diff --git a/src/editor/config.js b/src/editor/config.js
index 85114930..5514c1a9 100644
--- a/src/editor/config.js
+++ b/src/editor/config.js
@@ -89,7 +89,9 @@ export const CLASS_OR_ID = genUpper2LowerKeyHash([
   'AG_HIGHLIGHT',
   'AG_MATH',
   'AG_MATH_RENDER',
-  'AG_MATH_ERROR'
+  'AG_MATH_ERROR',
+  'AG_LOOSE_LIST_ITEM',
+  'AG_TIGHT_LIST_ITEM'
 ])
 
 export const codeMirrorConfig = {
diff --git a/src/editor/contentState/enterCtrl.js b/src/editor/contentState/enterCtrl.js
index 653c2fd7..9ac7dc08 100644
--- a/src/editor/contentState/enterCtrl.js
+++ b/src/editor/contentState/enterCtrl.js
@@ -187,6 +187,7 @@ const enterCtrl = ContentState => {
             newBlock = this.createBlockLi(post)
             newBlock.listItemType = block.listItemType
           }
+          newBlock.isLooseListItem = block.isLooseListItem
         } else {
           block.text = pre
           newBlock = this.createBlock(type, post)
@@ -218,6 +219,7 @@ const enterCtrl = ContentState => {
             newBlock = this.createBlockLi()
             newBlock.listItemType = parent.listItemType
           }
+          newBlock.isLooseListItem = parent.isLooseListItem
           this.insertAfter(newBlock, parent)
           const index = this.findIndex(parent.children, block)
           const partChildren = parent.children.splice(index + 1)
@@ -245,6 +247,7 @@ const enterCtrl = ContentState => {
             newBlock = this.createBlockLi()
             newBlock.listItemType = block.listItemType
           }
+          newBlock.isLooseListItem = block.isLooseListItem
         } else {
           newBlock = this.createBlock('p')
         }
diff --git a/src/editor/contentState/updateCtrl.js b/src/editor/contentState/updateCtrl.js
index 029ed2d9..5e5430a3 100644
--- a/src/editor/contentState/updateCtrl.js
+++ b/src/editor/contentState/updateCtrl.js
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ const updateCtrl = ContentState => {
     return false
   }
 
-  ContentState.prototype.checkInlineUpdate = function (block) {
+  ContentState.prototype.checkInlineUpdate = function (block, preferLooseListItem) {
     if (/th|td|figure/.test(block.type)) return false
     const { text } = block
     const parent = this.getParent(block)
@@ -43,11 +43,11 @@ const updateCtrl = ContentState => {
         return true
 
       case !!bullet:
-        this.updateList(block, 'bullet', bullet)
+        this.updateList(block, 'bullet', preferLooseListItem, bullet)
         return true
 
       case !!tasklist && parent && parent.listItemType === 'bullet': // only `bullet` list item can be update to `task` list item
-        this.updateTaskListItem(block, 'tasklist', tasklist)
+        this.updateTaskListItem(block, 'tasklist', preferLooseListItem, tasklist)
         return true
 
       case !!order:
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ const updateCtrl = ContentState => {
     this.render()
   }
 
-  ContentState.prototype.updateList = function (block, type, marker = '') {
+  ContentState.prototype.updateList = function (block, type, preferLooseListItem, marker = '') {
     const parent = this.getParent(block)
     const preSibling = this.getPreSibling(block)
     const nextSibling = this.getNextSibling(block)
@@ -155,6 +155,7 @@ const updateCtrl = ContentState => {
     const endOffset = end.offset
     const newBlock = this.createBlockLi(newText, block.type)
     newBlock.listItemType = type
+    newBlock.isLooseListItem = preferLooseListItem
 
     if (preSibling && preSibling.listType === type && nextSibling && nextSibling.listType === type) {
       this.appendChild(preSibling, newBlock)
@@ -224,7 +225,7 @@ const updateCtrl = ContentState => {
     block.type = 'hr'
   }
 
