What is the syntax for an Obsidian callout?
Write a blockquote and put the callout type in square brackets with an exclamation mark on the first line: > [!note]. Everything on the following > lines becomes the callout body.
Obsidian Callouts
Quick answer
Create an Obsidian callout by writing a blockquote with the callout type in brackets on the first line: > [!note]. Add - after the type for a collapsible callout, and text after it for a custom title.
Obsidian Callout Types
| Type | Aliases | Use for |
|---|---|---|
[!note] | — | General information (default blue) |
[!abstract] | summary, tldr | A short summary |
[!info] | — | Neutral information |
[!todo] | — | Task or to-do item |
[!tip] | hint, important | Helpful advice |
[!success] | check, done | A completed or positive result |
[!question] | help, faq | A question or FAQ |
[!warning] | caution, attention | Something to be careful about |
[!failure] | fail, missing | A failed step or missing item |
[!danger] | error | A critical warning |
[!bug] | — | A known bug or issue |
[!example] | — | An example block |
[!quote] | cite | A quotation |
Type names are case-insensitive. Aliases render with the same icon and color as the primary type.
Callout Examples
Basic callout
> [!note] > This is a note callout in Obsidian.
Start a blockquote, then put the callout type in [!brackets] on the first line.
Callout with a custom title
> [!tip] Save time > Type "/callout" to insert one from the command palette.
Add text after the [!type] to override the default heading.
Collapsible callout (folded)
> [!summary]- Research notes > Hidden until you expand it.
A minus sign after the type collapses the callout by default. A plus sign starts it expanded.
Callout with no title
> [!info] > A callout with only its icon and content, no heading text.
Leave the title empty to show just the colored bar and icon.
Nested callouts
> [!question] Can callouts be nested? > > [!success] Yes! > > Just add more > characters.
Stack blockquote markers to nest one callout inside another.
Rich content inside a callout
> [!example] Checklist > - [ ] Draft outline > - [x] Collect sources > > Callouts support **lists**, `code`, and [[wikilinks]].
Any Markdown works inside a callout, including task lists, code, and links.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make a collapsible callout?
Add a minus sign right after the type to fold it by default, for example > [!tip]- Title. Use a plus sign, > [!tip]+ Title, to make it expandable but open by default.
What callout types does Obsidian support?
Obsidian has 13 built-in types: note, abstract (summary, tldr), info, todo, tip (hint, important), success (check, done), question (help, faq), warning (caution, attention), failure (fail, missing), danger (error), bug, example, and quote (cite). Type names are case-insensitive.
Can I give a callout a custom title?
Yes. Add your title text after the type, like > [!warning] Read this first. Leave it blank to show only the icon and default styling.
Do Obsidian callouts work on GitHub?
Not directly. GitHub uses its own alert syntax (> [!NOTE], > [!TIP], > [!IMPORTANT], > [!WARNING], > [!CAUTION]) with uppercase types and a smaller set. Obsidian supports many more types and collapsible callouts.