ATS-safe by default. For a complex academic CV with bibliography, LaTeX still wins; for a standard professional resume, Markdown is faster.
Why Markdown instead of Word?
Three reasons: (1) Markdown is plain text and can live in a Git repository, which means history, branches per application and diff comparison. (2) A single Markdown source converts to PDF, HTML or plain text without fighting proprietary formats. (3) Markdown resumes are single-column and flat by default — the structure ATS systems parse best.

Use cases

Does CVMarkdown work for non-technical profiles (marketing, sales, education...)?
Yes — particularly well. CVMarkdown started for technical profiles who already wrote in Markdown, but the format (plain text + single column + ATS-friendly) works the same or better for non-technical profiles. There are dedicated templates for marketing manager, sales (account executive), project manager, teaching and recent graduates, in addition to the technical catalog. The block editor lets you write content without knowing Markdown syntax.
Can I use this resume for job applications in other countries?
Yes. A4 single-column plain text is compatible with standard ATS systems across Europe, the UK, the US, Canada and Latin America. In countries like Germany, Switzerland or Japan it's common to include a photo on the resume (Lebenslauf / 履歴書); for those markets CVMarkdown falls short and you'll need a specific template.
Does it work for freelancers and contractors?
Yes, especially because you can maintain several variants in a single Git repository (one aimed at end clients, one at agencies, one at government RFPs) and regenerate the matching PDF in seconds before every proposal.
Which format do recruiters prefer: Word or PDF?
Most recruiters prefer PDF because it preserves the visual format on any device, while a .docx may reflow depending on the recipient's Word version. ATS systems accept both, but a single-column PDF with selectable text is the safest path to reach the ATS intact and then the human recruiter.