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    XML Formatter & Beautifier

    Format, beautify, or minify XML instantly. Paste your XML and get clean, indented output.

    Free to use. Runs in your browser.

    Paste XML and click Format to pretty-print it with indented elements and line breaks. Click Minify to compress it to a single line.

    Use it to make nested XML, SOAP, SVG, RSS, and config files easier to inspect.

    XML: Still Everywhere in 2025

    XML might feel like a relic from the 2000s, but it is still deeply embedded in current development. Android manifests are XML. RSS feeds are XML. SOAP APIs are still widely used in finance and healthcare. SVG images are XML. Maven and Gradle configs use XML. If you work with enterprise software, you'll encounter XML regularly.

    Unformatted XML, a single line of nested tags, is virtually impossible to debug. This formatter adds proper indentation, line breaks, and consistent spacing so you can see the document structure at a glance. Paste messy XML, get clean output.

    Everything runs in your browser. Your XML data never leaves your device, important when you're formatting API responses that contain production data.

    XML vs JSON: When to Use What

    FeatureXMLJSON
    ReadabilityVerbose but self-documentingCompact, easier to scan
    Schema validationXSD, DTD (long-established)JSON Schema (newer, less adopted)
    AttributesSupported (id="123")No concept of attributes
    NamespacesFull namespace supportNo namespaces
    Comments<!-- comments -->Not supported
    Parsing speedSlower (DOM/SAX parsing)Faster (native in JS)
    Industry adoptionEnterprise, config, document markupWeb APIs, mobile, current apps

    What this means for you: Use JSON for new APIs and web apps. Use XML when interacting with enterprise systems, Android development, RSS feeds, or any system that requires schemas and namespaces. Both formats will coexist for decades.

    Common XML Tasks

    Debugging SOAP APIs

    SOAP request and response bodies are XML. Format them to see the envelope, header, body, and fault elements clearly. Most SOAP errors are buried in deeply nested XML, formatting makes them visible.

    Reading Android manifests

    AndroidManifest.xml defines activities, permissions, and services. As apps grow, the manifest gets complex. Formatted XML shows the structure clearly and makes permission audits straightforward.

    Editing SVG images

    SVG files are XML. Format them to edit paths, colours, viewBox attributes, and groups manually. A single-line SVG from an export is uneditable, formatted SVG is just readable markup.

    Config file management

    Maven pom.xml, .NET web.config, and many CI/CD tools use XML configs. Formatted XML makes it easy to add dependencies, modify settings, and review changes in version control.

    Where You'll Encounter XML

    ContextFile/FormatWhat It Contains
    AndroidAndroidManifest.xmlApp permissions, activities, services
    Java/Mavenpom.xmlDependencies, build config, plugins
    RSS/Atomfeed.xmlBlog posts, podcast episodes
    SVG images.svgVector graphics as XML markup
    .NETweb.config, .csprojServer config, project settings
    SOAP APIsWSDL, request/responseEnterprise API contracts and payloads

    Worked Example: Reading a SOAP Fault

    A payment integration returns a SOAP response that is one long line. The request failed, but the useful message is buried inside nested Envelope, Body, and Fault elements.

    1. Format the response

    The Envelope, Header, Body, and Fault sections become visible. The fault is no longer hidden between dozens of tags.

    2. Read faultcode and faultstring

    The code says authentication failed, while the detail element names the missing merchant ID field.

    3. Check namespaces

    The response uses prefixes such as soap: and xsi:. Formatting preserves those prefixes.

    4. Validate separately

    Formatting makes the fault readable. XSD validation is still needed if the question is whether the response follows the official contract.

    XML Syntax Rules That Matter

    RuleExampleCommon failure
    One root element<feed>...</feed>Two top-level siblings in a full document
    Case-sensitive tags<Item></Item>Opening with Item and closing with item
    Quoted attributesid="123"Attributes without quotes
    Escaped textTom &amp; AishaRaw ampersands in text nodes
    Closed empty tags<br />HTML-style optional closing behaviour

    Formatting SVG, RSS, and Config XML

    SVG files

    Formatting an SVG can reveal groups, paths, gradients, and viewBox settings. Be careful when editing path data, because a single character can alter the shape.

    RSS and Atom feeds

    Formatting a feed makes item titles, links, GUIDs, published dates, and enclosure tags easier to inspect when a reader or podcast app rejects the feed.

    Build config files

    Maven POMs, .NET config, and some CI files can become deeply nested. Formatting makes dependency blocks and profiles easier to review in version control.

    API payloads

    SOAP and enterprise APIs often return long payloads with namespaces. Formatting helps you find the business fields without changing the payload content.

    XML Review Checklist

    • Check the root element. A full XML document needs one top-level wrapper.
    • Scan namespace declarations. Missing or wrong namespace URLs can break SOAP and schema validation.
    • Look for raw ampersands. Text values need &amp; when an ampersand is part of the data.
    • Validate with the right schema. Formatting shows structure, but XSD or DTD validation checks the rules.
    • Keep sensitive payloads local. API responses can contain personal data, tokens, or account IDs. Redact them before sharing formatted XML.

