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MD021 - No multiple spaces in closed heading

Aliases: no-multiple-space-closed-atx

What this rule does

Ensures there's only one space after the opening # and before the closing # in headings that use # symbols at both ends.

Why this matters

  • Consistency: Extra spaces create uneven visual spacing
  • Cleanliness: Single spacing looks professional
  • Standards: Follows Markdown best practices for heading formatting

Examples

✅ Correct

# Heading 1 #
## Heading 2 ##
### Heading 3 ###
#### Heading 4 ####
##### Heading 5 #####
###### Heading 6 ######

❌ Incorrect

#  Heading 1  #
##   Heading 2   ##
###    Heading 3    ###
####  Heading 4 ####      (extra spaces at start)
##### Heading 5  #####  (extra spaces at end)

🔧 Fixed

# Heading 1 #
## Heading 2 ##
### Heading 3 ###
#### Heading 4 ####
##### Heading 5 #####

Configuration

This rule has no configuration options.

Automatic fixes

This rule automatically removes extra spaces:

  • Leaves only one space after the opening # symbols
  • Leaves only one space before the closing # symbols

Learn more

  • MD018 - No missing space after hash in heading
  • MD019 - No multiple spaces after hash in heading
  • MD020 - No missing space in closed heading
  • MD003 - Heading style should be consistent