elm-format
elm-format: A free, open-source Elm formatter with editor integrations and validation. Ranked #26 of 34 in Code Formatting Tools by our editors (6.7/10); pricing: Free plan; best for elm developers.
At a glance
- Editor score6.7 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forElm developers
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Supported languagesElm
- Facts checked21 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Formats Elm files, directories, and standard input
- Supports format validation and format-on-save editor workflows
- Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux with Markdown support
Where it doesn't
- Supports Elm only, rather than multiple programming languages
- Provides desktop deployment rather than a hosted service
- Community and documentation support may not suit buyers needing direct support
Our verdict on elm-format
elm-format is an open-source command-line formatter for Elm source code. It is designed for developers working with Elm 0.18 and Elm 0.19 projects, whether they need to format individual files, whole directories, or source passed through standard input. It can also write formatted output to a specified file and validate whether files follow the expected format without changing them. Windows, macOS, and Linux are supported, making it suitable for solo developers and teams across common desktop environments.
Its strongest fit is an Elm-centered workflow that values consistent formatting in both the command line and the editor. elm-format documents integrations for Atom, Light Table, Vim, Emacs, Visual Studio Code, Sublime Text, JetBrains IDEs, TextMate, and Prettier, including format-on-save workflows. Through its companion integration, it can format Elm code embedded in Markdown. The project also provides a Haskell library with exposed formatting and parsing modules, which adds a programmatic option for users working in that ecosystem.
The pricing model is straightforward: elm-format is free and open source, with no paid tiers described. That makes it a practical choice when Elm formatting, validation, and editor integration are the primary requirements. Its narrow scope is also the main boundary: supported language coverage is Elm, and deployment is desktop-based. Teams seeking a formatter that spans several languages, or buyers looking for a hosted product with broader service support, should consider a different category option. Elm developers who want a focused formatter and flexible command-line workflows should pick elm-format.
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elm-format pricing
elm-format fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Supported languages | Elm |
| Supported platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Editor integration | Yes |
| Ignore files | Not verified |
| Changed-lines formatting | Not verified |
| Library API | Yes |
| License model | Open_source |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Support | Docs, Community |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 9 integrations: Atom, Light Table, Vim, Emacs, Visual Studio Code, Sublime Text … |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | github.com |
| Facts checked | 21 Sep 2026 |
elm-format integrations
elm-format lists 9 integrations on its own site.
- Atom
- Light Table
- Vim
- Emacs
- Visual Studio Code
- Sublime Text
- JetBrains IDEs
- TextMate
- Prettier
Alternatives to elm-format
- dprintA broad, editor-friendly formatter for multilingual repositories and changed-file workflows.9.4
- PrettierA broad, open-source formatter for web-language teams across editors and workflows.9.2
- SpotlessA build-focused formatter for JVM projects that need broad language coverage and automation.9.0
See all elm-format alternatives →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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