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    How to use this tool

    1

    Paste your XML into the input area

    2

    Click Format for readable indented output, or Minify to compress

    3

    Copy the result to your clipboard

    Common uses

    • Debugging SOAP API request and response payloads
    • Reading Android manifest and layout XML files
    • Formatting SVG images for manual editing
    • Cleaning up Maven pom.xml and config files

    Share this tool

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is XML?
    XML (Extensible Markup Language) is a markup language for storing and transporting structured data. It uses opening and closing tags with attributes, similar to HTML but with strict syntax rules. XML is self-describing, the tags define what the data means.
    Is XML uploaded anywhere?
    No. Formatting happens locally in your browser using JavaScript. The XML you paste is not uploaded by the formatter.
    Can I minify XML too?
    Yes. Click 'Minify' to remove all whitespace, newlines, and indentation from your XML. This produces the smallest possible representation while keeping the document valid. Useful for reducing payload size in API requests.
    What's the difference between XML and JSON?
    XML uses tags and attributes, supports schemas and namespaces, and allows comments. JSON is lighter, natively parsed in JavaScript, and common in current web APIs. XML is still standard in enterprise systems, SOAP APIs, Android development, and document markup like SVG.
    Why does my XML need formatting?
    Unformatted XML, a single line of nested tags, is virtually impossible to debug. Proper indentation reveals the document structure, makes nesting relationships visible, and helps you spot missing closing tags or misplaced elements instantly.
    Does formatting change the XML data?
    No. Formatting only adds or removes whitespace between tags. The actual data, tag names, attributes, and document structure remain identical. The formatted and minified versions are semantically equivalent.
    How do I validate XML?
    This tool formats XML but doesn't validate against a schema. To validate, you need an XSD (XML Schema Definition) or DTD (Document Type Definition) validator. For quick checks, try pasting into an XML validator or use xmllint on the command line.
    What causes 'not well-formed' XML errors?
    Common causes: unclosed tags, mismatched case in tag names (XML is case-sensitive), unescaped special characters (& must be &amp;), missing root element, or attributes without quotes. Unlike HTML, XML has zero tolerance for syntax errors.
    Can I format SOAP XML responses?
    Yes. SOAP envelopes are standard XML. Paste the full SOAP response including the Envelope, Header, and Body elements. Formatting makes it easy to find fault codes, response data, and nested elements in complex SOAP payloads.
    How do I format SVG files?
    SVG files are valid XML. Paste your SVG code and click Format. This is especially useful for SVGs exported from design tools like Figma or Illustrator, which often output everything on a single line.
    What indent size should I use for XML?
    2 spaces is the most common convention. 4 spaces is also popular, especially in Java/Maven ecosystems. Tabs are less common in XML. The default 2-space indent balances readability with keeping deeply nested documents from scrolling too far right.
    Can I format XML with namespaces?
    Yes. The formatter handles namespace prefixes (xmlns:soap, xmlns:xsi) and prefixed elements (soap:Body, xsi:type) correctly. Namespaces are treated as regular attributes and preserved exactly as written.
    Can I format RSS and Atom feeds?
    Yes. RSS and Atom are XML formats. Formatting a feed can make channel metadata, item entries, GUIDs, dates, and enclosure tags much easier to inspect.
    Does formatting resolve XML entities?
    No. Entities such as &amp; and &lt; stay as written. The formatter changes whitespace around tags, not the encoded text content inside the XML.
    Why does XML need one root element?
    A well-formed XML document must have exactly one top-level root element. Multiple sibling roots can appear in copied fragments, but a full XML document needs one wrapper.
    Can I format XML copied from a network response?
    Yes. Copy the raw response body, paste it here, and format it to inspect nested status, fault, or payload fields. Check authentication and production data before sharing the result elsewhere.
    What should I check in SOAP responses?
    Look for the Envelope, Body, and any Fault element. Formatting makes it easier to read faultcode, faultstring, and the application-specific details nested inside the response.
    Does this validate against XSD?
    No. It formats and minifies XML text. To validate business rules, required elements, or data types, run the document against its XSD or DTD in a validator.
    Can I use it for Maven pom.xml files?
    Yes. Maven POM files are XML, and formatting can make dependencies, plugins, repositories, and build profiles easier to review before committing.
    Can I format .NET config files?
    Yes. web.config, app.config, and many project files are XML. Formatting can make nested settings, connection sections, and assembly references easier to inspect.
    What happens to XML comments?
    Formatting preserves comments and places surrounding tags on clearer lines. Minifying may remove whitespace around comments, so keep a readable source copy when comments carry useful context.
    Does XML care about uppercase and lowercase tags?
    Yes. XML is case-sensitive, so <Item> and <item> are different tags. Formatting does not change tag names or case.
    Can I format partial XML fragments?
    Yes. Fragments from logs or SOAP bodies can be formatted even when they are not full documents. A full document still needs one root element when you validate it.
    Can I minify XML for API payloads?
    Yes. Minifying removes whitespace between tags and can reduce payload size. Do not minify sections where whitespace inside text nodes is meaningful.

    Results are for general informational purposes only and should be checked before use. They are not professional advice. See our Disclaimer and Terms of Service.