📋 JSON Formatter & Validator
Format, minify, and validate JSON online. Free JSON formatter with syntax highlighting, auto-format, key sorting, and export options.
What is JSON?
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 based on a subset of JavaScript and is commonly used for transmitting data in web applications, APIs, and configuration files.
JSON is language-independent but uses conventions familiar to programmers of C-family languages. It's built on two structures: a collection of name/value pairs (objects) and an ordered list of values (arrays). Properly formatted JSON is essential for readability, debugging, and maintaining code quality.
Common Use Cases
🌐 API Development
Format and validate JSON responses from APIs. Ensure proper structure and readability for debugging and documentation purposes.
💻 Code Development
Format JSON configuration files, package.json, tsconfig.json, and other JSON-based configs. Maintain consistent formatting across projects.
🔍 Debugging
Validate JSON syntax to find errors quickly. Format minified JSON to understand structure and identify issues in data.
📊 Data Processing
Format JSON data for analysis, transformation, or storage. Minify JSON to reduce file size for production environments.
Key Features
Format & Minify
Format JSON with customizable indentation (2 spaces, 4 spaces, or tabs) or minify to reduce file size for production.
Real-time Validation
Validate JSON syntax in real-time as you type. Get instant feedback on errors with detailed error messages.
Auto-Format
Enable auto-formatting to automatically format JSON as you type. Perfect for maintaining consistent formatting.
Key Sorting
Optionally sort object keys alphabetically for consistent output. Useful for comparing JSON files or maintaining order.
Statistics
View file size, total number of keys, and maximum nesting depth. Understand your JSON structure at a glance.
Privacy First
All JSON processing happens locally in your browser. We never see, store, or have access to your JSON data.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between formatting and minifying?
Formatting adds indentation and line breaks to make JSON readable. Minifying removes all unnecessary whitespace to reduce file size. Use formatting for development and minifying for production.
Why is my JSON invalid?
Common JSON errors include: missing quotes around keys, trailing commas, single quotes instead of double quotes, or unescaped special characters. Our validator will show the specific error message.
Can I format very large JSON files?
Our tool works best with JSON files under 10MB. For very large files, consider processing them in chunks or using command-line tools. Browser memory limits may affect performance with extremely large files.
Do you store my JSON data?
No, absolutely not. All JSON processing happens entirely in your browser. We never see, store, transmit, or have any access to your JSON data. Your privacy is completely protected.