What Is Code Formatter?

Code Formatter is an online tool that automatically beautifies and reformats source code for six popular programming languages: JavaScript, HTML, CSS, SQL, Python, and PHP. It transforms messy, unformatted code into clean, consistently indented, and readable code.

Industry-Standard Engines: The tool uses professional formatting engines including Prettier, sql-formatter, and js-beautify to ensure your code follows widely accepted style conventions.

Who Should Use This Tool?

Developers

Quickly format code snippets before committing or sharing with teammates

Students

Learn proper code formatting and indentation practices

Code Reviewers

Reformat messy code to make it easier to read and review

Technical Writers

Prepare clean code examples for documentation and tutorials

Anyone Working with Code

Convert minified or obfuscated code into human-readable format

Supported Languages

JavaScript

Modern JavaScript formatting with full ES6+ support

ES6+ syntax support
JSX formatting
TypeScript-compatible

HTML

Clean markup with proper structure

Tag indentation
Attribute wrapping
Nested element formatting

CSS

Organized stylesheets with consistent formatting

Property formatting
Selector organization
Media query handling

SQL

Database query formatting with dialect support

Keyword casing
Multiple dialects (MySQL, PostgreSQL, MSSQL, Oracle)
Query structure optimization

Python

PEP 8 compliant indentation

Indentation-based formatting
Block structure preservation
Whitespace optimization

PHP

Server-side code formatting with Prettier

Class formatting
Function organization
Mixed HTML/PHP support

Your Code Stays Private

All formatting happens entirely in your browser using client-side JavaScript. Your code never touches any server, ensuring complete privacy and security.

Server-Based Tools

Privacy Risks

Code uploaded to servers
Potential data logging
Usage tracking
Network dependency

Code Formatter

Complete Privacy

No uploads - code stays on your device
No storage - nothing saved on servers
No tracking - zero data collection
Works offline after initial load

Table of Contents

1. What Is Code Formatter?
2. How to Use Code Formatter
3. Features
4. Frequently Asked Questions

How to Use Code Formatter

Using Code Formatter is simple and intuitive. Select your language, paste your code, and the tool formats it automatically with real-time preview.

Step-by-Step Guide

Select a Language

Click a language tab at the top of the interface. Choose from JavaScript, HTML, CSS, SQL, Python, or PHP based on your code type.

Paste Your Code

Type or paste your unformatted code into the Input panel on the left side. The tool accepts code of any length and complexity.

View the Result

The formatted code appears instantly in the Output panel with full syntax highlighting, making it easy to read and review.

Adjust Settings

Customize indentation size, quote style, line width, or other language-specific options using the toolbar controls.

Copy or Download

Use the toolbar buttons to copy the formatted code to clipboard or download it as a file with the appropriate extension.

Customizing Format Options

The toolbar provides comprehensive formatting controls that adapt to each programming language:

Indentation Settings

Choose your preferred indentation style to match your coding standards or team conventions:

2 spaces (compact, common in JavaScript)
3 spaces (less common, specific preferences)
4 spaces (Python standard, widely used)
8 spaces (traditional Unix style)
Tab characters (configurable width in editors)

Print Width Control

Set the maximum line length for languages that support automatic line wrapping:

80 characters - Traditional standard, fits in narrow terminals
100 characters - Modern balanced approach
120 characters - Wide format for modern displays

Note: Print width affects JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and PHP. SQL and Python use different formatting rules.

Language-Specific Options

Each language provides specialized formatting controls:

about:blank Semicolons (add/remove), quote style (single/double), trailing commas
HTML: Attribute wrapping, bracket positioning, self-closing tags
CSS: Property ordering, selector formatting
SQL: Keyword case (uppercase/lowercase), dialect selection (MySQL, PostgreSQL, MSSQL, Oracle)
Python: Indentation level consistency
PHP: Bracket style, class formatting

Editing the Output

The output panel offers two flexible viewing modes to suit different workflows:

View Mode (Default)

Shows syntax-highlighted code in a read-only display powered by Prism.js. This mode is optimized for reviewing formatted results with clear color-coding for keywords, strings, comments, and other syntax elements.

