JSON Formatter & Validator
Format, validate, and beautify your JSON data with this free online tool. Instantly detect syntax errors and make your JSON readable.
Input JSON
Formatted JSON
Features
JSON Validation
Instantly validate your JSON to ensure it’s syntactically correct. Get detailed error messages if any issues are found.
Custom Formatting
Choose your preferred indentation style with options for 2 spaces, 4 spaces, or tabs to match your coding standards.
Sort Object Keys
Organize your JSON objects by sorting keys alphabetically, making it easier to read and compare data structures.
JSON Minification
Compress your JSON by removing all whitespace and unnecessary characters, perfect for reducing file size for production.
Syntax Highlighting
Visualize your JSON structure with beautiful syntax highlighting that makes it easier to read and understand.
Privacy First
All processing happens directly in your browser. Your JSON data is never sent to our servers, ensuring complete privacy.
What is JSON?
JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a lightweight data interchange format that is easy for humans to read and write and easy for machines to parse and generate. It is based on a subset of the JavaScript Programming Language and is language-independent with parsers available for virtually every programming language.
JSON is built on two structures:
- A collection of name/value pairs (realized as an object, record, struct, dictionary, hash table, keyed list, or associative array in various languages)
- An ordered list of values (realized as an array, vector, list, or sequence in various languages)
These universal data structures are supported in some form by nearly all modern programming languages, making JSON an ideal data-interchange language.
JSON Syntax Rules
- Data is represented in name/value pairs
- Curly braces
{}hold objects - Square brackets
[]hold arrays - Names must be strings, written with double quotes
- Values can be strings, numbers, objects, arrays, booleans (
trueorfalse), ornull
How to Use Our JSON Formatter
- Paste your JSON – Copy your JSON data from any source and paste it into the input area.
- Select your options – Choose your preferred indentation style and whether you want to sort object keys alphabetically.
- Format or Minify – Click the “Format & Validate JSON” button to beautify and validate your JSON, or “Minify” to compress it.
- View the results – Your formatted or minified JSON will appear in the output area with syntax highlighting.
- Use the formatted JSON – Copy the formatted JSON or download it as a file for your project.
Common Use Cases for JSON Formatting
API Development
When building or consuming APIs, properly formatted JSON is essential for debugging responses, understanding data structures, and ensuring correct implementation.
Configuration Files
Many modern applications use JSON for configuration files. Proper formatting makes these files easier to edit, review, and maintain.
Data Analysis
When working with JSON data for analysis, well-formatted and sorted JSON helps identify patterns and understand complex nested structures.
Documentation
Including properly formatted JSON examples in documentation improves readability and helps users understand your data structures more quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between formatting and minifying JSON?
Formatting JSON adds proper indentation and line breaks to make the JSON human-readable. Minifying removes all unnecessary whitespace and line breaks to reduce file size, which is optimal for production environments and data transfer.
Is my JSON data secure when using this tool?
Yes, all processing happens directly in your browser. Your JSON data is never sent to our servers, ensuring complete privacy and security for sensitive information.
Why should I sort object keys in my JSON?
Sorting object keys alphabetically makes it easier to read and compare JSON structures. It’s particularly useful when comparing different versions of the same data or when working with large JSON objects.
What are common JSON syntax errors?
Common JSON syntax errors include:
- Missing or extra commas between properties
- Using single quotes instead of double quotes for strings
- Trailing commas at the end of arrays or objects
- Missing closing brackets or braces
- Using JavaScript comments (// or /* */) which are not valid in JSON
Can I use this tool for large JSON files?
Yes, our tool is optimized to handle large JSON files efficiently. However, extremely large files (several MB) might cause performance issues in some browsers. For very large files, consider using command-line tools like jq.
What’s the difference between JSON and JavaScript objects?
While JSON syntax is derived from JavaScript object notation, there are key differences: JSON requires double quotes for property names, doesn’t support functions or undefined values, and is strictly a data format rather than a programming construct.