-  ContentState.prototype.updateState = function (event) {
+  ContentState.prototype.updateState = function (event, preferLooseListItem) {
     const { floatBox } = this
     const { start, end } = selection.getCursorRange()
     const { start: oldStart, end: oldEnd } = this.cursor
@@ -233,7 +234,7 @@ const updateCtrl = ContentState => {
     }
     if (event.type === 'click' && start.key !== end.key) {
       setTimeout(() => {
-        this.updateState(event)
+        this.updateState(event, preferLooseListItem)
       })
     }
     if (event.type === 'input' && oldStart.key !== oldEnd.key) {
@@ -326,7 +327,7 @@ const updateCtrl = ContentState => {
     this.cursor = { start, end }
 
     const checkMarkedUpdate = this.checkNeedRender(block)
-    const checkInlineUpdate = this.checkInlineUpdate(block)
+    const checkInlineUpdate = this.checkInlineUpdate(block, preferLooseListItem)
 
     if (checkMarkedUpdate || checkInlineUpdate || needRender) {
       this.render()
diff --git a/src/editor/index.js b/src/editor/index.js
index 96dfa694..3157f98e 100644
--- a/src/editor/index.js
+++ b/src/editor/index.js
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ import './assets/symbolIcon/index.css'
 
 class Aganippe {
   constructor (container, options) {
-    const { focusMode = false, theme = 'light', markdown = '' } = options
+    const { focusMode = false, theme = 'light', markdown = '', preferLooseListItem = true } = options
     this.container = container
     const eventCenter = this.eventCenter = new EventCenter()
     const floatBox = this.floatBox = new FloatBox(eventCenter)
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ class Aganippe {
     this.markdown = markdown
     this.fontSize = 16
     this.lineHeight = 1.6
+    this.preferLooseListItem = preferLooseListItem
     // private property
     this._isEditChinese = false
     this.init()
@@ -342,7 +343,7 @@ class Aganippe {
       // const style = getComputedStyle(target)
       // if (event.type === 'click' && !style.contenteditable) return
       if (!this._isEditChinese) {
-        this.contentState.updateState(event)
+        this.contentState.updateState(event, this.preferLooseListItem)
       }
       if (event.type === 'click' || event.type === 'keyup') {
         const selectionChanges = this.getSelection()
diff --git a/src/editor/parser/StateRender.js b/src/editor/parser/StateRender.js
index 699b484d..b806fc16 100644
--- a/src/editor/parser/StateRender.js
+++ b/src/editor/parser/StateRender.js
@@ -113,6 +113,7 @@ class StateRender {
             default:
               break
           }
+          blockSelector += block.isLooseListItem ? `.${CLASS_OR_ID['AG_LOOSE_LIST_ITEM']}` : `.${CLASS_OR_ID['AG_TIGHT_LIST_ITEM']}`
         }
         if (block.type === 'ol') {
           Object.assign(data.attrs, { start: block.start })
diff --git a/src/editor/parser/marked.js b/src/editor/parser/marked.js
index af8cb205..c0da7a90 100644
--- a/src/editor/parser/marked.js
+++ b/src/editor/parser/marked.js
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+import { CLASS_OR_ID } from '../config'
+
 /**
  * marked - a markdown parser
  * Copyright (c) 2011-2014, Christopher Jeffrey. (MIT Licensed)
@@ -155,7 +157,7 @@ Lexer.prototype.lex = function(src) {
 
 Lexer.prototype.token = function(src, top, bq) {
   var src = src.replace(/^ +$/gm, ''),
-    next, loose, cap, bull, b, item, space, i, l, checked;
+    loose, cap, bull, b, item, space, i, l, checked;
 
   while (src) {
     // newline
@@ -288,14 +290,18 @@ Lexer.prototype.token = function(src, top, bq) {
         listType: bull.length > 1 ? (/\d/.test(bull) ? 'order' : 'task') : 'bullet'
       });
 
+      let next = false;
+      let prevNext = true;
+      let listItemIndices = [];
+
       // Get each top-level item.
       cap = cap[0].match(this.rules.item);
-      next = false;
       l = cap.length;
       i = 0;
 
       for (; i < l; i++) {
-        item = cap[i];
+        const itemWithBullet = cap[i];
+        item = itemWithBullet;
 
         // Remove the list item's bullet
         // so it is seen as the next token.
@@ -331,13 +337,33 @@ Lexer.prototype.token = function(src, top, bq) {
           }
         }
 
