# Images in Markdown

> How to add images in Markdown with ![alt](url) — and why the alt text is what AI actually reads.

## Basic syntax

It's a link with an exclamation mark in front. Brackets hold the alt text, parentheses hold the image path or URL.

```markdown
![A cat asleep on a keyboard](cat.jpg)
```

## Alt text is what AI reads

The text in the brackets is the alt text. Screen readers and AI models read it instead of seeing the picture, so describe what actually matters in the image.

## Reference-style images

Define the image once with a label, then reuse the label — handy when the same image appears several times.

```markdown
![Our logo][logo]

[logo]: /logo.png
```

:::tip
For AI, an image with empty alt text is invisible. Always describe the content — and for a chart, state the takeaway, not just "chart".
:::