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Convert Leading Spaces to Tab Characters Convert leading spaces to tab characters with configurable tab width.

Spaces to Tab Converter illustration
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Spaces to Tab Converter

Convert leading spaces to tab characters with configurable tab width.

1

Paste Your Space-Indented Code

Paste code or text with space indentation.

2

Set Tab Width

Choose 2, 4, or 8 spaces per tab.

3

Copy the Tab-Indented Output

Copy the text with tabs instead of leading spaces.

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What Is Spaces to Tab Converter?

A Spaces to Tab Converter is a tool that replaces leading spaces in each line of text with tab characters based on a specified tab width. Developers who work with code files use it to convert between different indentation styles, such as changing space indentation to tabs for better readability. One specific problem it solves is the need to replace spaces with tabs online, which can be tedious when done manually, especially in large files.

The tool allows users to choose from three tab widths: 2, 4, or 8 spaces per tab, giving them control over how their code is formatted. What makes this tool different is its ability to preserve spaces within the text content while only converting leading indentation spaces. If the leading spaces do not divide evenly by the tab width, remaining spaces are kept, ensuring that the original formatting is maintained as much as possible.

It also includes a feature to adjust the number of spaces per tab, which can be useful when working with different coding styles or languages. For example, some developers prefer 4 spaces for indentation, while others use 2 or 8. By using this space to tab indentation tool, users can easily convert spaces to tabs in their code and maintain a consistent formatting style throughout their project. This is particularly useful when learning how to convert spaces to tabs in code or when changing existing code to use tabs instead of spaces for indentation.

Why Use Spaces to Tab Converter?

  • Convert space-indented code to tabs
  • Only converts leading indentation, not inline spaces
  • Handles uneven indentation gracefully
  • Reduce file size by replacing spaces with tabs

Common Use Cases

Code Formatting

Convert space-indented code to tab indentation.

Editor Preference

Switch to your preferred indentation style.

File Size

Reduce file size by converting multiple spaces to single tab characters.

Style Compliance

Meet coding style requirements that specify tabs over spaces.

Technical Guide

The converter processes each line individually. It counts leading space characters by iterating from the start of each line. The count is divided by the specified tab width: the quotient becomes the number of tab characters, and the remainder becomes leftover spaces. The line is reconstructed as tabs + remainder spaces + rest of line content. This approach only affects leading whitespace, preserving all other spaces in the line. For example, with tab width 4, a line starting with 10 spaces becomes 2 tabs + 2 spaces.

Tips & Best Practices

  • 1
    Only leading spaces are converted — inline spaces are untouched
  • 2
    Uneven indentation produces tabs plus remaining spaces
  • 3
    Set the tab width to match the original indent size
  • 4
    Combine with the Tab to Spaces tool for the reverse operation

Related Tools

Frequently Asked Questions

Q Does it convert ALL spaces to tabs?
No, only leading (indentation) spaces are converted. Spaces within text content are preserved.
Q What happens with odd numbers of spaces?
Leftover spaces that don't form a complete tab are kept as spaces. E.g., 5 spaces with width 4 = 1 tab + 1 space.
Q How do I know the right tab width?
Look at your code's indentation: count the spaces used for one indent level.
Q Can I convert tabs back to spaces?
Yes, use the Tab to Spaces Converter tool.
Q Does it handle empty lines?
Yes, empty lines pass through unchanged.

About This Tool

Spaces to Tab Converter is a free online tool by FreeToolkit.ai. All processing happens directly in your browser — your data never leaves your device. No registration or installation required.