-        // Determine whether item is loose or not.
-        // Use: /(^|\n)(?! )[^\n]+\n\n(?!\s*$)/
-        // for discount behavior.
-        loose = next || /\n\n(?!\s*$)/.test(item);
-        if (i !== l - 1) {
-          next = item.charAt(item.length - 1) === '\n';
-          if (!loose) loose = next;
+        var prevItem = '';
+        if (i === 0) {
+          prevItem = item;
+        } else {
+          prevItem = cap[i - 1];
+        }
+
+        // Determine whether item is loose or not. If previous item is loose
+        // this item is also loose.
+        loose = next = next || /^ *([*+-]|\d+\.) +\S+\n\n(?!\s*$)/.test(itemWithBullet);
+
+        // Check if previous line ends with a new line.
+        if (!loose && (i !== 0 || l > 1) && prevItem.length !== 0 && prevItem.charAt(prevItem.length - 1) === '\n') {
+          loose = next = true;
+        }
+
+        // A list is either loose or tight, so update previous list items.
+        if (next && prevNext !== next) {
+          for(const index of listItemIndices) {
+            this.tokens[index].type = 'loose_item_start'
+          }
+          listItemIndices = [];
+        }
+        prevNext = next;
+
+        if (!loose) {
+          listItemIndices.push(this.tokens.length);
         }
 
         this.tokens.push({
@@ -828,19 +854,26 @@ Renderer.prototype.list = function(body, ordered, taskList) {
   return '<' + type + classes + '>\n' + body + '</' + type + '>\n';
 };
 
-Renderer.prototype.listitem = function(text, checked, listItemType) {
-  var classes
+Renderer.prototype.listitem = function(text, checked, listItemType, loose) {
+  var classes;
   switch (listItemType) {
     case 'order':
-      classes = ' class="order-list-item"'
-      break
+      classes = ' class="order-list-item';
+      break;
     case 'task':
-      classes = ' class="task-list-item"'
-      break
+      classes = ' class="task-list-item';
+      break;
     case 'bullet':
-      classes = ' class="bullet-list-item"'
-      break
+      classes = ' class="bullet-list-item';
+      break;
+    default:
+      throw new
+      Error('Invalid state');
   }
+
+  // "tight-list-item" is only used to remove <p> padding
+  classes += loose ? ` .${CLASS_OR_ID['AG_LOOSE_LIST_ITEM']}"` : ` .${CLASS_OR_ID['AG_TIGHT_LIST_ITEM']}"`;
+
   if (checked === undefined) {
     return '<li ' + classes + '>' + text + '</li>\n';
   }
@@ -1107,7 +1140,7 @@ Parser.prototype.tok = function() {
             this.tok();
         }
 
-        return this.renderer.listitem(body, checked, listItemType);
+        return this.renderer.listitem(body, checked, listItemType, false);
       }
     case 'loose_item_start':
       {
@@ -1119,7 +1152,7 @@ Parser.prototype.tok = function() {
           body += this.tok();
         }
 
-        return this.renderer.listitem(body, checked, listItemType);
+        return this.renderer.listitem(body, checked, listItemType, true);
       }
     case 'html':
       {
diff --git a/src/editor/utils/exportMarkdown.js b/src/editor/utils/exportMarkdown.js
index e25682e4..8d5ee0cf 100644
--- a/src/editor/utils/exportMarkdown.js
+++ b/src/editor/utils/exportMarkdown.js
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@ class ExportMarkdown {
   constructor (blocks) {
     this.blocks = blocks
     this.listType = [] // 'ul' or 'ol'
+    // helper to translate the first tight item in a nested list
+    this.isLooseParentList = true
   }
 
   generate () {
@@ -20,7 +22,7 @@ class ExportMarkdown {
       switch (block.type) {
         case 'p':
         case 'hr':
-          this.insertLineBreak(result, indent)
+          this.insertLineBreak(result, indent, true)
           result.push(this.normalizeParagraphText(block, indent))
           break
 
@@ -30,43 +32,58 @@ class ExportMarkdown {
         case 'h4':
         case 'h5':
         case 'h6':
-          this.insertLineBreak(result, indent)
+          this.insertLineBreak(result, indent, true)
           result.push(this.normalizeHeaderText(block, indent))
           break
 
         case 'figure':
-          this.insertLineBreak(result, indent)
+          this.insertLineBreak(result, indent, true)
           const table = block.children[1]
           result.push(this.normalizeTable(table, indent))
           break
 
-        case 'li':
-          this.insertLineBreak(result, indent)
-          result.push(this.normalizeListItem(block, indent))
-          break
+        case 'li': {
+          const insertNewLine = block.isLooseListItem
 
