SQL Formatter: Format and Beautify SQL Queries Online

Make your SQL queries readable and professional with our free online SQL formatter. SQL (Structured Query Language) is used to communicate with databases, but long queries can become messy and hard to read. Our beautifier tool automatically adds proper indentation and line breaks to your SQL code, making it much easier to understand, debug, and maintain.

Simply paste your SQL query to instantly format it. Choose how keywords appear (UPPERCASE, lowercase, or Capitalize) and select your preferred indentation style (2 spaces, 4 spaces, or tabs). Need to save space? Use the minify option to compress your SQL into a single line. Works with all major database systems including MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, SQL Server, and Oracle. All formatting happens in your browser. 

Formatted SQL will appear here...

What is SQL?

SQL (Structured Query Language) is a standard language for managing and manipulating relational databases. It's used to query, insert, update, and delete data, as well as create and modify database structures.

Common SQL Statements:

  • SELECT: Query data from tables
  • INSERT: Add new records to tables
  • UPDATE: Modify existing records
  • DELETE: Remove records from tables
  • CREATE: Create new databases, tables, or views
  • ALTER: Modify database structures
  • DROP: Delete databases, tables, or views

Example:

Unformatted:

select u.id,u.name,u.email from users u inner join orders o on u.id=o.user_id where u.active=1 and o.total>100 order by o.created_at desc

Formatted:

SELECT u.id, u.name, u.email
FROM users u
INNER JOIN orders o ON u.id = o.user_id
WHERE u.active = 1
  AND o.total > 100
ORDER BY o.created_at DESC

Features:

  • Format/beautify SQL with custom indentation (2/4 spaces or tabs)
  • Minify SQL to reduce query size
  • Keyword casing options (UPPERCASE, lowercase, Capitalize)
  • Basic validation for balanced parentheses
  • Query statistics (size, keywords, compression ratio)
  • One-click copy to clipboard
  • 100% client-side - your queries never leave your browser

Supported SQL Dialects:

  • MySQL
  • PostgreSQL
  • SQLite
  • Microsoft SQL Server (T-SQL)
  • Oracle Database
  • Standard SQL (ANSI SQL)

Best Practices:

  • Use consistent keyword casing (UPPERCASE is most common)
  • Indent nested queries and subqueries for readability
  • Format SQL during development, minify for production
  • Always use meaningful table and column aliases
  • Keep SELECT statements on separate lines for clarity

Frequently Asked Questions

What SQL dialects does this formatter support? +

Our formatter supports standard SQL as well as MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, MariaDB, and Microsoft SQL Server syntax. It handles dialect-specific features like backtick identifiers (MySQL), dollar quoting (PostgreSQL), and bracket identifiers (SQL Server).

Should SQL keywords be uppercase or lowercase? +

Both are valid, but uppercase keywords (SELECT, FROM, WHERE) are the most common convention and improve readability by distinguishing keywords from table/column names. Our formatter lets you choose uppercase, lowercase, or preserve original casing based on your team's style guide.

How much indentation should I use for SQL? +

2 or 4 spaces are most common. 2 spaces keep queries compact while still readable; 4 spaces provide clearer visual hierarchy for complex nested queries. Tabs are also supported. Choose what matches your project's coding standards.

When should I minify SQL queries? +

Minify SQL for production applications where you're storing queries as strings, sending them over networks, or embedding them in code. Minified SQL removes unnecessary whitespace to reduce size. Keep formatted versions in your source code for maintainability.

Why is my SQL not formatting correctly? +

Common issues include: syntax errors in your SQL (missing quotes, unmatched parentheses), database-specific syntax not recognized by the standard parser, or dynamic SQL with placeholders. Try our MySQL or PostgreSQL specific formatters for better dialect support.