Writing

Markdown Table Alignment: Left, Right, and Center Columns

Markdown table alignment controls whether a column renders left, right, or centered. It is especially useful for numbers, prices, scores, and comparison columns.

Use the free Markdown Table Generator

Use colons in the separator row

A colon on the left aligns left, a colon on the right aligns right, and colons on both sides center the column. The exact number of dashes is less important than the colon placement.

Right-align numbers

Numeric columns such as price, quantity, percentage, or score are often easier to compare when aligned to the right.

Keep alignment simple

Alignment support can vary across Markdown renderers. For GitHub README files, the standard colon syntax is the safest option.

FAQ

How do I align a Markdown table column to the right?

Use a separator cell like ---: under that column.

How do I center a Markdown table column?

Use :---: in the separator row for that column.

Does every Markdown app support table alignment?

Many do, including GitHub, but exact rendering can vary by platform.