JSON Formatter & Validator

Format, beautify, minify, and validate JSON data with syntax highlighting and error detection.

About 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. It's the most popular format for APIs, configuration files, and data storage. Properly formatted JSON is essential for debugging, code reviews, and maintaining readable codebases.

This formatter helps you beautify minified JSON by adding proper indentation and line breaks, or minify formatted JSON by removing all whitespace to reduce file size. It also validates your JSON syntax and detects errors instantly. Whether you're working with API responses, config files, or data analysis, this tool makes JSON easy to work with.

Examples:

  • Minified: {"name":"John","age":30}
  • Formatted: { "name": "John", "age": 30 }

Features of JSON Formatter

  • Format & Beautify: Add proper indentation and line breaks for readability
  • Minify: Remove all whitespace to reduce file size
  • Validate: Check JSON syntax and detect errors
  • Syntax Highlighting: Easy-to-read color-coded output
  • Error Detection: Identify and locate JSON syntax errors
  • Copy & Download: Save formatted JSON instantly

How to Use JSON Formatter

  1. Paste your JSON data into the input field
  2. Click "Format & Beautify" to add indentation and make it readable
  3. Click "Minify" to remove whitespace and compress the JSON
  4. Click "Validate" to check for syntax errors
  5. Copy the result or download it as a .json file

Common Use Cases

  • API Development: Format API responses for debugging
  • Configuration Files: Beautify config.json files
  • Data Analysis: Make JSON data readable for analysis
  • Code Review: Format JSON before committing to version control
  • Learning: Understand JSON structure better with proper formatting
  • Optimization: Minify JSON for production to reduce bandwidth

JSON Syntax Rules

  • Data is in name/value pairs
  • Data is separated by commas
  • Curly braces hold objects
  • Square brackets hold arrays
  • Keys must be strings in double quotes
  • Values can be strings, numbers, objects, arrays, true, false, or null

Frequently Asked Questions

What is JSON formatting?

JSON formatting (or beautifying) adds proper indentation, line breaks, and spacing to JSON data, making it human-readable. It transforms minified/compressed JSON into a structured, easy-to-read format without changing the actual data. This is essential for debugging, code review, and understanding complex JSON structures.

How do I validate JSON?

Paste your JSON into our validator and click the "Format" button. It will automatically check for syntax errors, missing brackets, unclosed strings, invalid characters, and structural issues. Any errors will be highlighted with specific line numbers and detailed descriptions to help you fix them quickly.

What's the difference between minify and beautify?

Beautify adds formatting (indentation, line breaks, spacing) to make JSON human-readable and easier to debug. Minify removes all unnecessary whitespace and line breaks to reduce file size, making it compact for production use and faster data transmission.

Why is my JSON invalid?

Common JSON errors include: missing commas between elements, unclosed brackets or quotes, trailing commas (not allowed in JSON), single quotes instead of double quotes, unescaped special characters, or invalid data types. Our validator pinpoints the exact error location with line numbers.

Can I format large JSON files?

Yes! Our formatter handles JSON files up to 10MB. For very large files, processing may take a few seconds. All formatting happens in your browser, so file size only affects your device's performance, not our servers.

Is my JSON data secure?

Absolutely! All JSON processing happens entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Your data is never sent to our servers, never stored anywhere, and never logged. Once you close the page, your data is completely gone.

What is JSON used for?

JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is used for data exchange between servers and web applications, API responses, configuration files, data storage, and inter-application communication. It's the standard format for modern web APIs.

Can I download formatted JSON?

Yes! After formatting your JSON, click the "Download" button to save it as a .json file. You can also copy the formatted output to your clipboard with one click.

JSON Formatter Use Cases

Essential tool for developers and data professionals

👨‍💻 API Development

Debug API responses, validate request payloads, and format JSON data for testing. Perfect for REST API development and integration.

🔧 Web Development

Format configuration files, validate JSON data structures, and debug JavaScript objects in web applications.

📊 Data Analysis

Parse and validate JSON datasets, format data exports, and prepare JSON for data visualization tools.

🐛 Debugging

Quickly identify syntax errors, validate JSON structure, and beautify minified JSON for easier troubleshooting.

📱 Mobile Development

Validate API responses, format JSON configuration files, and test data structures for iOS and Android apps.

📝 Documentation

Create readable JSON examples for API documentation, tutorials, and technical guides.