JSON Formatter & Validator
Format and validate JSON instantly
Quick Examples
What is JSON Formatting?
JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a lightweight data interchange format that's easy for humans to read and write, and easy for machines to parse and generate. JSON formatting (also called beautifying or pretty-printing) converts compact or minified JSON into a readable format with proper indentation and line breaks.
Our JSON formatter tool automatically validates your JSON syntax, formats it with proper indentation, and provides detailed statistics about your data structure. Whether you're debugging API responses, cleaning up configuration files, or preparing JSON for documentation, our tool makes it quick and easy.
The tool also validates your JSON in real-time, instantly showing any syntax errors and highlighting exactly what needs to be fixed. This makes it invaluable for developers working with APIs, configuration files, or any JSON data.
Common Use Cases
API Response Debugging
Format and validate API responses to quickly identify issues and understand data structure
Configuration Files
Clean up and validate JSON configuration files for applications and services
Documentation
Format JSON examples for documentation, tutorials, and code samples
Data Analysis
Analyze JSON data structure, count elements, and understand nesting depth
Code Review
Ensure JSON payloads are properly formatted before committing code
Features
Real-Time Validation
Instantly validates JSON syntax as you type, with clear error messages showing exactly what's wrong
Custom Indentation
Choose between 2 or 4 space indentation to match your coding style and project standards
Sort Keys
Alphabetically sort object keys for consistent formatting and easier comparisons
Minification
Remove all whitespace and formatting to minimize file size for production use
Detailed Statistics
View file size, line count, nesting depth, and element counts at a glance
Privacy First
All processing happens in your browser - no data is ever sent to servers
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes JSON invalid?
Common issues include: missing quotes around keys, trailing commas, single quotes instead of double quotes, unescaped special characters, missing brackets or braces, and invalid values. Our tool will show you exactly what's wrong.
Should I use 2 or 4 spaces for indentation?
Both are valid! 2 spaces is more common in JavaScript/JSON and saves file size. 4 spaces is more readable for deeply nested structures. Choose what matches your project's style guide or personal preference.
When should I minify JSON?
Minify JSON for production environments, API responses, or when file size matters. Keep it formatted during development for readability. Most build tools automatically minify JSON for you in production.
What does "Sort Keys" do?
Sorting keys alphabetically makes it easier to compare JSON files, find specific properties, and maintain consistent formatting. It's especially useful for configuration files and version control.
Can I format very large JSON files?
Yes! Since everything runs in your browser, you can format large files. However, extremely large files (several MB) may take a moment to process depending on your device's performance.
Is my data safe using this tool?
Absolutely! All JSON formatting and validation happens entirely in your browser using JavaScript. No data is sent to our servers or any third party. Your JSON remains completely private on your device.