Add the text, code or data.
01Developer toolFormatted output
CSS Formatter
Beautify or minify CSS with clean indentation.
100% FreeRuns instantlyNo watermark
- 1Paste inputAdd the text, code or data.
- 2AdjustChoose formatting or generation options.
- 3RunProcess everything in the browser.
Private by designProcessed on your device where possible.
Works on any deviceDesktop, tablet and mobile browsers.
No installationOpen the page and start working.
Always free coreUse the free plan for everyday tasks.
How to use CSS Formatter
Choose formatting or generation options.
02Process everything in the browser.
03Copy or download the clean result.
04Your files stay private
Your work is processed locally in your browser where possible and is never added to a Vootkit upload library.
Learn more about privacyMinified CSS is one line of a few hundred kilobytes, and understanding what a rule does — or finding the one overriding your change — starts with getting it back into a readable shape.
What CSS Formatter does
Expands minified CSS into indented rules, and minifies it back for production.
Formatting also makes specificity visible. Most "my CSS is not applying" problems are a more specific selector elsewhere, and that is far easier to spot in formatted source.
What it does
| Format | One declaration per line, indented rules |
|---|---|
| Minify | Strips whitespace and the last semicolon |
| Preserves | Declaration order — which decides overrides |
| Media queries | Indented as blocks |
| Comments | Preserved when formatting |
| Runs | In your browser — nothing uploaded |
| Not | An optimiser — no unused-rule removal |
| Not | An autoprefixer |
Detailed steps
- Paste the CSS.
- Format to read and debug it.
- Minify for production, or let your build tool do it.
Worth knowing
When a rule is not applying, look for specificity before assuming a syntax error. An ID selector beats any number of classes, and an inline style beats both — so your carefully written class rule loses to something you have not looked at. Formatting the stylesheet is what lets you find the competing selector.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my CSS rule not applying?
Usually specificity. IDs beat classes, classes beat elements, and inline styles beat all of them; where specificity ties, the later rule wins. Formatting the file makes both the competing selector and the ordering visible.
Does it remove unused CSS?
No — it formats and minifies only. Removing unused rules needs a tool that can see your markup, since a class may be added by JavaScript at runtime.
Does it add vendor prefixes?
No. Use Autoprefixer in a build step for that; hand-written prefixes go stale as browser support changes.
Is minifying worth it?
For large stylesheets yes, though gzip already handles repeated whitespace well. The bigger win is usually removing rules you no longer use.
Is CSS Formatter free?
Yes. The Vootkit free plan includes 5 tool runs a day. Upgrade to Vootkit Pro for unlimited daily use, an ad-free workspace and saved workflows.
Are my files uploaded?
No. CSS Formatter runs entirely in your browser — your file is processed on your own device and never sent to a server. There is nothing for us to store or delete.
Do I need to install anything?
No. CSS Formatter works in any modern browser on desktop, tablet or phone. Open the page and start.
How often can I use it? Is there a daily limit?
On the free plan you get 5 tool runs a day. When you reach the limit you'll see a prompt to upgrade, and it resets the next day. Vootkit Pro removes the cap entirely for unlimited daily use.
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This tool processes everything locally in your browser. You can disconnect from the internet after the page loads and it will still work.