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SQL Formatter & Minifier

Pretty-print or minify SQL for several dialects, all locally in your browser.

Maintained by BrowserTools · Last updated 2026-06-21

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A well-formatted SQL query is far easier to read, review, and debug than the single dense line that an ORM or a quick copy-paste often produces. This formatter takes any SQL statement and re-indents it with consistent keyword casing, line breaks before major clauses, and aligned lists, so a sprawling SELECT with half a dozen joins becomes something you can actually follow. When you need the opposite, the minifier collapses all the whitespace into a single line, which is convenient for embedding a query in a config file, a log message, or a one-line shell command.

Frequently asked questions

Are my SQL queries uploaded to a server?
No. All formatting and minifying is done locally in your browser with a bundled library. Your queries, including any embedded values, table names, or schema details, are never transmitted anywhere, which makes the tool safe to use with production and confidential SQL.
Which SQL dialects does it support?
You can choose Standard SQL, PostgreSQL, MySQL, or SQLite. The dialect setting changes how the formatter recognises identifiers, functions, and engine-specific keywords, which produces cleaner results than a one-size-fits-all formatter, especially for vendor extensions.
What is the difference between Format and Minify?
Format reflows the query with indentation, line breaks before major clauses, and consistent keyword styling so it is easy to read. Minify does the opposite: it collapses all runs of whitespace and newlines into single spaces, producing a compact one-line version that is handy for config files or logs.
Will formatting change what my query does?
No. Formatting only changes whitespace and layout, not the logic of the statement, so the formatted query is functionally identical to the original. The same is true of minifying, which only removes redundant whitespace and never alters string literals or identifiers.
Can it handle multiple statements at once?
Yes. You can paste several statements separated by semicolons and the formatter will lay each one out individually. This is useful for tidying up a migration script or a batch of queries before committing them to version control.
Why did I get a parse error?
The formatter reports an error when the input is not valid SQL it can understand, for example a truncated statement, a mismatched parenthesis, or syntax from a dialect that is not selected. Check that the statement is complete and that the chosen dialect matches your database engine.
Does the minifier preserve string literals and comments?
The minifier collapses whitespace across the whole input, which keeps the characters inside quoted string literals intact but will also flatten any line comments onto the same line. If your query relies on dash-dash line comments, use Format instead, or remove the comments before minifying.
Does it work offline?
Yes. The formatting engine is bundled into the page, so after the first load there are no further network requests and the tool runs entirely on your machine, even with no internet connection.

About SQL Formatter & Minifier

The tool understands several SQL dialects because the rules are not identical across engines. Standard SQL covers the common ANSI syntax, while the PostgreSQL, MySQL, and SQLite options adjust how identifiers, functions, and dialect-specific keywords are recognised. Pick the dialect that matches your database, paste your statement, and click Format to reflow it or Minify to compress it. The output sits in a read-only box with a one-click copy button so you can drop the result straight back into your editor.

Formatting and minifying both happen entirely inside your browser using a bundled JavaScript library, with no network calls at any point. Your queries, including any table names, column names, or literal values they contain, never leave your device. That makes the tool safe for production schemas and sensitive data, and it keeps working offline once the page has loaded.

SQL is older than you think

SQL traces back to the early 1970s at IBM, where it grew out of research into Edgar Codd's relational model. The language was originally called SEQUEL, short for Structured English Query Language, and that is why many engineers still pronounce it 'sequel' today. The name was later shortened to SQL for trademark reasons, but the spoken form stuck.

SQL became an ANSI standard in 1986 and an ISO standard in 1987, and it has been revised many times since, adding window functions, common table expressions, JSON support, and more. Despite the shared standard, every major database adds its own extensions and quirks, which is exactly why a formatter benefits from knowing which dialect it is looking at.

That divergence is also why the same query can format slightly differently depending on the engine you target. Backtick-quoted identifiers are normal in MySQL but invalid in PostgreSQL, and functions like NOW or GETDATE differ across vendors. A dialect-aware formatter respects those differences instead of mangling them, which keeps the reflowed query both readable and correct for your specific database.

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