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How It Works

1

Paste SQL

Paste your SQL query into the input area.

2

Format or Minify

Click Format for readable output or Minify to compress.

3

Copy Result

Copy the highlighted output with one click.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are common SQL formatting conventions?
Common SQL formatting conventions include placing major clauses (SELECT, FROM, WHERE, JOIN) on separate lines, indenting column lists and conditions, aligning keywords vertically, and using consistent casing. These practices make complex queries easier to read, review, and debug.
Why should SQL keywords be uppercase?
Uppercasing SQL keywords (SELECT, FROM, WHERE) is a widely adopted convention that visually separates SQL syntax from table and column names. This makes queries easier to scan, especially in code reviews or documentation. While SQL is case-insensitive for keywords, uppercase is the dominant convention in the industry.
How should subqueries be formatted?
Subqueries should be indented one level deeper than their parent query and enclosed in parentheses. Each clause within the subquery should follow the same formatting rules as a top-level query. This nesting makes the logical structure visible at a glance.
Does this tool support different SQL dialects?
This formatter handles standard SQL syntax that works across most database systems including PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server, Oracle, and SQLite. Dialect-specific extensions like PostgreSQL array syntax or MySQL backtick quoting are preserved as-is during formatting.
Does formatting SQL affect query performance?
No. SQL formatting is purely cosmetic and has zero impact on query execution. The database engine parses and optimizes the query regardless of whitespace or casing. Formatting is solely for human readability and code maintenance.
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About SQL Formatter

What this tool does

Formatter tools beautify and standardize code in JSON, SQL, CSS, HTML, JavaScript, XML, and YAML. They also minify code for production use, reducing file size by stripping whitespace and comments.

Why use this tool

Readable code is easier to debug. When you paste a minified JSON response or a one-line SQL query, formatting it with proper indentation reveals structure instantly. Conversely, minifying before deployment shaves kilobytes off your bundles.

How it works

The tool parses your input into an abstract syntax tree (or token stream), then serializes it back with consistent indentation, line breaks, and spacing rules. Minification does the reverse: it removes all non-essential whitespace.

Pro tip

Set your indent size to 2 spaces for JSON and JavaScript, 4 spaces for Python. These are the most widely used conventions and will minimize diff noise when collaborating.

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