SQL Formatter: Beautify and Format SQL Queries Online
Paste a messy SQL query and get clean, readable code in one click. This free SQL formatter is also a SQL beautifier and SQL pretty printer: it puts each clause on its own line, indents joins, subqueries and CASE blocks, and sets keywords to upper or lower case. Pick your dialect, such as MySQL, PostgreSQL or SQL Server (T-SQL), choose 2 spaces, 4 spaces or tabs, and copy the result. It runs in your browser, and your query is never sent to a server or run against a database.
Use it to read a long query from a log or an ORM, clean up SQL before a code review, tidy a stored procedure, or share a query in a ticket without the wall of text.
Use the toolThis tool only changes layout and keyword case. It does not run your query or check that tables and columns exist.
One clause per line
SELECT, FROM, WHERE, joins and CTEs are laid out clearly.
8 dialects
MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, SQLite, Oracle, BigQuery and Snowflake.
Your style
Choose keyword case, indent, comma position and blank lines.
Private by design
Your SQL never leaves your browser and is never run.
Paste your SQL into the Input pane, choose your dialect and style, and press Format SQL. Each clause moves to its own line and nested parts are indented. Press Minify to put the query back on one line.
Key Takeaways
- A formatter changes only layout and keyword case, so the query returns exactly the same result.
- Choose the dialect that matches your database so brackets, backticks and double colon casts are read correctly.
- Text inside quotes and quoted names is never changed, in both Format and Minify.
- Start of line commas make it easy to comment out one column, and CTEs keep long queries readable.
- The tool does not run your SQL or check your tables, so remove passwords and personal data before you share a query.
How to Format a SQL Query Online
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1STEP 1 Paste your SQL into the input box. It can be one query or several separated by semicolons.
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2STEP 2 Choose your dialect. This helps the formatter treat dialect-specific syntax such as T-SQL brackets or PostgreSQL casts correctly.
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3STEP 3 Set keyword case, indent size and comma position to match your team style.
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4STEP 4 Click Format. Each clause starts on a new line and nested parts are indented.
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5STEP 5 Copy the result or download it as a .sql file. Click Minify if you need the query back on one line.
SQL Beautifier: Before and After
Queries copied from logs, ORMs and BI tools usually arrive as one long line. Here is an example before formatting:
select c.name, count(o.id) as total_orders, sum(o.amount) as revenue from customers c inner join orders o on o.customer_id = c.id where o.status = 'paid' and o.created_at >= '2026-01-01' group by c.name having sum(o.amount) > 1000 order by revenue desc;After formatting, the same query is easy to scan:
SELECT
c.name,
COUNT(o.id) AS total_orders,
SUM(o.amount) AS revenue
FROM customers c
INNER JOIN orders o ON o.customer_id = c.id
WHERE o.status = 'paid'
AND o.created_at >= '2026-01-01'
GROUP BY c.name
HAVING SUM(o.amount) > 1000
ORDER BY revenue DESC;Nothing about the logic changed. Only line breaks, indentation and the case of keywords were adjusted, so the formatted query returns exactly the same result.
SQL Query Formatter Options Explained
| Option | Choices | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Dialect | Standard, MySQL, PostgreSQL, T-SQL, SQLite, PL/SQL, BigQuery, Snowflake | Reads dialect-specific syntax correctly, such as [brackets], backticks or :: casts |
| Keyword case | UPPER, lower, keep | Changes SELECT, FROM, WHERE and similar words. Table and column names are left as they are |
| Indent | 2 spaces, 4 spaces, tab | Sets how far nested lines move in |
| Comma position | End of line or start of line | Start of line makes it easy to comment out one column |
| Blank lines | 0 to 3 | Adds space between statements in a script |
SQL Pretty Print Style Guide: Habits That Make Queries Readable
A formatter handles spacing, but a few habits make queries easier to read and review. These are common conventions, and teams differ, so follow your own style guide where you have one.
- Put each major clause (SELECT, FROM, WHERE, GROUP BY, HAVING, ORDER BY) on its own line so the shape of the query is clear.
- List one column per line in long SELECT statements. Diffs in version control then show exactly which column changed.
- Write keywords in capitals and names in lower case, or the other way round, but be consistent.
- Give tables short, meaningful aliases and use them for every column in a join.
- Indent join conditions under the join, and put each condition in an AND or OR on its own line.
- Use CTEs (WITH clauses) instead of deeply nested subqueries so each step has a name.
- Add comments for business rules, not for obvious syntax.
