SQL Formatter

What Is a SQL Formatter?

A SQL formatter automatically rewrites SQL queries with consistent indentation, keyword casing, and clause alignment — making complex SQL easy to read, debug, and maintain. SQL formatting matters because queries that are auto-generated by ORMs or hand-written across years of codebase changes accumulate inconsistent styles. A formatter normalises everything so reviewers can focus on logic, not whitespace.

SQL Formatter Online — What This Tool Does

This free SQL formatter beautifies queries entirely in your browser using the sql-formatter library. Supports five dialects (generic SQL, MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, T-SQL), keyword casing options, and indent control. Output matches what tools like DataGrip and DBeaver produce locally — but without needing to install anything.

How to Format SQL Online

• Paste your SQL into the Input pane, or click Upload to load a .sql file.
• Select your database dialect: SQL (generic), MySQL, PG (PostgreSQL), SQLite, or T-SQL.
• Pick keyword case — ABC (UPPER), abc (lower), or – (preserve).
• Pick indent: 2, 4, or tab.
• Optional: enable No comments to strip -- and /* */ comments before formatting.
• Click Format. Output appears in the right pane.
• Click Copy or Download.

Dialect Support

• SQL — Generic ANSI SQL, compatible with most databases.
• MySQL — MySQL and MariaDB-flavored syntax (backticks, ON DUPLICATE KEY UPDATE).
• PG — PostgreSQL with CTEs, window functions, JSONB operators, RETURNING clause.
• SQLite — Lightweight SQLite dialect for mobile and embedded use.
• T-SQL — SQL Server / Azure SQL with TOP, table hints, variable syntax.

Formatting Options Explained

• Keywords → ABC — converts reserved words to UPPERCASE. SQL standard convention, used by most documentation.
• Keywords → abc — converts reserved words to lowercase. Common in PostgreSQL codebases.
• Keywords → – — preserves original casing.
• Indent — 2 spaces (most common), 4 spaces, or a real tab character.
• No comments — strips -- line comments and /* */ block comments before formatting.

Common Use Cases

• Format ORM-generated queries — Hibernate, Doctrine, Sequelize, Prisma produce single-line SQL that's hard to read.
• Code review prep — format before opening a PR so reviewers focus on logic.
• Stored procedure cleanup — legacy stored procs accumulated inconsistent style; a formatter normalises everything.
• Migration scripts — keep migration diffs clean.
• Onboarding — turn unfamiliar SQL into something a new team member can read.

Tips & Tricks

• Pick the right dialect — formatting MySQL with the PostgreSQL preset can mangle backtick identifiers.
• UPPER keywords is the safe default — matches most documentation and books.
• 2-space indent is the dominant standard — pick something else only to match team conventions.
• Always test formatted output — run in your DB client or with EXPLAIN to verify it parses identically.
• For embedded SQL use the SQL Minifier instead — produces compact single-line versions.

Related Tools

• SQL Beautifier — same operation, alternate name.
• MySQL Formatter — MySQL-specific dialect.
• PostgreSQL Formatter — PostgreSQL-specific dialect.
• SQL Minifier — opposite operation, compress SQL.
• JSON to SQL — generate INSERT statements from JSON arrays.

Is My SQL Sent to a Server?

No. All formatting runs entirely in your browser using the sql-formatter library. Your SQL — including production credentials, table names, and business logic — never leaves your machine.