JSON Formatter & Validator
Format, validate, and beautify JSON data with syntax highlighting.
Input JSON
Paste your JSON data here
Output
Formatted result appears here
About JSON Formatter
Our JSON Formatter is a powerful, free online tool designed to help developers, data analysts, and anyone working with JSON data. 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. However, raw JSON data can often be difficult to read, especially when it's minified or contains nested structures.
This tool provides instant JSON formatting, validation, and minification capabilities right in your browser. All processing happens locally on your device, ensuring your data remains private and secure. Whether you're debugging API responses, configuring application settings, or working with complex data structures, our JSON formatter makes it easy to visualize and manipulate JSON data efficiently.
With support for custom indentation levels, real-time validation, and one-click copying, this tool is designed to streamline your workflow and save valuable development time. The intuitive interface works seamlessly on desktop and mobile devices, making it accessible whenever and wherever you need it.
How to Use
Step 1: Input Your JSON
Paste your JSON data into the input field on the left. The tool accepts any valid JSON structure, including arrays, objects, and nested data.
Step 2: Choose Your Action
Click "Format" to beautify your JSON with proper indentation, "Minify" to compress it by removing whitespace, or "Validate" to check for syntax errors.
Step 3: Customize Indentation
Select your preferred indentation level (2 spaces, 4 spaces, or tabs) from the dropdown menu to match your coding standards.
Step 4: Copy the Result
Once formatted, click the "Copy" button to copy the processed JSON to your clipboard for use in your projects.
Key Features
Real-time Validation
Instantly identifies syntax errors and provides detailed error messages to help you fix issues quickly.
Custom Formatting
Choose between 2 spaces, 4 spaces, or tabs for indentation to match your preferred coding style.
Minification
Remove all unnecessary whitespace to reduce file size for production deployments and API payloads.
Undo/Redo Support
Navigate through your editing history with full undo and redo functionality for easy corrections.
Privacy-First
All processing happens in your browser. Your JSON data never leaves your device.
Mobile Responsive
Works perfectly on all devices, from smartphones to desktop computers, with an adaptive interface.
Examples
Example 1: API Response Formatting
Input (Minified):
{"user":{"id":1,"name":"John Doe","email":"john@example.com"},"posts":[{"id":101,"title":"First Post"},{"id":102,"title":"Second Post"}]}Output (Formatted):
{
"user": {
"id": 1,
"name": "John Doe",
"email": "john@example.com"
},
"posts": [
{
"id": 101,
"title": "First Post"
},
{
"id": 102,
"title": "Second Post"
}
]
}Example 2: Configuration File
Input (Unformatted):
{"database":{"host":"localhost","port":5432,"credentials":{"username":"admin","password":"secret"}},"cache":{"enabled":true,"ttl":3600}}Output (Formatted with 4 spaces):
{
"database": {
"host": "localhost",
"port": 5432,
"credentials": {
"username": "admin",
"password": "secret"
}
},
"cache": {
"enabled": true,
"ttl": 3600
}
}Frequently Asked Questions
What is JSON?
JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a lightweight, text-based data interchange format that's easy for humans to read and write, and easy for machines to parse and generate. It's commonly used for transmitting data between web servers and applications.
Is my data secure?
Yes, absolutely. All JSON processing happens entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Your data is never sent to our servers or any third-party services. This ensures complete privacy and security for sensitive information.
What's the maximum file size supported?
Since processing happens in your browser, the practical limit depends on your device's memory and browser capabilities. Most modern browsers can handle JSON files up to several megabytes without issues. For very large files (>10MB), processing might be slower.
Can I use this tool offline?
Once the page is loaded, the tool works entirely offline since all processing is done client-side. However, you need an internet connection to initially load the tool.
What's the difference between formatting and minifying?
Formatting adds proper indentation and line breaks to make JSON human-readable, which is useful for debugging and development. Minifying removes all unnecessary whitespace to reduce file size, which is ideal for production use and data transmission.
Can this tool fix invalid JSON?
While the tool can't automatically fix invalid JSON, it provides detailed error messages that help you identify and correct syntax errors. Common issues include missing quotes, trailing commas, and unmatched brackets.
Does it support JSONP or JSON5?
Currently, the tool supports standard JSON format as defined by RFC 7159. JSONP (JSON with Padding) and JSON5 (JSON with extended syntax) are not supported at this time.
Can I integrate this tool into my workflow?
While this is a web-based tool, you can bookmark it for quick access. For programmatic JSON processing, consider using command-line tools like jq or programming language libraries specific to your development environment.