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YAML Formatter error
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⌃⏎ run · ⎋ clear · / focus input
// about this tool

YAML Formatter Online

Updated 2026-10-24

Beautify and re-indent YAML right in your browser. Paste YAML with inconsistent spacing or messy indentation into the editor and SnapTools returns clean, normalized output as you type, with configurable indent width and one-click copy or download. Nothing is uploaded: all formatting happens locally, so it's safe for config files and secrets.

YAML is indentation-sensitive, so a single misaligned line can break a whole file. This tool parses your document first (catching syntax errors immediately), then re-writes it with consistent spacing, so what you get back is guaranteed to parse the same way it did before, just easier to read.

// how to use

  1. 1 Paste or type your YAML into the input panel on the left; formatting starts as you type.
  2. 2 Open Settings to choose an indent width (2–4 spaces).
  3. 3 Read the clean, re-indented YAML on the right; invalid YAML shows an error instead.
  4. 4 Click Copy or Download to take the result with you.

// examples

Inconsistent indentation
Input
name: SnapTools
version:    2
tags:
- json
- free
Output
name: SnapTools
version: 2
tags:
  - json
  - free
Nested mapping
Input
name: SnapTools
owner:
  team: core
  active: true
Output
name: SnapTools
owner:
  team: core
  active: true

// common uses

Cleaning up inconsistent indentation in config files Reviewing Kubernetes manifests or CI pipeline definitions Normalizing YAML before committing it Debugging "why won't this YAML parse" issues

// faq

Is my YAML uploaded to a server?
No. Formatting runs entirely in your browser, so your data never leaves your machine, which is safe for config files, Kubernetes manifests, and CI pipelines.
Does it validate my YAML?
Yes. It parses the document first, so a syntax error is reported immediately instead of silently producing broken output.
Will it change my data, not just the formatting?
No. It parses the document into its underlying values and re-writes it, so the structure, keys, and values are preserved; only whitespace and indentation are normalized.
Can I use this for JSON to YAML instead?
Yes, but for that direction use the dedicated JSON to YAML converter; this tool expects YAML in and returns YAML out.
Why does it say my YAML is invalid?
The most common causes are inconsistent indentation, a missing colon after a key, or mixing tabs and spaces. YAML is indentation-sensitive, so fixing the reported line usually resolves it.

// works with your data

YAML to JSON JSON to YAML JSON Formatter SHA-256 Hash Generator Extract URLs Find & Replace

Use this via API

Get a free API key → 
curl -X POST https://thesnaptools.com/api/v1/tools/yaml-formatter \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"yaml":"name: SnapTools version: 2 tags: - json - free"}'