Free XML Formatter & Beautifier Online
Format and beautify XML instantly in your browser — free, private, no uploads.
Input
Output
What Is an XML Formatter?
If you've ever pasted a SOAP response or opened a pom.xml and seen one giant unreadable line, you know the pain. XML (eXtensible Markup Language) is used for config files, SOAP APIs, RSS feeds, and document formats like Office Open XML. The W3C XML specification keeps the syntax minimal—great for machines, terrible for humans. This formatter adds proper indentation and line breaks so you can see the tag hierarchy at a glance. It uses the browser's DOMParser API, so nothing ever leaves your machine.
This tool parses your XML using the browser's built-in DOMParser and reformats it with consistent indentation. The result shows up in the output panel. Nothing is sent to a server, so it's safe to use with production data, API responses, or sensitive configuration. Use Minify to compress the output, or XML to JSON to convert to another format.
XML Formatting Examples
Minified or compact XML is hard to read; formatting reveals the structure. Telecom-themed examples:
Example 1: Subscriber record
Minified input:
Formatted output:
Example 2: Call records
Minified input:
Formatted output:
Click the Sample button above to load subscriber data into the editor.
How to Use This Tool
Paste or Upload
Copy your XML and paste it into the left editor. You can also click Upload to load a .xml file from your computer. The Sample button loads example data if you want to test things out.
Check the Output
The right panel shows the formatted XML with proper indentation. Valid XML gets reformatted; invalid XML will show an error. Use Minify to remove all whitespace and get a compact single-line version. For extracting specific values from large XML, the XPath tool works well alongside this.
Copy, Download, or Minify
Use Copy to put the result on your clipboard, Download to save it as a file, or Minify to remove all whitespace. For validation before or after formatting, use XML Validator.
How the Formatter Works
The tool uses the browser's DOMParser to parse your XML into a DOM tree. It then serializes the tree back with indentation applied between tags. The W3C XML spec treats whitespace between tags as insignificant in most cases, so the structure and content stay the same—only the formatting changes.
XML supports comments, unlike JSON. If your document has <!-- comments -->, they are preserved. For schema validation (XSD), use a dedicated schema validator; this tool checks well-formedness only. The W3C XML Schema spec defines XSD.
Where XML Formatting Helps
Most developers need a formatter when reading API responses. You send a request through Postman or curl, and the SOAP or REST response comes back as a single compressed line. Pasting it here makes nested elements and attributes visible immediately. For pulling out specific values, use the XPath tool.
Config files like pom.xml, web.config, or AndroidManifest.xml often have nested structures. Formatting them here gives you a consistent layout for pull requests or reviews. AI assistants like Microsoft Copilot can help generate XML schemas or templates, which you can format here before using. If you need to convert to JSON for modern APIs, use XML to JSON.
RSS and Atom feeds are XML. If your feed validator fails or a reader can't parse your feed, formatting here helps you spot the exact error. Running it through the XML Validator first can catch issues before anyone else sees them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my XML data private when I use this tool?
Yes, completely. Formatting runs in your browser using the built-in DOMParser. No data is sent to any server. Open your browser's Network tab while using the tool to confirm nothing is transmitted.
What about XML namespaces and prefixes?
Namespace declarations and prefixes are fully preserved. The formatter only adjusts whitespace, never structure. See the W3C XML Namespaces spec for the rules.
How do I convert XML to JSON?
Use the XML to JSON converter. It handles attributes, nested elements, and repeated nodes automatically.
Why does my XML show an error after formatting?
The formatter requires well-formed XML. Common issues: unclosed tags, missing quotes on attributes, or unescaped characters like &. Try the XML Validator for detailed line-by-line error reporting.
Can I format XHTML, SVG, or other XML-based formats?
Yes. XHTML, SVG, WSDL, and any other valid XML format will format correctly. The tool follows the W3C XML specification, so any well-formed XML input works.
Related Tools
For a deeper look at XML, the W3C XML specification defines the full syntax. MDN's DOMParser guide covers parsing XML in browsers. For JSON: json.org. For XPath queries: XPath 3.1. See also W3C XML and Postman.