Does the formatter convert tabs to spaces?

Yes. Selecting a space-based indent option will convert any existing tabs to the chosen number of spaces.

What indent size is most common in HTML?

Two spaces is the most widely used in modern web development. Google's HTML/CSS Style Guide recommends 2-space indentation.

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Format HTML with Proper Indentation

Proper indentation is the single biggest factor in HTML readability. FixTools formats your HTML with correct, consistent indentation for every nested element — paste your code, pick your indent size, and get properly structured output instantly.

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2-space and 4-space indent options

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Correctly indents all nested elements

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Handles deeply nested tables and lists

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How to use this tool

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Paste your HTML, choose your indent width, and click Format. Every nested element will be indented one level deeper than its parent.

How It Works

Step-by-step guide to format html with proper indentation:

1
Paste your HTML
Paste the HTML with inconsistent indentation into the input panel.
2
Select indent size
Choose 2-space or 4-space indentation.
3
Format
Click Format. Every child element is indented one level deeper than its parent, consistently throughout the document.
4
Copy the indented HTML
Copy and paste the properly indented code back into your editor.

Real-world examples

Common situations where this approach makes a real difference:

Fixing indentation after a merge conflict

Resolving a merge conflict in HTML often destroys indentation. Format the resolved file to restore proper nesting before committing.

Converting tabs to spaces

A file with tab-based indentation needs to be converted to 2-space before joining a project that enforces spaces. The formatter handles the conversion automatically.

When to use this guide

Use this when your HTML has inconsistent or missing indentation that makes the nesting structure impossible to follow at a glance.

Pro tips

Get better results with these expert suggestions:

2 spaces for web projects, 4 for docs

Two-space indentation is standard in most modern front-end projects. Four-space is often preferred in documentation and tutorials for better visual clarity.

Watch deeply nested tables

HTML tables inside divs can produce 6–8 levels of indentation. Consider breaking very deep structures into components to keep indentation manageable.

Tab vs space consistency matters

Always use spaces (not tabs) for HTML indentation in shared projects. Mixtures of the two cause editors to render wildly different visual indentation widths.