Convert Tabs to Spaces
Advanced tab-to-space converter with sorting, formatting & more
Statistics
Tab Width
Common Settings:
Output Format
Advanced Options
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What is Convert Tabs to Spaces?
Convert Tabs to Spaces is a code formatting tool that replaces tab characters with a specified number of space characters. This ensures consistent indentation across all editors and platforms, prevents mixed whitespace errors, and adheres to coding standards that mandate space-based indentation.
To convert in the other direction, use Convert Spaces to Tabs. If you have issue with blank lines, use Remove Empty Lines.
Features
Custom Tab Width
Set 2, 4, 8, or any number of spaces per tab.
Quick Presets
One-click buttons for 2, 4, and 8 spaces.
Code Standardization
Fix mixed tabs/spaces and standardize formatting.
Comparison Mode
View before and after side-by-side.
File Upload & Download
Process code files and save converted results.
100% Private
All processing happens locally in your browser.
Common Use Cases
Fix Python Indentation
Convert tab-indented Python code to 4 spaces to prevent IndentationError. Ensure consistent formatting across your entire Python project and team.
Style Guide Compliance
Convert code to meet team or industry style guides like Google Style Guide, Airbnb JavaScript, or PEP 8 that require space-based indentation.
Version Control Cleanup
Standardize whitespace before committing to Git/SVN. Prevent formatting conflicts and make diffs more readable by using consistent spacing.
Example: Convert to 4 Spaces
→console.log("Hello!");
}
console.log("Hello!");
}
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert tabs to 4 spaces?
Set 'Spaces per Tab' to 4 (the default setting) and paste your code. Each tab character will be replaced with exactly 4 space characters. This is the most common standard for Python, Java, C++, and many other languages.
What is the standard tab width for different languages?
Common standards: Python: 4 spaces, JavaScript/React: 2 spaces, Java/C#/C++: 4 spaces, Ruby: 2 spaces, Go: Uses tabs (not spaces), HTML/CSS: 2 spaces. Always check your project's .editorconfig or style guide for the correct setting.
Why should I use spaces instead of tabs?
Benefits of spaces: (1) Consistent appearance across all editors and viewers, (2) No spacing issues when copying code, (3) Works better in version control diffs, (4) Most coding standards (Google, Airbnb) require spaces, (5) Prevents mixed indentation errors.
How do I convert JavaScript code from tabs to 2 spaces?
Set 'Spaces per Tab' to 2 using the quick preset button or manual input. This follows common JavaScript style guides like Airbnb and Standard. Paste your JS code, and each tab will become 2 spaces.
Can I convert multiple files at once?
The tool processes one file at a time. For batch conversion, upload each file individually, convert it, and download the result. For large-scale conversions, consider using editor find-replace features or command-line tools.
Will this fix mixed tabs and spaces?
Yes! This tool converts ALL tab characters to spaces. If your file has mixed tabs/spaces (a common source of errors), converting all tabs to spaces will standardize your indentation and eliminate Python IndentationError and similar issues.
Is my code safe and private?
Yes, 100% safe. This tool runs entirely in your web browser using client-side JavaScript. Nothing you upload is ever sent to our servers or stored anywhere. Perfect for proprietary or sensitive source code.
Can I upload code files to convert?
Yes! Click the 'Upload' button to load code files (.py, .js, .html, .css, .java, .cpp, .txt, etc.) directly. Set your desired tab width (2, 4, or 8 spaces), then download the converted file with standardized spacing.
How can I verify the conversion worked?
Click the 'Compare' button to see your original code (with tabs) and converted code (with spaces) side-by-side. The statistics panel shows the exact number of tabs found and spaces added, making verification easy.
What if I need to convert back to tabs?
Use the Convert Spaces to Tabs tool (the reverse operation). However, make note of your spaces-per-tab setting before converting to ensure accurate reversal if needed.