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SQL Formatter

Format and beautify SQL queries with proper indentation, keyword uppercasing, and syntax highlighting.

Formatted SQL

Formatted SQL will appear here...

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Frequently Asked Questions

What SQL dialects does this formatter support?
This formatter handles standard ANSI SQL syntax including SELECT, FROM, WHERE, JOIN (INNER, LEFT, RIGHT, FULL, CROSS), GROUP BY, HAVING, ORDER BY, LIMIT, UNION, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE, CREATE TABLE, and ALTER TABLE. The formatting rules apply consistently across MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, SQLite, and Oracle SQL dialects.
Does the formatter change my SQL logic?
No. The formatter only changes whitespace, indentation, and keyword casing. It does not modify your SQL logic, table names, column names, values, or query structure. The formatted query is semantically identical to the original and will produce the same results when executed.
Should SQL keywords be uppercase or lowercase?
There is no strict rule, but the majority of SQL style guides recommend uppercase keywords (SELECT, FROM, WHERE) for readability. This convention helps distinguish SQL keywords from table names, column names, and other identifiers at a glance. Our formatter defaults to uppercase keywords, which is the most widely adopted convention.
How should I indent SQL queries?
The most common convention uses each major clause (SELECT, FROM, WHERE, JOIN, GROUP BY, ORDER BY) on its own line, with continuation lines indented by 2 or 4 spaces. Column lists in SELECT are typically indented under the first column, and JOIN conditions are indented under the JOIN keyword.
Can I format multiple SQL statements?
Yes. Separate multiple SQL statements with semicolons and the formatter will handle each statement independently. Each statement will be formatted with proper indentation and a clear visual separation between them.
Is my SQL data sent to a server?
No. All SQL formatting happens entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Your SQL queries never leave your device, which is important for confidential database queries that may contain sensitive table names, column names, or business logic.

How to Use the SQL Formatter

Well-formatted SQL queries are easier to read, review, and maintain. Whether you are debugging a complex multi-join query, reviewing a colleague's pull request, or preparing SQL for documentation, our free online SQL formatter transforms messy queries into clean, properly indented SQL in one click.

Step 1: Paste your SQL. Copy your SQL query from your IDE, database client, or log file and paste it into the input field. The formatter accepts any SQL query regardless of its current formatting, including single-line queries, queries with inconsistent indentation, and minified SQL strings from ORM logs.

Step 2: Click Format. The formatter parses your SQL and applies consistent formatting rules: major clauses on separate lines, proper indentation for column lists and conditions, uppercase keywords, and clean alignment. The result is immediately displayed and ready to copy.

Step 3: Copy the formatted SQL. Use the copy button to copy the formatted SQL to your clipboard. Paste it back into your IDE, share it in a code review, or include it in documentation. The formatted SQL is semantically identical to your original query.

Why Format SQL Queries?

Readable SQL queries are a cornerstone of maintainable database code. When queries are properly formatted, developers can quickly identify the tables being queried, understand the join relationships, review filter conditions, and verify the correct columns are selected. Unformatted SQL, especially complex queries with multiple joins and subqueries, can be extremely difficult to parse visually.

Consistent SQL formatting is also important for code reviews and version control. When all team members format their SQL the same way, diffs in version control show only meaningful changes rather than formatting differences. This makes code reviews faster and more focused on logic changes rather than style issues.

SQL Formatting Best Practices

One clause per line. Each major SQL clause (SELECT, FROM, WHERE, JOIN, GROUP BY, HAVING, ORDER BY, LIMIT) should start on its own line. This makes the query structure immediately visible and allows you to scan the query vertically to understand its components.

Indent continuation lines. When a clause spans multiple lines (like a SELECT with many columns or a WHERE with multiple conditions), indent the continuation lines consistently. This visually groups related elements and shows the hierarchical structure of the query.

Uppercase keywords. Using uppercase for SQL keywords (SELECT, FROM, WHERE, JOIN, ON, AND, OR) is the most widely adopted convention in the industry. It provides immediate visual distinction between SQL syntax and your data model identifiers.

Align join conditions. When using multiple JOINs, align the JOIN keywords and indent the ON conditions consistently. This makes it easy to see the relationship chain between tables and quickly identify the join columns.

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