Convert MD to BBCode

Why Convert MD to BBCode?

Converting Markdown documents to BBCode format is essential when posting content to forums, bulletin boards, and gaming communities. When you convert MD to BBCode, you're transforming Markdown's simple documentation syntax into BBCode's forum-friendly markup that provides safe, controlled formatting for user-generated content.

BBCode (Bulletin Board Code) was created in the late 1990s for phpBB and vBulletin forums as a safe alternative to HTML. Unlike HTML which can be exploited for cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks, BBCode uses square bracket tags [b], [i], [url] that are parsed server-side into safe HTML. This makes BBCode the universal standard for forums, gaming communities, and platforms where users create content. Popular forum software like phpBB, vBulletin, SMF (Simple Machines Forum), and MyBB all use BBCode variants.

Our converter translates Markdown syntax into BBCode tags: # becomes [size=200][b]text[/b][/size], ** becomes [b]bold[/b], * becomes [i]italic[/i], [links](url) become [url=url]links[/url], and images convert from  to [img]file[/img]. The conversion maintains document structure while adapting to BBCode's bracket-based syntax and adding forum-specific features like text colors, font sizes, and alignment options.

Common conversion scenarios include: posting GitHub README content to gaming forums, converting documentation to forum tutorials, transforming blog posts for bulletin board publishing, and preparing guides for community platforms. BBCode excels in user-generated content environments because it's safer than HTML, easier to moderate, and provides consistent formatting across different forum themes and styles.

Key Benefits of Converting MD to BBCode:

• Forum Publishing: Post Markdown content to phpBB, vBulletin, SMF, MyBB forums
• Gaming Communities: Share guides and documentation on game forums
• Rich Formatting: Add colors [color=red], sizes [size=150], fonts not available in Markdown
• User Safety: BBCode prevents HTML injection and XSS attacks
• Quote Attribution: Use [quote=author] for attributed quotes
• Image Control: Forums can control image embedding via BBCode settings
• Easy Moderation: Forum admins can disable specific BBCode tags

Practical Examples

Example 1: Basic Forum Post

Input Markdown file (guide.md):

# Beginner's Guide

Welcome to our community! Here's what you need to know:

## Getting Started

1. Read the **rules**
2. Introduce yourself
3. Have fun!

Check out our [wiki](https://example.com/wiki) for more information.

Output BBCode file (guide.bbcode):

[size=200][b]Beginner's Guide[/b][/size]

Welcome to our community! Here's what you need to know:

[size=150][b]Getting Started[/b][/size]

[list=1]
[*]Read the [b]rules[/b]
[*]Introduce yourself
[*]Have fun!
[/list]

Check out our [url=https://example.com/wiki]wiki[/url] for more information.

Example 2: Gaming Guide with Images

Input Markdown file (walkthrough.md):

# Boss Battle Strategy

**Difficulty:** Hard

## Phase 1

Attack from the *left side* only.

![Boss Phase 1](https://example.com/boss1.png)

> Remember to dodge the laser attack!

Output BBCode file (walkthrough.bbcode):

[size=200][b]Boss Battle Strategy[/b][/size]

[b]Difficulty:[/b] Hard

[size=150][b]Phase 1[/b][/size]

Attack from the [i]left side[/i] only.

[img]https://example.com/boss1.png[/img]

[quote]Remember to dodge the laser attack![/quote]

Example 3: Code Tutorial

Input Markdown file (tutorial.md):

# Python Tutorial

Here's a simple function:

```python
def hello():
    print("Hello World")
```

Use `print()` to display text.

Output BBCode file (tutorial.bbcode):

[size=200][b]Python Tutorial[/b][/size]

Here's a simple function:

[code]def hello():
    print("Hello World")[/code]

Use [code]print()[/code] to display text.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is BBCode?

A: BBCode (Bulletin Board Code) is a lightweight markup language created in the late 1990s for forums. It uses square bracket tags like [b]bold[/b], [i]italic[/i], [url=link]text[/url] to format text. BBCode provides safe formatting without allowing dangerous HTML, making it perfect for user-generated content on forums and bulletin boards.

Q: Why do forums use BBCode instead of HTML or Markdown?

A: BBCode prevents security risks. Allowing raw HTML enables XSS attacks and malicious scripts. Markdown wasn't designed for user input safety. BBCode gives users formatting power while keeping forums secure. Administrators can enable/disable specific tags (like [img] or [url]) for moderation. It's a controlled, safe markup language.

Q: Which forums support BBCode?

A: Nearly all major forum software: phpBB, vBulletin, Simple Machines Forum (SMF), MyBB, Invision Power Board (IPB), XenForo, and thousands more. Gaming communities, tech forums, hobbyist boards almost universally use BBCode. Some platforms like Discord historically supported BBCode but now use Markdown.

Q: Is BBCode standardized?

A: No official standard exists, but core tags ([b], [i], [u], [url], [img], [quote], [code], [list]) are universally supported. Each forum software may add custom tags like [spoiler], [table], [youtube], [color], [size]. Our converter focuses on widely-supported tags that work across most forums.

Q: Can I add colors and fonts to my BBCode?

A: Yes! BBCode supports [color=red]red text[/color], [color=#FF0000]hex colors[/color], [size=150]larger text[/size], [size=50]smaller text[/size], and [font=Arial]font choices[/font]. Not all forums enable these tags - check your forum's BBCode settings. These features go beyond what Markdown offers.

Q: How do I test my BBCode before posting?

A: Most forums have a "Preview" button. Alternatively, use online BBCode preview tools or test in your forum's signature editor (usually allows live preview). Some forums show BBCode rendering as you type. You can also create a private test thread visible only to you.

Q: What's the difference between [list] and [list=1]?

A: [list][*]item[/list] creates unordered (bulleted) lists. [list=1][*]item[/list] creates ordered (numbered) lists starting at 1. Some forums support [list=a] for alphabetic lists or [list=A] for uppercase. Use [*] (asterisk in brackets) for each list item, not separate closing tags.

Q: Can I nest BBCode tags?

A: Yes! BBCode supports nesting: [b][i]bold and italic[/i][/b], [url=link][img]image.png[/img][/url] (clickable images), [color=red][size=150]big red text[/size][/color]. Make sure tags close in reverse order they opened (like HTML). Complex nesting may not work on all forums - test first.