Full syntax highlighting
Fast rendering performance
Easy to read and review
Automatic theme adaptation (light/dark)

Edit Mode

Click the Edit button (pencil icon) in the output panel header to switch to an interactive code editor powered by CodeMirror. This mode allows you to make manual adjustments after automatic formatting.

Full text editing capabilities
Line numbers and syntax highlighting
Code folding and selection
Preserves changes when switching back to View mode

Performance Tip: CodeMirror is loaded on demand, so it doesn't slow down the initial page load. The editor appears instantly when you click Edit.

Working with Files

Upload Files

Click the upload button to load code files directly from your device. Supports all common code file extensions.

Download Results

Save formatted code as a file with the appropriate extension (.js, .html, .css, .sql, .py, .php).

Copy to Clipboard

One-click copy to clipboard for quick pasting into your code editor or documentation.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Speed up your workflow with these convenient keyboard shortcuts:

Tab - Insert indentation in the input area (spaces or tab character based on your setting)
Ctrl + Shift + F - Format code immediately without waiting for the auto-format delay

Pro Tip: Use Ctrl + Shift + F when working with large files to trigger formatting exactly when you need it.

Features

Multi-Language Support

Code Formatter supports six popular programming languages, each powered by a dedicated, industry-standard formatting engine:

Language	Engine	Key Features	Options
JavaScript	Prettier	ES6+, JSX, TypeScript support	Semicolons, quotes, trailing commas
HTML	Prettier	Tag indentation, nested elements	Attribute wrapping, bracket position
CSS	Prettier	Property formatting, selectors	Line width, property ordering
SQL	sql-formatter	Multi-dialect support	Keyword case, dialect (MySQL, PostgreSQL, MSSQL, Oracle)
Python	js-beautify	Indentation-based formatting	Indentation level, block structure
PHP	Prettier + PHP plugin	Class and function formatting	Bracket style, mixed HTML/PHP

Syntax-Highlighted Output

The formatted output is displayed with full syntax highlighting powered by Prism.js, making code easier to read and understand at a glance.

Color-Coded Syntax

Professional syntax highlighting with distinct colors for:

Keywords and reserved words
Strings and template literals
Comments and documentation
Numbers and boolean values
Functions and class names
Operators and punctuation

Adaptive Themes

Automatic theme adaptation for optimal readability:

Light mode with high contrast colors
Dark mode with eye-friendly palette
Follows system preferences automatically
Optimized for extended reading sessions

Editable Output with CodeMirror

Need to make quick adjustments after formatting? Switch to Edit mode for a full-featured code editor experience.

CodeMirror provides the same editing experience you'd find in professional code editors, with line numbers, syntax highlighting, and intelligent text selection.
— CodeMirror Development Team

Interactive code editor with line numbers
Full text editing and selection capabilities
Syntax highlighting maintained in edit mode
Code folding for large files
Loaded on demand for optimal performance
Changes preserved when switching between modes

Customizable Indentation

Choose your preferred indentation style to match your coding standards, team conventions, or personal preferences:

2 Spaces

Compact style, popular in JavaScript and web development communities

4 Spaces

Python standard (PEP 8), widely used across many languages

Tab Characters

Configurable width in editors, preferred by some development teams

Universal Setting: The indentation setting applies to all languages and updates the output immediately when changed, ensuring consistency across your entire codebase.

Real-Time Formatting

Experience instant feedback as you work. Code is formatted automatically as you type, with intelligent delay to optimize performance.

Manual Formatting

Traditional Workflow

Write code
Click format button
Wait for processing
Review results
Repeat for each change

Real-Time

Automated Workflow

Write or paste code
Automatic formatting (300ms delay)
Instant preview with syntax highlighting
Press Ctrl+Shift+F for immediate format
Continuous feedback as you type

File Operations

Seamlessly integrate Code Formatter into your development workflow with comprehensive file handling capabilities:

Upload

Load code files directly from your device. Supports all common extensions.

Format

Automatic formatting with your preferred settings applied instantly.

Download

Save with correct extension (.js, .html, .css, .sql, .py, .php).

Quick Copy: Use the one-click copy button to instantly copy formatted code to your clipboard for pasting into your code editor or documentation.

