What is HTML formatting?
HTML formatting takes messy, unindented, or minified HTML markup and transforms it into clean, readable code with proper indentation and line breaks. This tool handles nested tags, self-closing elements, and inline vs block formatting. Everything runs client-side in your browser.
What formatting does to your HTML
An HTML formatter parses your markup and re-prints it with consistent indentation, one nested element per level, so the structure of the document is visible at a glance. Minified or hand-edited HTML often runs tags together on a single line; formatting reveals which elements are nested inside which, making it far easier to spot an unclosed tag or a misplaced element.
Because the formatter understands HTML, it also normalises the layout of attributes and preserves the content of elements like pre and textarea where whitespace is significant.
Formatting versus minifying
Formatting adds whitespace for humans; minifying removes it for machines. In development you want readable, indented HTML; in production you serve minified HTML to reduce page weight and speed up loading. The two are opposites applied at different stages of the same workflow, and this tool does both.
Keeping formatting consistent
Agreeing on one indentation style across a team keeps diffs small and reviews focused on real changes rather than whitespace. Running a formatter automatically — in your editor on save, or in a pre-commit hook — removes the debate and guarantees every file follows the same shape.
How to format HTML
- 1Paste your HTML. Paste a full document or a fragment into the input panel.
- 2Click Format. The markup is re-indented with each nested element on its own level. Use Minify to compress it instead.
- 3Validate the structure. Use Validate to surface unclosed or mismatched tags before you ship.
- 4Copy the result. Copy the formatted or minified HTML back into your project.
Examples
Format run-together markup
Input
<ul><li>One</li><li>Two</li></ul>
Output
<ul> <li>One</li> <li>Two</li> </ul>
Minify for production
Input
<div> <p>Hello</p> </div>
Output
<div><p>Hello</p></div>
HTML elements to know
Common element types the formatter treats specially.
| Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Void (self-closing) | <br>, <img>, <input>, <hr>, <meta> |
| Whitespace-sensitive | <pre>, <textarea> |
| Block | <div>, <section>, <p>, <ul> |
| Inline | <span>, <a>, <strong>, <em> |
Frequently asked questions
Does formatting change how my page renders?+
No. It only adds or removes whitespace between tags. Content in whitespace-sensitive elements like <pre> is preserved, so the rendered output is unchanged.
Will it fix invalid HTML?+
It re-indents what you give it and can highlight unclosed or mismatched tags, but it will not invent missing tags for you. Fix the errors it surfaces, then format again.
What are void elements?+
Elements like <br>, <img>, and <input> that have no closing tag and cannot contain content. The formatter never adds a closing tag to them.
Should I minify HTML for production?+
Yes. Minified HTML is smaller and loads faster. Keep a formatted copy for development and serve the minified version to users.
Is my HTML uploaded?+
No. Formatting, minifying, and validation run entirely in your browser.
Is it free?+
Yes — free with no sign-up or limits.
Can I format just a fragment?+
Yes. You can paste a partial snippet, not only a full document — the formatter indents whatever markup you give it.