JSON Formatter & Validator

Format, minify, and validate JSON data instantly with our free online JSON formatter tool.

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JSON Formatter

Your formatted JSON will appear here

How to Use the JSON Formatter

  1. Paste your JSON data into the input field on the left
  2. Click "Format" to beautify and indent your JSON with proper spacing
  3. Click "Minify" to compress JSON by removing whitespace and line breaks
  4. Use "Copy to Clipboard" to quickly copy the formatted result
  5. Invalid JSON will show error messages to help you fix syntax issues

Key Features

  • Real-time JSON validation
  • Pretty print with proper indentation
  • Minify for production use
  • Copy to clipboard functionality
  • Clear error messages
  • No data stored or transmitted

Common Use Cases

  • Debug API responses
  • Format config files
  • Validate JSON syntax
  • Prepare data for production
  • Clean up exported data
  • Educational purposes

About JSON

JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a lightweight, text-based data interchange format. It's easy for humans to read and write, and easy for machines to parse and generate. JSON is commonly used for API responses, configuration files, and data storage in web applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is JSON formatting?

JSON formatting, also known as "pretty printing," adds proper indentation, line breaks, and spacing to make JSON data more readable. It transforms compressed JSON into a structured, easy-to-read format.

What does minifying JSON do?

Minifying JSON removes all unnecessary whitespace, line breaks, and indentation to create the smallest possible file size. This is ideal for production environments where bandwidth and storage matter.

Is my JSON data safe to use with this tool?

Yes, this JSON formatter runs entirely in your browser. Your data is never sent to our servers or stored anywhere. All processing happens locally on your device for maximum privacy and security.

What happens if my JSON has syntax errors?

The tool will display a clear error message indicating what's wrong with your JSON syntax. This helps you identify and fix issues like missing commas, unclosed brackets, or invalid characters.

Can I format large JSON files?

Yes, but very large files may slow down your browser since processing happens client-side. For optimal performance, we recommend files under 10MB. Larger files should be processed in chunks.

What's the difference between JSON and XML?

JSON is more lightweight and easier to read than XML. It uses key-value pairs and arrays, while XML uses nested tags. JSON is preferred for web APIs, while XML is common in enterprise systems.

Do I need to install anything to use this tool?

No installation required! This is a web-based tool that works in any modern browser. Simply paste your JSON and start formatting immediately.