Convert Spaces to Tabs

Advanced space-to-tab converter with sorting, formatting & more

0 chars | 0 spaces

Statistics

Input Chars0
Spaces Found0
Tabs Added0
Output Chars0

Conversion Mode

Output Format

Advanced Options

Continue with Related Tools

Tabs to Spaces

Replace tabs with spaces.

Compact Code

Remove blank lines.

Trim Text

Clean up trailing spaces.

What is Convert Spaces to Tabs?

Convert Spaces to Tabs is a code formatting tool that replaces space characters with tab characters. This is essential for maintaining consistent code indentation, reducing file size, and adhering to coding standards that prefer tabs over spaces for code formatting.

Need to convert back to spaces? Use our Convert Tabs to Spaces tool. To clean up your code further, try Trim Text to remove trailing whitespace.

Features

Leading Spaces

Convert only indentation, preserve inline spaces.

Custom Tab Width

Set 2, 4, or any number of spaces per tab.

Multiple Modes

All spaces, leading only, or multiple consecutive.

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

Code Formatting

Convert Python, JavaScript, or any code from space-based indentation to tabs. Maintain consistent formatting across your codebase according to team standards.

File Size Reduction

Tabs are smaller than multiple spaces. Convert heavily indented code to tabs to reduce file size, especially beneficial for large codebases.

Editor Compatibility

Some text editors and IDEs work better with tabs. Convert your code to tabs for improved navigation and editing in tab-preferring environments.

Example: Convert Python Indentation

Input (4 Spaces)
def greet(name):
    if name:
        print(f"Hello {name}!")
Output (Tabs)
def greet(name):
→if name:
→→print(f"Hello {name}!")
Mode: Leading Spaces | Tab Width: 4

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I convert leading spaces to tabs?

Select 'Leading Spaces' mode and set your tab width (typically 2 or 4 spaces). The tool will convert only the indentation spaces at the start of each line to tabs, preserving spaces within the text. Perfect for code formatting.

What is the difference between the three conversion modes?

All Spaces converts every single space to a tab. Leading Spaces converts only indentation (spaces at line start) to tabs, ideal for code. Multiple Spaces converts groups of N consecutive spaces to tabs (e.g., every 4 spaces = 1 tab), useful for structured data.

What tab width should I use for my code?

Common conventions: Python: 4 spaces per tab, JavaScript/TypeScript: 2 or 4 spaces, HTML/CSS: 2 spaces, Java/C++: 4 spaces. Check your project's style guide or .editorconfig file for the correct setting.

How do I convert Python code from spaces to tabs?

Use 'Leading Spaces' mode with 4 spaces per tab (Python's standard indentation). Paste your Python code, and the tool will convert the indentation while preserving string literals and inline spaces. Download the converted file to maintain formatting.

Can I convert 2-space indentation to tabs?

Yes! Select 'Leading Spaces' mode and set 'Spaces per Tab' to 2. This is common for JavaScript, React, and CSS code. Each pair of leading spaces will be converted to one tab character.

Will this convert spaces inside strings?

In 'All Spaces' mode, yes - all spaces are converted. Use 'Leading Spaces' mode to preserve spaces within your code (like string literals, comments) and only convert indentation. This is the safest option for source code.

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, .txt, etc.) directly. Set your conversion mode and tab width, then download the converted file. Supports all text-based code files.

How can I verify the conversion worked correctly?

Click the 'Compare' button to see your original code (with spaces) and converted code (with tabs) side-by-side. The statistics panel shows exactly how many spaces were found and how many tabs were added.

Why would I want to use tabs instead of spaces?

Benefits: (1) Smaller file size, (2) Faster navigation with keyboard, (3) Customizable display width in editors, (4) Some style guides require tabs. However, many modern projects prefer spaces for consistency. Check your team's coding standards.