YAML Formatter

Stop struggling with indentation errors in your configuration files. Our free online YAML formatter instantly cleans up messy code, ensuring consistent spacing and improved readability for your project files.

Input

Output

Indentation:

How to use the YAML Formatter

Paste your YAML code into the input field or drag and drop your file.
Configure your settings by selecting your preferred indentation level (e.g., 2 spaces).
Click Format to instantly beautify your configuration code.
Copy the result to your clipboard or download the formatted file for use in your project.

Best Practice

Always use spaces instead of tabs in YAML. Most linters will throw an error if tabs are detected.

YAML Formatter Features

Customizable Indentation: Choose between 2 spaces, 4 spaces, or tabs to match your team's style guide.
Syntax Validation: Automatically detects structural errors in your YAML while formatting.
Instant Processing: Real-time formatting as you paste or adjust settings.
Large File Support: Efficiently handles complex YAML files used in Kubernetes or CI/CD pipelines.
One-Click Copy: Quickly move your cleaned-up code back into your development environment.

Did You Know?

YAML is a superset of JSON, meaning most valid JSON files are also valid YAML files.

Why use an online YAML Formatter?

Avoid Syntax Errors: YAML is highly sensitive to whitespace; a single extra space can break a deployment.
Enhanced Readability: Nested structures in large configuration files are easier to navigate when properly indented.
Team Consistency: Ensure all developers on your team are using the same formatting standards for project configurations.
Easier Debugging: Clearer visual hierarchy makes it faster to spot configuration mistakes in complex environments like Kubernetes.

What is YAML?

YAML (YAML Ain't Markup Language) is a human-friendly data serialization standard that is commonly used for configuration files. Its minimalist design makes it easy for humans to read and write, but its reliance on indentation makes it prone to errors. It is the industry standard for tools like Docker, Kubernetes, and GitHub Actions, where precise formatting is critical for functionality.

Tip

Use a linter like yamllint to catch semantic errors that formatting alone might not fix.

Integrating YAML Formatting into your Workflow

IDE Extensions: Use the YAML extension by Red Hat in VS Code for real-time linting and formatting.
CLI Tools: Integrate prettier or yamllint into your pre-commit hooks to catch errors before they reach your repository.
CI/CD Integration: Add a formatting check step in your GitHub Actions or GitLab CI to maintain code quality automatically.
Project Config: Define a .prettierrc file in your root directory to share formatting rules across your entire team.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does this tool support multi-document YAML files? A: Yes, the formatter correctly handles files containing multiple documents separated by three dashes (---).

Q: Is my data secure when using the Codemata YAML formatter? A: Absolutely. Our tools process your code locally in your browser, meaning your configuration data is never sent to our servers.

Q: Why is my YAML file failing to format? A: YAML is strict about indentation. Ensure you aren't mixing tabs and spaces, as this is a common cause of syntax errors that prevent formatting.

Q: Can I use this for Kubernetes manifest files? A: Yes, this is ideal for cleaning up Kubernetes K8s manifests, Docker Compose files, and CI/CD configurations.

Best Practice

Stick to a 2-space indentation rule; it is the most widely accepted standard in the DevOps community.

Related Developer Tools

JSON Formatter

Markdown Formatter

XML Formatter

External Resources

Official YAML Specification - Detailed documentation on the YAML language.
Yamllint Documentation - A tool for checking YAML files for syntax validity.
Prettier YAML Guide - How to use Prettier to format your YAML files.