SQL Formatter & Beautifier

Free online SQL query formatter, beautifier, and minifier

Use this free SQL formatter to instantly beautify and format your SQL queries. Our SQL query formatter online adds proper indentation, capitalizes keywords, and provides syntax highlighting. Works as a SQL beautifier for MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, and Oracle. Format SQL online free — 100% client-side, your data never leaves your browser. 

Formatted SQL will appear here

SQL Formatting Quick Reference

Formatting Rules

KeywordsUppercase (SELECT, FROM)
ClausesNew line per clause
JOINsIndented on new lines
CommasAfter each column
AND/ORNew line, indented
SubqueriesIndented in parens

Keyboard Shortcuts

Ctrl+EnterFormat SQL
TabInsert indent
Ctrl+ASelect all
Ctrl+CCopy selection
Ctrl+VPaste SQL

SQL Query Examples — Click to Format

Click any SQL query below to load it into the formatter and see it beautifully formatted. These examples cover common SQL patterns across MySQL, PostgreSQL, and SQL Server.

SQL Query Description Type
SELECT id, name, email... FROM users WHERE... Basic SELECT with WHERE and ORDER BY SELECT
SELECT u.id, u.name... JOIN orders... JOIN with GROUP BY, HAVING, aggregates JOIN
SELECT p.product_name... LEFT JOIN... Multiple LEFT JOINs with filters JOIN
SELECT department, COUNT(*)... GROUP BY... Aggregate functions with GROUP BY Aggregate
SELECT... WHERE salary > (SELECT AVG...) Subquery in WHERE clause Subquery
WITH monthly_sales AS (SELECT...) CTE with window function CTE
SELECT... RANK() OVER (PARTITION BY...) Window functions with PARTITION BY Window
INSERT INTO users (name, email...) VALUES... Multi-row INSERT statement INSERT
UPDATE products SET price = price * 1.10... UPDATE with subquery in WHERE UPDATE
DELETE FROM audit_logs WHERE created_at... DELETE with date arithmetic DELETE
CREATE TABLE orders (id BIGINT PRIMARY KEY...) CREATE TABLE with constraints DDL
SELECT CASE WHEN salary >= 100000... CASE WHEN with GROUP BY CASE
SELECT a.author_name... JOIN books... JOIN reviews... Complex multi-JOIN with HAVING Complex
SELECT... SUM() OVER (... ROWS BETWEEN...) Running total with window frame Window

SQL Formatting Guide & Best Practices

Why Format SQL Queries?

Well-formatted SQL is a hallmark of professional database development. An SQL formatter transforms messy, hard-to-read queries into clean, structured code with proper indentation and consistent style. Here's why SQL formatting matters:

  • Readability: Formatted SQL is dramatically easier to read. Each clause on its own line with proper indentation makes complex queries understandable at a glance.
  • Debugging: When queries return unexpected results, formatted SQL makes it much easier to identify logic errors, misplaced conditions, and incorrect JOINs.
  • Code Reviews: Consistently formatted SQL speeds up code reviews and makes it easier for teammates to understand your queries.
  • Maintenance: Well-formatted SQL is easier to modify, extend, and maintain over time, especially for complex reporting queries.

SQL Formatting Conventions

Uppercase Keywords

The most widely adopted convention is to write SQL keywords in uppercase: SELECT, FROM, WHERE, JOIN, GROUP BY, ORDER BY. This visually distinguishes keywords from table and column names, making queries easier to scan.

One Clause Per Line

Each major SQL clause should start on its own line. This includes SELECT, FROM, WHERE, GROUP BY, ORDER BY, HAVING, LIMIT, and JOIN clauses. Conditions connected by AND / OR also get their own lines.

Consistent Indentation

Column lists, conditions, and subqueries should be indented to show their relationship to the parent clause. Most style guides recommend 2 or 4 spaces for indentation (never tabs in SQL).

Comma Placement

Two common styles exist: trailing commas (column1, column2,) and leading commas (,column1 ,column2). This tool uses trailing commas as they are the most common convention.

