SQL Formatter

What is SQL Formatter?

SQL Formatter takes raw or minified SQL queries and applies consistent indentation, keyword capitalization, and line breaks to make them readable. It supports major SQL dialects including PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, Microsoft SQL Server, and BigQuery. The formatter handles complex constructs like Common Table Expressions (CTEs), window functions, subqueries, and CASE statements with proper nesting depth.

Database administrators optimizing queries, data analysts writing complex reports, and backend developers reviewing ORM-generated SQL for performance. The tool runs entirely in your browser — your data never leaves your device.

How to Use SQL Formatter

1. Paste your raw SQL query into the input editor on the left panel
2. Select your SQL dialect from the dropdown — PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, or others
3. Choose your formatting preferences — keyword case, indentation width, and comma position
4. Review the formatted output with syntax highlighting in the right panel
5. Copy the formatted SQL to clipboard or use the minify toggle for compact output

Common Use Cases

• Formatting auto-generated ORM queries from Django, SQLAlchemy, or Prisma for review
• Cleaning up one-liner SQL from application logs before sharing in code review comments
• Standardizing SQL style across a team by applying consistent formatting conventions
• Making complex analytical queries with multiple CTEs and JOINs readable for documentation
• Preparing SQL examples for technical blog posts and developer tutorials

Pro Tips

• Place commas at the beginning of lines (leading commas) when formatting SELECT columns — this makes it easier to comment out or add columns without trailing comma errors
• Always format CTEs (WITH clauses) with each CTE on its own indented block — this dramatically improves readability for multi-CTE analytical queries
• If your query uses dialect-specific syntax like PostgreSQL LATERAL joins or MySQL-specific keywords, select the correct dialect to avoid misformatting

Why Use This Tool?

• Privacy-first: All processing happens locally in your browser. No data is transmitted to any server.
• No installation required: Works in any modern browser on desktop or mobile.
• Completely free: No account, no credit card, no usage caps.
• Fast and reliable: Powered by modern Web APIs for near-instant results.

Related Concepts

Learn more about related topics: Common Table Expression, Window functions, Query optimizer, SQL dialect.

Frequently Asked Questions