-        case 'ul':
-          this.insertLineBreak(result, indent)
+          // helper variable to correct the first tight item in a nested list
+          this.isLooseParentList = insertNewLine
+
+          this.insertLineBreak(result, indent, insertNewLine)
+          result.push(this.normalizeListItem(block, indent))
+          this.isLooseParentList = true
+          break
+        }
+
+        case 'ul': {
+          const insertNewLine = this.isLooseParentList
+          this.isLooseParentList = true
+
+          this.insertLineBreak(result, indent, insertNewLine)
           this.listType.push({ type: 'ul' })
           result.push(this.normalizeList(block, indent))
           this.listType.pop()
           break
+        }
 
-        case 'ol':
-          this.insertLineBreak(result, indent)
+        case 'ol': {
+          const insertNewLine = this.isLooseParentList
+          this.isLooseParentList = true
+
+          this.insertLineBreak(result, indent, insertNewLine)
           const listCount = block.start !== undefined ? block.start : 1
           this.listType.push({ type: 'ol', listCount })
           result.push(this.normalizeList(block, indent))
           this.listType.pop()
           break
+        }
 
         case 'pre':
-          this.insertLineBreak(result, indent)
+          this.insertLineBreak(result, indent, true)
           result.push(this.normalizeCodeBlock(block, indent))
           break
 
         case 'blockquote':
-          this.insertLineBreak(result, indent)
+          this.insertLineBreak(result, indent, true)
           result.push(this.normalizeBlockquote(block, indent))
           break
         default:
@@ -77,12 +94,13 @@ class ExportMarkdown {
     return result.join('')
   }
 
-  insertLineBreak (result, indent) {
+  insertLineBreak (result, indent, insertNewLine) {
+    const newLine = insertNewLine ? '\n' : ''
     if (result.length > 0) {
       if (/\S/.test(indent)) {
-        result.push(`${indent}\n`)
-      } else {
-        result.push('\n')
+        result.push(`${indent}${newLine}`)
+      } else if (insertNewLine) {
+        result.push(newLine)
       }
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/editor/utils/importMarkdown.js b/src/editor/utils/importMarkdown.js
index f7476329..541c6ccf 100644
--- a/src/editor/utils/importMarkdown.js
+++ b/src/editor/utils/importMarkdown.js
@@ -153,9 +153,11 @@ const importRegister = ContentState => {
             break
 
           case 'li':
-            const isTask = child.attrs.some(attr => attr.name === 'class' && attr.value === 'task-list-item')
+            const isTask = child.attrs.some(attr => attr.name === 'class' && attr.value.includes('task-list-item'))
+            const isLoose = child.attrs.some(attr => attr.name === 'class' && attr.value.includes(CLASS_OR_ID['AG_LOOSE_LIST_ITEM']))
             block = this.createBlock('li')
             block.listItemType = parent.nodeName === 'ul' ? (isTask ? 'task' : 'bullet') : 'order'
+            block.isLooseListItem = isLoose
             this.appendChild(parent, block)
             travel(block, child.childNodes)
             break
diff --git a/src/renderer/app.vue b/src/renderer/app.vue
index f7996c76..b1f6e062 100644
--- a/src/renderer/app.vue
+++ b/src/renderer/app.vue
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@
     computed: {
       ...mapState([
         'pathname', 'filename', 'isSaved', 'windowActive', 'wordCount',
-        'typewriter', 'focus', 'sourceCode', 'markdown',
+        'typewriter', 'focus', 'sourceCode', 'markdown', 'preferLooseListItem',
         'cursor', 'theme', 'platform', 'lightColor', 'darkColor', 'fontSize', 'lineHeight'
       ])
     },
diff --git a/src/renderer/components/editor.vue b/src/renderer/components/editor.vue
index d846a5d5..7cf1123e 100644
--- a/src/renderer/components/editor.vue
+++ b/src/renderer/components/editor.vue
@@ -59,6 +59,7 @@
 </template>
 
