Space to Tab Converter
Convert leading spaces to tabs (or tabs back to spaces) in code or text, based on a configurable spaces-per-tab setting.
Output
How to Use the Space to Tab Converter
Paste your code or text into the input box, set how many spaces should count as one tab (4 is the default), and choose a direction using the toggle. In "Spaces → Tabs" mode, every run of N leading spaces on each line is replaced with a single tab character, leaving the rest of the line untouched. In "Tabs → Spaces" mode, the conversion runs the other way — each leading tab character is expanded back into N spaces. Only leading (indentation) whitespace is converted; spaces or tabs elsewhere in a line are left alone.
Example
With "Spaces per Tab" set to 4 and Spaces → Tabs mode, a line indented with 8 leading spaces becomes a line indented with 2 tab characters, while the code on that line stays exactly the same.
Common Use Cases
- Converting a file to match your team's tabs-vs-spaces style guide.
- Preparing code to paste into an editor or linter with a specific indentation requirement.
- Cleaning up mixed indentation before committing code.
FAQs
- Does this affect non-indentation whitespace? No — only leading whitespace at the start of each line (indentation) is converted; spaces used elsewhere in a line, such as between words or arguments, are left untouched.
- What happens with mixed leading spaces and tabs? The tool processes the leading whitespace left to right, converting runs of spaces to tabs (or vice versa) while preserving any existing tabs and leftover spaces that don't make a full group.
- Can I convert in both directions? Yes — use the toggle to switch between Spaces → Tabs and Tabs → Spaces at any time using the same "spaces per tab" setting.