Scalafmt
scalameta.org
What it is
Scalafmt is a free Scala code formatter for keeping formatting consistent across a team. It handles Scala 2, Scala 3, sbt files and Scala scripts, with one dialect selected for each file. Formatting options are stored in a plain-text .scalafmt.conf file using HOCON syntax. Since version 3.1.0, the configuration must explicitly specify both the version and runner.dialect. Scalafmt can run from an editor, build tool or terminal. Documented editor integrations include IntelliJ, VS Code, Vim, NeoVim, Emacs, Sublime Text and Eclipse; Metals supports formatting requests from editors. It integrates with sbt and documents integrations for Maven, Gradle and Mill. Command-line check and test modes report misformatted code without writing changes. It also supports ignoring files, changed-lines formatting and a library API. IntelliJ range formatting uses IntelliJ’s own formatter by default: Scalafmt is designed primarily for whole files, and selected ranges may produce undesirable results. The project license is Apache-2.0.
Spec sheet
- Purpose
- Scalafmt is a code formatter for Scala that formats code consistently across a team.Read 7 Oct 2026 · scalameta.org
- Security
- The official Scalafmt pages opened for this research do not state security certifications or compliance claims.Read 7 Oct 2026 · scalameta.org
- Support
- The project site links to a community Discord and GitHub, and the CLI help directs bug reports to GitHub issues.Read 7 Oct 2026 · scalameta.org
- License
- The GitHub repository identifies the project license as Apache-2.0.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Build integrations
- Scalafmt integrates with sbt and has documented integrations for Maven, Gradle, and Mill.Read 7 Oct 2026 · scalameta.org
- Configuration
- Formatting options are set in a plain text .scalafmt.conf file using HOCON syntax.Read 7 Oct 2026 · scalameta.org
- Editor integrations
- The documentation describes use with IntelliJ, VS Code, Vim, NeoVim, Emacs, Sublime Text, and Eclipse, with Metals supporting formatting requests from editors.Read 7 Oct 2026 · scalameta.org
- File support
- Scalafmt can format Scala files as well as .sbt and .sc files.Read 7 Oct 2026 · scalameta.org
- Formatting checks
- The CLI offers check and test modes that report misformatted code without writing changes.Read 7 Oct 2026 · scalameta.org
- How to run it
- Scalafmt can run from an editor, build tool, or terminal.Read 7 Oct 2026 · scalameta.org
- IntelliJ limitation
- IntelliJ range formatting uses its own formatter by default because Scalafmt is primarily designed to format entire text files and selected ranges may produce undesirable results.Read 7 Oct 2026 · scalameta.org
- Scala dialects
- The formatter supports Scala 2, Scala 3, and sbt-specific dialects, with one dialect selected for each file.Read 7 Oct 2026 · scalameta.org
- Version requirement
- Since version 3.1.0, the version and runner.dialect settings must be specified explicitly in configuration.Read 7 Oct 2026 · scalameta.org
Plans and prices
Free Free Code formatter for Scala Read 7 Oct 2026 · scalameta.org
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Free and open-source under Apache-2.0.
- Supports Scala 2, Scala 3 and sbt dialects.
- Runs from editors, build tools and terminal.
- Check and test modes avoid writing changes.
- Supports changed-lines formatting and ignore files.
Limits
- Version and runner.dialect must be explicit since 3.1.0.
- IntelliJ range formatting defaults to IntelliJ’s formatter.
- Selected-range formatting may produce undesirable results.
Who it suits
Scalafmt suits Scala teams that want consistent formatting across editors, build tools or the command line. It is also relevant to developers who need check-only formatting modes or a library API.
Verdict
Scalafmt offers broad editor and build-tool integration alongside configuration-based formatting and non-writing checks. Teams using IntelliJ should note its whole-file focus when considering range formatting.
Where Specifiction places it
- Code Formatting Tools#22 of 347.6