Status Indicators

Stay informed about your formatting operations with real-time status updates and file statistics displayed in the status bar at the bottom of the interface.

Ready

Tool is ready to format code. Waiting for input or changes.

Formatted

Code successfully formatted. Shows line count and file size statistics.

Error

Syntax error detected. Check input code for issues.

File Statistics: The status bar displays useful metrics including:

Line Count - Total number of lines in formatted output
File Size - Size of formatted code in bytes, KB, or MB
Character Count - Total characters including whitespace

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my code sent to a server?

No. Absolutely not. All formatting happens entirely in your browser using JavaScript libraries (Prettier, sql-formatter, js-beautify). Your code never leaves your device.

100% Client-Side Processing: The tool works completely offline after the initial page load. You can even disconnect from the internet and continue formatting code.

What formatting engines are used?

Code Formatter uses industry-standard, professional-grade formatting engines:

Prettier - Handles JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and PHP formatting
sql-formatter - Handles SQL with multi-dialect support
js-beautify - Handles Python indentation

These are the same tools used by professional developers in popular code editors like VS Code, Sublime Text, and Atom.

Why does my code show an error?

The formatter may show an error if your code contains syntax errors that prevent parsing. Common causes include:

Missing closing brackets, parentheses, or quotes
Invalid syntax for the selected language
Incomplete code snippets or fragments
Wrong language selected (e.g., Python code in JavaScript tab)

Solution: Try fixing the syntax issue in the input panel. The formatter will automatically reprocess the code and update the output when valid syntax is detected.

Can I edit the formatted output?

Yes, absolutely. Click the Edit button (pencil icon) in the output panel header to switch to an editable code editor powered by CodeMirror.

In Edit mode, you can:

Make manual adjustments to the formatted code
Add comments or documentation
Modify specific sections without reformatting
Copy or download your edited version

Your changes are preserved when switching back to View mode.

What is the difference between View and Edit mode?

Feature	View Mode	Edit Mode
Purpose	Read-only display	Interactive editing
Syntax Highlighting	Prism.js	CodeMirror
Editing	No	Yes
Line Numbers	Optional	Always
Performance	Fast	Optimized

What does Print Width mean?

Print Width sets the maximum number of characters per line. The formatter will try to wrap lines that exceed this limit to improve readability.

Common values and their use cases:

80 characters - Traditional standard, fits in narrow terminals and side-by-side editor layouts
100 characters - Modern balanced approach, good for most development scenarios
120 characters - Wide format optimized for modern high-resolution displays

Note: Print width primarily affects JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and PHP. SQL and Python use different formatting rules based on their syntax structure.

What SQL dialects are supported?

The SQL formatter supports five major database dialects, each with specific syntax rules:

Standard SQL

ANSI SQL standard syntax, compatible with most databases

MySQL

MySQL-specific syntax including backtick identifiers

PostgreSQL

PostgreSQL syntax with advanced features support

MSSQL (Transact-SQL)

Microsoft SQL Server T-SQL syntax

Oracle (PL/SQL)

Oracle Database PL/SQL syntax

Select the appropriate dialect from the SQL options toolbar to ensure accurate formatting for your specific database system.

Can I use Tab characters instead of spaces?

Yes. Click the "Tab" button in the indentation options to use tab characters instead of spaces for indentation.

Benefits of Tab characters:

Configurable width in different code editors
Smaller file size (one character vs. multiple spaces)
Accessibility - users can set their preferred visual width
Preferred by some development teams and coding standards

Team Consistency: Choose the indentation style that matches your team's coding standards or project requirements for consistency across your codebase.

Does it support TypeScript or JSX?

Yes, fully supported. The JavaScript formatter uses Prettier with the Babel parser, which has built-in support for TypeScript and JSX syntax.

Supported syntax features:

TypeScript

Full TypeScript syntax support including:

Type annotations and interfaces
Generics and type parameters
Enums and namespaces
Decorators and metadata

JSX / TSX

React component formatting including:

JSX elements and fragments
Component props and attributes
Embedded expressions
TypeScript + JSX (TSX)

Simply paste your TypeScript or JSX code in the JavaScript tab and the formatter will handle it automatically.