Format SQL for MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server and Other Dialects
Standard SQL is shared, but every database adds its own syntax. Choose the right dialect so those parts are not broken.
| Dialect | Examples the formatter should respect |
|---|---|
| MySQL and MariaDB | Backtick quoted names such as `order`, LIMIT with offset, ON DUPLICATE KEY UPDATE |
| PostgreSQL | Double colon casts such as created_at::date, RETURNING, ILIKE, array and JSON operators |
| SQL Server (T-SQL) | Square bracket names such as [Order Details], TOP, variables starting with @, GO batches |
| SQLite | Mostly standard SQL, with simple type rules and PRAGMA statements |
| Oracle (PL/SQL) | Blocks with BEGIN and END, DUAL, and the (+) join marker in older code |
| BigQuery and Snowflake | Backticked project paths in BigQuery, QUALIFY and semi-structured data paths in Snowflake |
If a query will not format, the usual cause is a dialect mismatch, so switch the dialect and try again.
SQL Minifier: Compress a Query
Minify does the opposite of format. It removes line breaks, extra spaces and comments so the query sits on a single line. Use it when you need to paste SQL into a config field, a URL, a log search or a code string. String values inside quotes are never changed.
How to Format SQL in SSMS, VS Code and Other Editors
If you want formatting inside your editor, a few options exist. SQL Server Management Studio has no built in formatter in many versions, so people often use a plug in or paste into a tool like this one. In Visual Studio Code, install a SQL formatting extension, then run Format Document from the command palette. DBeaver and many other database clients also have a format command in their menus. For a quick fix on any device, an online SQL formatter is the fastest way.
Common SQL Formatting Problems and Fixes
- The formatter shows an error. Check for a missing closing bracket or quote, or a missing comma between columns. Try the dialect that matches your database.
- Brackets or backticks changed. Pick the right dialect so [name] and `name` are treated as quoted identifiers.
- Comments moved. Line comments that start with two dashes run to the end of the line, so keep them on their own line to avoid ambiguity.
- Very long IN lists. Format puts values on new lines, which is easier to read, but you can minify to shorten them again.
- Strings look different. The tool never edits text inside quotes, so a change there means the quote was not closed.
Is My SQL Query Safe to Paste Here?
The formatting happens in your browser. Your SQL is not uploaded, stored or executed, and the tool does not connect to any database. Even so, remove passwords, API keys and personal data from queries before you share them with anyone.
More Free Developer and Text Tools
Tidy markup in the same way with the XML Formatter or the JSON Formatter. Check what changed between two versions of a query with the Text Compare tool, count the lines with the Word Counter, or switch keywords between upper and lower case with the Case Converter.
FAQs
How do I format a SQL query online?
Paste your query into the input box, choose your dialect, indent size and keyword case, and click Format. Each clause moves to its own line and nested parts are indented. Then copy the result or download it as a .sql file. The query logic is unchanged, only the layout and keyword case.
What is a SQL beautifier?
A SQL beautifier is a tool that rewrites a query with line breaks, indentation and consistent keyword case so people can read it. It does not change what the query does. It is also called a SQL formatter or SQL pretty printer, and the terms are used for the same job.
Does the formatter run my query or connect to my database?
No. It only reads the text you paste and rearranges the layout, in your browser. It does not connect to a database, run the SQL or check that tables and columns exist. This also means it cannot tell you whether the query is correct for your schema.
Which SQL dialects are supported?
You can choose Standard SQL, MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server (T-SQL), SQLite, Oracle PL/SQL, BigQuery or Snowflake. Choosing your dialect lets the formatter handle quoting, casts and special keywords correctly. If a query fails to format, try a different dialect before you look for a syntax error.
Should SQL keywords be uppercase or lowercase?
Both work, because SQL keywords are not case sensitive. Many teams use uppercase keywords so they stand out from table and column names, while others prefer lowercase for easy typing. Pick one style and use it everywhere. The tool lets you set uppercase, lowercase or keep what you typed.
Can I minify SQL to one line?
Yes. Click Minify to remove line breaks, extra spaces and comments, leaving the query on a single line. Text inside quotes is not changed. This is handy when you must put a query into a configuration field, a log search or a string in code.
How do I format SQL in SSMS or VS Code?
In VS Code, install a SQL formatting extension and run Format Document. In SSMS, many versions have no built in formatter, so people use a plug in or paste the query into an online formatter and copy it back. DBeaver and similar clients have their own format commands in the menu.
Is it safe to paste a query with real data?
The formatting happens in your browser and your SQL is not sent to a server or saved. It is still good practice to remove passwords, tokens and personal data from queries before you share them in tickets, chats or screenshots, whatever tool you use.
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Open the toolReady to tidy your SQL?
Go back to the formatter, paste your query and press Format SQL.
Use the tool