SQL Formatting Across Different Databases

MySQL

MySQL uses backtick quotes for identifiers (`table_name`), supports LIMIT for pagination, and has MySQL-specific functions like IFNULL(), GROUP_CONCAT(), and DATE_FORMAT(). This SQL formatter preserves all MySQL-specific syntax.

PostgreSQL

PostgreSQL uses double quotes for identifiers ("table_name"), supports LIMIT / OFFSET, type casting with ::, and advanced features like CTEs, window functions, and RETURNING clauses. All are properly handled by this formatter.

SQL Server (T-SQL)

SQL Server uses square brackets for identifiers ([table_name]), TOP instead of LIMIT, and T-SQL specific syntax. If you're looking for an SQL formatter for SSMS, this tool formats your queries before pasting them back into SQL Server Management Studio.

Oracle

Oracle uses double quotes for identifiers, ROWNUM or FETCH FIRST for row limiting, and Oracle-specific functions. This formatter handles Oracle's PL/SQL patterns including DECODE(), NVL(), and hierarchical queries.

SQL Formatting Tips for Teams

  • Establish a style guide: Agree on uppercase vs. lowercase keywords, indentation size, and comma placement. Consistency within a team is more important than any particular style.
  • Format before committing: Always format SQL before committing to version control. This prevents merge conflicts caused by whitespace differences.
  • Use consistent aliases: When aliasing tables, use meaningful abbreviations: users u, orders o, products p. Never use arbitrary single letters.
  • Break up complex queries: If a query is too long, consider using CTEs (WITH clause) to break it into readable, named sub-queries.
  • Comment complex logic: Add comments to explain non-obvious business logic, especially in WHERE clauses with multiple conditions.

SQL Formatter FAQ

What is a SQL formatter?

An SQL formatter (also called SQL beautifier or SQL pretty printer) is a tool that takes unformatted or messy SQL code and reformats it with proper indentation, line breaks, and keyword capitalization. This makes SQL queries significantly easier to read, debug, and maintain.

How do I format SQL online?

Paste your SQL query into the input area above and click the Format button. The SQL formatter online will instantly beautify your query with proper indentation, uppercase keywords, and clean line breaks. You can then copy the formatted result to your clipboard with one click.

Does this SQL formatter support MySQL and PostgreSQL?

Yes, this SQL query formatter supports all major SQL dialects including MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server (T-SQL), Oracle, and standard ANSI SQL. It handles dialect-specific syntax like backtick identifiers (MySQL), double-quoted identifiers (PostgreSQL), and square bracket identifiers (SQL Server).

Is my SQL data safe when using this formatter?

Yes, completely safe. This SQL beautifier online runs entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Your SQL queries are never sent to any server. All formatting happens locally on your device, making it safe for production queries and sensitive data.

What is the difference between SQL formatting and SQL minifying?

SQL formatting (beautifying) adds proper indentation, line breaks, and keyword capitalization to make SQL readable. SQL minifying does the opposite — it removes unnecessary whitespace and line breaks to create the most compact representation. Both preserve the query's functionality.

Can I use this SQL formatter with SSMS?

Yes! While SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) doesn't have built-in SQL formatting, you can use this online SQL formatter as a companion tool. Simply paste your SQL from SSMS, format it here, then copy the beautifully formatted result back into SSMS.

Does this tool uppercase SQL keywords?

Yes, by default the SQL code formatter converts SQL keywords to uppercase (SELECT, FROM, WHERE, JOIN, etc.) following the most common SQL style convention. You can toggle this option off if you prefer lowercase keywords.

Can I format SQL with subqueries and CTEs?

Absolutely. This SQL query formatter online handles complex SQL including nested subqueries, Common Table Expressions (CTEs with WITH), window functions, CASE expressions, and multi-table JOINs. It properly indents each nested level for maximum readability.

Is this SQL formatter free?

Yes, this SQL formatter online free tool is completely free to use with no signup, no limits, and no ads. It works offline after the initial page load and runs 100% in your browser.

What formatting options are available?

You can configure: indentation size (2 or 4 spaces), and keyword case (uppercase on/off). The formatter automatically handles line breaks, clause separation, JOIN alignment, and comma placement.