CSS Formatter

Turn compressed CSS into readable rules

A CSS formatter changes whitespace and indentation so selectors, declarations, and nested blocks are easier to scan. Paste CSS into the input and the formatted output updates automatically. In beautify mode, choose 2, 4, or 8 spaces, or use tabs, to control indentation. The formatter also offers a minify mode; selecting it takes you to the matching CSS minification page.

CSS rules pair a selector with declarations such as color: teal, while at-rules such as @media group or qualify stylesheet behavior. The W3C’s CSS Syntax Module Level 3 describes this structure. Formatting helps reveal that structure, but it does not decide whether a declaration is valid for your design or target browsers.

What the output does and does not change

Beautifying is a layout operation: it adds line breaks and indentation and normalizes presentation of CSS syntax. It is useful when a one-line bundle is difficult to review or a rule block needs to be inspected. It is not a style audit, compatibility check, property sorter, or automatic repair pass. Invalid input may produce an error instead of a useful result; correct the source before relying on the formatted text.

For example, .card{color:#333;margin:0 auto} can be expanded so the selector and each declaration occupy separate lines. The values remain the ones you supplied; the extra whitespace can increase the file’s character count.

Format a stylesheet or snippet

1. Paste CSS

   Use a stylesheet or a focused CSS snippet. If copying from a build output, make sure the selection does not include unrelated HTML, JavaScript, or template placeholders.

2. Choose indentation

   Select 2, 4, or 8 spaces, or tabs, to match your reading preference or project conventions. The output refreshes after input or option changes.

3. Inspect the structure

   Review selectors, declarations, and blocks such as @media. If the formatting exposes a missing brace or malformed declaration, fix the original source; formatting is not a validator.

4. Copy or download

   Copy the result or download the formatted CSS when the output is ready. Run your project’s own linting and build checks before committing a change.

Use beautify and minify for different tasks

Beautified CSS is convenient for reading and code review. Minified CSS removes whitespace to make a compact text representation. Choose the mode that matches your task, and review the result before using it in a production stylesheet.

CSS formatting questions

Before you reuse the output

• Formatting may add line breaks and spaces, so the result can be longer than minified input.
• Do not treat readable formatting as proof that the stylesheet parses correctly or renders as intended in every browser.
• For confidential source code, follow your organization’s handling rules before pasting it into an online tool.