{ }JSON Formatter

JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is the most widely used text-based data format for exchanging data in web development. You'll commonly encounter it in API responses, configuration files, and database documents. However, minified JSON data is hard for humans to read, and structural errors can be difficult to spot. This tool prettifies JSON data, validates syntax in real time, and lets you explore the data as a tree structure. All processing happens in your browser, so your sensitive data stays safe.

How to Use

1
Enter JSON
Paste JSON data directly into the left input area, drag and drop a file, or load from a URL. You can also click 'Load Example' to quickly try a sample.
2
Configure Format Options
Choose indentation (2 spaces, 4 spaces, or tab) and JSON spec (RFC 8259 standard, ECMA-404, or JSON5 extended). Enable 'Auto-format' to format instantly as you type.
3
Review Results
View the formatted JSON in the right panel. Validation status is shown in the status bar, with specific error messages if any issues are found.
4
Check Stats & Copy
The stats area shows counts of objects, arrays, strings, numbers, and nesting depth. Copy the result to clipboard or download as a file.

Tips

💡When debugging APIs, paste the response JSON to quickly understand its structure at a glance.
💡The 'Auto Fix' feature automatically corrects common JSON errors like trailing commas and single quotes.
💡Selecting JSON5 spec enables extended syntax including comments, trailing commas, and unquoted keys.
💡Even large JSON files are processed entirely in your browser — no data is ever sent to a server.

FAQ

Q. What is the difference between a JSON formatter and a JSON validator?: A. A formatter prettifies JSON with proper indentation, while a validator checks for syntax errors. This tool does both simultaneously — it formats your JSON and highlights any errors in real time.
Q. Is it safe to paste sensitive data?: A. Yes. All processing happens entirely in your browser. No data is ever sent to a server. You can verify this by checking the Network tab in your browser's developer tools.
Q. What is the difference between JSON and a JavaScript object literal?: A. JSON requires double quotes for all keys and string values, disallows trailing commas, and does not support comments. JavaScript object literals are more permissive — they allow unquoted keys, single quotes, and trailing commas.
Q. Can I minify (compact) JSON with this tool?: A. Yes. Select "Minify" in the indentation options to output compact single-line JSON with all whitespace removed, which is useful for reducing payload sizes in API requests.