 <script>
+  import { mapState } from 'vuex'
   import Aganippe from '../../editor'
   import bus from '../bus'
   import { animatedScrollTo } from '../util'
@@ -94,6 +95,11 @@
       lightColor: String,
       darkColor: String
     },
+    computed: {
+      ...mapState([
+        'preferLooseListItem'
+      ])
+    },
     data () {
       return {
         selectionChange: null,
@@ -139,8 +145,9 @@
     created () {
       this.$nextTick(() => {
         const ele = this.$refs.editor
-        const { theme, focus: focusMode, markdown, typewriter } = this
-        const { container } = this.editor = new Aganippe(ele, { theme, focusMode, markdown })
+        const { theme, focus: focusMode, markdown, preferLooseListItem, typewriter } = this
+
+        const { container } = this.editor = new Aganippe(ele, { theme, focusMode, markdown, preferLooseListItem })
 
         if (typewriter) {
           this.scrollToCursor()
@@ -162,6 +169,7 @@
         bus.$on('insert-image', this.handleSelect)
         bus.$on('content-in-source-mode', this.handleMarkdownChange)
         bus.$on('editor-blur', this.blurEditor)
+        bus.$on('update-prefer-loose-list-item', this.handlePreferLooseListItemChange)
         bus.$on('image-auto-path', this.handleImagePath)
 
         this.editor.on('insert-image', type => {
@@ -324,6 +332,12 @@
 
       blurEditor () {
         this.editor.blur()
+      },
+
+      handlePreferLooseListItemChange (preferLooseListItem) {
+        if (this.editor) {
+          this.editor.preferLooseListItem = preferLooseListItem
+        }
       }
     },
 
@@ -339,6 +353,7 @@
       bus.$off('find', this.handleFind)
       bus.$off('dotu-select', this.handleSelect)
       bus.$off('editor-blur', this.blurEditor)
+      bus.$off('update-pref-list-item-type', this.handlePreferLooseListItemChange)
       bus.$on('image-auto-path', this.handleImagePath)
 
       this.editor.destroy()
diff --git a/src/renderer/store/editor.js b/src/renderer/store/editor.js
index 380cad42..851813be 100644
--- a/src/renderer/store/editor.js
+++ b/src/renderer/store/editor.js
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ const state = {
   lightColor: '#303133', // color in light theme
   darkColor: 'rgb(217, 217, 217)', // color in dark theme
   autoSave: false,
+  preferLooseListItem: true, // prefer loose or tight list items
   // edit mode
   typewriter: false, // typewriter mode
   focus: false, // focus mode
@@ -66,7 +67,7 @@ const mutations = {
   },
   SET_USER_PREFERENCE (state, preference) {
     Object.keys(preference).forEach(key => {
-      if (preference[key]) {
+      if (typeof preference[key] !== 'undefined' && typeof state[key] !== 'undefined') {
         state[key] = preference[key]
       }
     })
@@ -101,9 +102,15 @@ const actions = {
     ipcRenderer.send('AGANI::ask-for-user-preference')
     ipcRenderer.on('AGANI::user-preference', (e, preference) => {
       const { autoSave } = preference
+      const { preferLooseListItem } = state // old value
 
       commit('SET_USER_PREFERENCE', preference)
 
+      if (typeof preference.preferLooseListItem !== 'undefined' &&
+        preference.preferLooseListItem !== preferLooseListItem) {
+        bus.$emit('update-prefer-loose-list-item', preference.preferLooseListItem)
+      }
+
       // handle autoSave
       if (autoSave) {
         const { pathname, markdown } = state
diff --git a/static/preference.md b/static/preference.md
index bd34aaf6..1acec9ed 100755
--- a/static/preference.md
+++ b/static/preference.md
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 Edit and save to update preferences, You can only change the json bellow!
 
-- **theme**: *String* `dark` or `light` 
+- **theme**: *String* `dark` or `light`
 
 - **autoSave**: *Boolean* `true` or `false`
 
@@ -14,7 +14,8 @@ Edit and save to update preferences, You can only change the json bellow!
   "lineHeight": "1.6",
   "theme": "light",
   "autoSave": false,
-  "aidou": false
+  "aidou": false,
+  "preferLooseListItem": true
 }
 ```
 
diff --git a/static/themes/dark.css b/static/themes/dark.css
index 9b48c4f7..493b94b3 100755
--- a/static/themes/dark.css
+++ b/static/themes/dark.css
@@ -248,6 +248,11 @@ li p.first {
   display: inline-block;
 }
 
+li.ag-tight-list-item > p {
+  padding: 0;
+  margin: 0;
+}
+
 ul,
 ol {
   padding-left: 30px;
diff --git a/static/themes/light.css b/static/themes/light.css
index 84873b44..82b0eef7 100644
--- a/static/themes/light.css
+++ b/static/themes/light.css
@@ -221,6 +221,11 @@ li p.first {
   display: inline-block;
 }
 
+li.ag-tight-list-item > p {
+  padding: 0;
+  margin: 0;
+}
+
 ul,
 ol {
   padding-left: 30px;