diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index e5cb865..a37b5e5 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -73,6 +73,9 @@ simplemde.value("This text will appear in the editor");
   - **enabled**: If set to `true`, autosave the text. Defaults to `false`.
   - **delay**: Delay between saves, in milliseconds. Defaults to `10000` (10s).
   - **uniqueId**: You must set a unique string identifier so that SimpleMDE can autosave. Something that separates this from other instances of SimpleMDE elsewhere on your website.
+- **blockStyles**: Customize how certain buttons that style blocks of text behave.
+  - **bold** Can be set to `**` or `__`. Defaults to `**`.
+  - **italic** Can be set to `*` or `_`. Defaults to `*`.
 - **element**: The DOM element for the textarea to use. Defaults to the first textarea on the page.
 - **hideIcons**: An array of icon names to hide. Can be used to hide specific icons without completely customizing the toolbar.
 - **indentWithTabs**: If set to `false`, indent using spaces instead of tabs. Defaults to `true`.
@@ -107,6 +110,10 @@ var simplemde = new SimpleMDE({
 		uniqueId: "MyUniqueID",
 		delay: 1000,
 	},
+	blockStyles: {
+		bold: "__",
+		italic: "_"
+	},
 	element: document.getElementById("MyID"),
 	hideIcons: ["guide", "heading"],
 	indentWithTabs: false,
diff --git a/src/js/simplemde.js b/src/js/simplemde.js
index 9ba9d14..9972c12 100644
--- a/src/js/simplemde.js
+++ b/src/js/simplemde.js
@@ -171,7 +171,7 @@ function toggleFullScreen(editor) {
  * Action for toggling bold.
  */
 function toggleBold(editor) {
-	_toggleBlock(editor, "bold", "**");
+	_toggleBlock(editor, "bold", editor.options.blockStyles.bold);
 }
 
 
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@ function toggleBold(editor) {
  * Action for toggling italic.
  */
 function toggleItalic(editor) {
-	_toggleBlock(editor, "italic", "*");
+	_toggleBlock(editor, "italic", editor.options.blockStyles.italic);
 }
 
 
@@ -802,6 +802,10 @@ var insertTexts = {
 	horizontalRule: ["", "\n\n-----\n\n"]
 };
 
+var blockStyles = {
+	"bold": "**",
+	"italic": "*"
+};
 
 /**
  * Interface of SimpleMDE.
@@ -878,6 +882,10 @@ function SimpleMDE(options) {
 	options.insertTexts = extend({}, insertTexts, options.insertTexts || {});
 
 
+	// Merging the blockStyles, with the given options
+	options.blockStyles = extend({}, blockStyles, options.blockStyles || {});
+
+
 	// Change unique_id to uniqueId for backwards compatibility
 	if(options.autosave != undefined && options.autosave.unique_id != undefined && options.autosave.unique_id != "")
 		options.autosave.uniqueId = options.autosave.unique_id;