CSS Formatter & Beautifier
Note: This formatter adds proper indentation and line breaks to make CSS more readable. Use our CSS Minifier if you need to compress CSS for production.
About CSS Formatter
CSS formatting makes your stylesheets more readable by adding proper indentation, line breaks, and spacing. Well-formatted CSS is easier to maintain, debug, and collaborate on. This tool beautifies messy or minified CSS by organizing rules with consistent indentation, adding spaces after colons and commas, and separating rule sets with line breaks. It's perfect for developers working with minified CSS or who need to improve code readability. All formatting happens in your browser for complete privacy.
How to Use
- Paste or type your CSS into the input field.
- The tool will automatically format your CSS after a brief pause.
- Click "Format" to manually trigger formatting.
- Adjust the indent size (2, 4, or 8 spaces) to match your preferences.
- Click "Copy" to copy the formatted CSS to your clipboard.
- Use the formatted CSS in your projects for better readability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CSS formatting?
CSS formatting, also known as beautifying or pretty-printing, is the process of adding indentation, line breaks, and whitespace to CSS code to make it more readable and maintainable. It organizes declarations with consistent spacing and makes the stylesheet structure clear.
When should I format CSS?
Format CSS during development and debugging when readability matters. If you're working with minified CSS from production or third-party sources, formatting it makes it easier to understand and modify. Well-formatted CSS is essential for code reviews, maintenance, and team collaboration.
Will formatting change how my CSS works?
No! Formatting only adds whitespace and line breaks which browsers completely ignore. Your CSS will function identically before and after formatting. The visual appearance and behavior of your styled elements will not change.
Can I customize the indentation?
Yes! Use the "Indent" dropdown to choose between 2, 4, or 8 spaces per indentation level. This allows you to match your team's coding standards or personal preferences for consistent formatting across your project.
Does this tool validate CSS?
This is a formatting tool, not a validator. It will try to format any CSS you provide by adding whitespace and structure, but it doesn't check for valid CSS syntax or browser compatibility. For validation, use browser developer tools or dedicated CSS validators.
How does this differ from minification?
Formatting adds whitespace, indentation, and line breaks to improve readability (for development). Minification removes whitespace to reduce file size (for production). They're opposites—use our CSS Minifier when you need to compress CSS for production use.
Can I format CSS from Sass or Less?
Yes! After compiling your Sass or Less to CSS, you can format the output to match your preferred style. This tool works with standard CSS syntax—it won't process Sass or Less syntax directly.
What about vendor prefixes and media queries?
The formatter handles vendor prefixes (-webkit-, -moz-, etc.) and media queries just like regular CSS rules. They'll be formatted with proper indentation and spacing to maintain readability.
Is my CSS secure?
Yes! All CSS formatting happens entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Your CSS is never sent to any server, ensuring complete privacy. The tool works offline once loaded.