Format and Beautify Code Online — JSON, HTML, CSS, SQL & JavaScript

How to Format Your Code

Formatting your code is quick and easy with Smart Formatter.

What Is Code Formatting?

Code formatting, sometimes referred to as code beautification, is the process of arranging code according to consistent rules for indentation, spacing, and line breaks to improve readability. Code formatting focuses on the presentation and structure of the code rather than changing its intended logic.

For example, consider this minified JSON:

{"user":{"id":102,"name":"Alex","active":true,"roles":["admin","editor"]}}

After formatting, it becomes:

{
  "user": {
    "id": 102,
    "name": "Alex",
    "active": true,
    "roles": ["admin", "editor"]
  }
}

Notice how formatting changes the way the content is presented. Both versions contain the same data, but the second version is much easier to read and understand.

The same principle applies to other programming and data formats. Formatting HTML, CSS, SQL, JavaScript, and other supported content can make the structure clearer and easier to follow.

Why Formatting Matters

Code may be minified or compressed for performance because smaller files can reduce the amount of data that needs to be transferred. However, compressed code can be difficult for people to inspect and understand. Formatting provides a more readable representation for development, review, and troubleshooting.

{"status":"success","data":[{"id":1,"name":"Item A"},{"id":2,"name":"Item B"}]}

{
  "status": "success",
  "data": [
    { "id": 1, "name": "Item A" },
    { "id": 2, "name": "Item B" }
  ]
}