JavaScript Beautifier
Format and beautify JavaScript, TypeScript, and JSX code with customizable options.
Why I Built This JavaScript Beautifier
I spend a lot of time debugging production issues, and half the time the code I'm looking at is minified beyond recognition. Browser DevTools help, but sometimes I just need to paste code somewhere and actually read it. This beautifier exists because I got tired of squinting at one-liners and manually adding line breaks.
What This Tool Does
- Smart Formatting - Adds proper indentation, line breaks, and spacing automatically
- Brace Style Options - Whether you prefer same-line braces or Allman style, it's here
- JSX Support - React component code formats correctly without breaking
- Minification - Sometimes I need to go the other direction and compress code
- Size Comparison - Shows exactly how much the formatting changes file size
I use this alongside the Minifier for production builds and the JSON Formatter when debugging API responses.
Common Use Cases
- Debugging Minified Code - Turn production bundles into readable source
- Code Review - Format third-party code to understand what it does
- Learning - See how compressed library code actually works
- Consistency - Reformat code to match your project's style guide
- Documentation - Clean up code examples for docs or tutorials
Related Articles
- JavaScript Beautifier: Making Sense of Minified Code
- Code Minification: Complete Guide to Reducing File Size
Frequently Asked Questions
What is JavaScript beautification?
Beautification takes compressed or minified JavaScript and transforms it into readable code. Variables stay minified (like 'a' instead of 'userName'), but the structure becomes clear. You get proper indentation, line breaks after statements, and consistent spacing. It's not decompilation - you won't get original variable names back - but it makes the logic visible.
Does this support TypeScript?
Yes. The beautifier treats TypeScript as JavaScript and handles type annotations, interfaces, and generics correctly. It won't validate your types, but it will format them consistently. Same goes for TSX (TypeScript with JSX).
Is my code sent to a server?
No - everything runs in your browser using the js-beautify library. I work with proprietary code regularly, and I don't want to send it anywhere. Your JavaScript stays on your machine. Check the network tab if you want proof.
What's the difference between beautify and minify?
They're opposites. Beautify adds whitespace and formatting for readability. Minify removes it for smaller file sizes. Beautified code is typically 30-50% larger. Minified code is harder to read but loads faster. I use beautify for development and debugging, minify for production.
What brace style should I use?
Whatever your team uses. Seriously, consistency matters more than the specific style. "Collapse" puts braces on the same line as keywords (most common in JS). "Expand" puts them on new lines (Allman style). "End-expand" is a hybrid. Pick one and stick with it.