JSON Formatter & Validator

Format, validate, and minify JSON data

Input JSON0 characters

Formatted Output

Indent:

How to Use This Tool

Paste or Type JSON

Enter your JSON data in the input field. You can paste from clipboard or type directly.

Choose an Action

Click 'Format' to beautify JSON with proper indentation, or 'Minify' to compress it.

Select Indentation

Choose between 2 spaces, 4 spaces, or tabs for formatting preference.

Copy or Download

Use the copy button to copy to clipboard or download as a .json file.

Pro Tips

•The validator runs automatically and shows errors in real-time
•Use the 'Load Sample' button to see example JSON data
•Green border indicates valid JSON, red indicates errors
•The tool preserves Unicode characters and special formatting
•Large JSON files (up to several MB) are handled efficiently

What is JSON Formatter?

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. Our JSON formatter helps developers work with JSON data by providing instant validation, beautification, and minification capabilities. Whether you're debugging API responses, configuring applications, or working with data files, this tool makes JSON manipulation effortless.

Key Features

Real-time JSON validation with error detection

Beautify JSON with customizable indentation (2 spaces, 4 spaces, or tabs)

Minify JSON to reduce file size for production

Support for large JSON files up to several megabytes

Preserve Unicode characters and special formatting

Download formatted JSON as a file

Copy to clipboard with one click

Common Use Cases

API Development: Format and validate JSON responses from REST APIs to ensure proper structure and identify issues quickly.

Configuration Files: Beautify application configuration files (package.json, tsconfig.json, etc.) for better readability and maintenance.

Data Analysis: Format large JSON datasets to make them human-readable for analysis and debugging.

Web Development: Minify JSON data for production to reduce bandwidth and improve load times.

Testing & QA: Validate JSON test data and fixtures to ensure they meet schema requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between formatting and minifying JSON?

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Formatting (beautifying) adds proper indentation, line breaks, and spacing to make JSON human-readable. Minifying removes all unnecessary whitespace to create the smallest possible file size, which is ideal for production use where bandwidth matters.

How do I fix JSON syntax errors?

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Our validator shows the exact location and nature of syntax errors. Common issues include missing commas between elements, unmatched brackets or braces, invalid quote usage, and trailing commas. The error message will guide you to the specific line and character position.

Can this tool handle large JSON files?

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Yes, the formatter efficiently handles JSON files up to several megabytes in size. All processing happens in your browser using optimized algorithms, so even large files are processed quickly without sending data to any server.

What's the best indentation for JSON?

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It depends on your team's coding standards. 2 spaces is compact and widely used in JavaScript projects. 4 spaces provides clearer visual hierarchy. Tabs allow viewers to set their preferred width. Choose based on your project's style guide.

Is my JSON data secure when using this tool?

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Absolutely. All JSON processing happens entirely in your browser. No data is ever sent to our servers or any third party. You can even use this tool offline once the page is loaded.

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