Input

Output

What is a .env File?

A .env file stores environment variables as simple KEY=VALUE pairs. It is used by frameworks like Node.js, Python, and Docker to configure application settings without hardcoding secrets into source code.

The .env Formatter normalizes spacing around =, removes trailing whitespace, preserves comments, and ensures consistent formatting — making environment files easier to read and review. This approach follows the Twelve-Factor App methodology for config management.

How to Use

1

Paste your .env content

Paste the contents of your .env file into the left editor, or click Upload to load a file.

2

Instant formatting

The formatter normalizes KEY=VALUE pairs, removes extra whitespace, and preserves comments starting with #.

3

Copy or download

Use the Copy button to copy the result, or Download to save it as a .env file.

Formatting Example

Example: Format a .env file

Unformatted input:

APP_NAME=MyApp
DB_HOST=localhost
DB_PORT=5432
DB_NAME=myapp_db


SECRET_KEY=abc123xyz
DEBUG=true
ALLOWED_HOSTS=localhost,127.0.0.1

Formatted output:

APP_NAME=MyApp

DB_HOST=localhost
DB_PORT=5432
DB_NAME=myapp_db

SECRET_KEY=abc123xyz
DEBUG=true
ALLOWED_HOSTS=localhost,127.0.0.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Should .env files be committed to git?

No. .env files typically contain secrets (API keys, passwords) and should be added to .gitignore. Commit a .env.example with placeholder values instead.

Are spaces allowed around the = sign?

It depends on the parser. Most dotenv libraries (Node.js, Python) support KEY = VALUE with spaces, but some do not. This formatter uses KEY=VALUE without spaces, which is the most widely compatible format.

Can I use quotes around values?

Yes. Values can be wrapped in single or double quotes: KEY="my value". Quotes are preserved by the formatter.

What happens with multiline values or complex .env files?

Most dotenv parsers support multiline values when the value is wrapped in double quotes and the newline is escaped with \n — for example PRIVATE_KEY="line1\nline2". The formatter preserves quoted multiline values as-is. For very complex files with heredoc-style syntax, we recommend testing the output before using it in production.

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