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JSON Formatter

JSON Formatter lets you format and beautify JSON quickly in your browser — nothing is uploaded.

Input
Output
Settings
Format

What is JSON?

JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is the standard text format for exchanging data between apps, APIs and configuration files. It stores data as key/value pairs and arrays, and most web APIs send and receive it. A JSON formatter — also called a beautifier or pretty-printer — takes minified or messy JSON and re-indents it with consistent spacing and line breaks so it is easy to read and debug, while flagging structural problems such as missing commas or brackets. This tool formats and validates JSON instantly and privately in your browser — your data is never uploaded.

Related JSON tools: shrink it with the JSON Minifier, check it with the JSON Validator, explore it in the JSON Viewer, or convert it with JSON to CSV. Everything runs in your browser — nothing is uploaded.

How JSON works

Beautifying JSON is really two steps:

  1. Parse — the tool reads your JSON and confirms it is valid; if it is not, it points you to the error.
  2. Re-serialize — the parsed data is written back out with clean, consistent indentation and line breaks (pretty-printing).

Minifying does the opposite: it strips every unnecessary space and newline to make the JSON as small as possible for transfer. Validating just checks the syntax without changing anything.

How to use

  1. Paste your JSON into the input box.
  2. The tool processes it instantly in your browser.
  3. Copy the result.

Common uses

  • Reading and debugging API requests and responses.
  • Cleaning up minified or one-line JSON.
  • Inspecting configuration and package files.
  • Spotting syntax errors (missing commas, brackets, quotes).
  • Preparing JSON for documentation or screenshots.
  • Learning how JSON is structured.

Frequently asked questions

What does a JSON formatter do?
It pretty-prints JSON with clean, consistent indentation and line breaks so nested objects and arrays are easy to read, and it highlights syntax errors.
What is the difference between format, minify and validate?
Formatting adds indentation for readability; minifying removes whitespace to shrink the size; validating only checks that the syntax is correct without changing the data.
What if my JSON is invalid?
The tool reports the syntax error so you can find and fix it — common causes are trailing commas, missing brackets, or single quotes instead of double quotes.
Why must JSON keys use double quotes?
The JSON standard requires keys and string values to use double quotes. Single quotes, unquoted keys and trailing commas are valid in JavaScript but not in JSON.
Can I convert JSON to CSV or XML?
Yes — use our JSON to CSV converter, and the CSV/XML tools, for converting structured data between formats.
Is my JSON sent to a server?
No. Formatting and validation happen entirely in your browser, so your data stays private.
Is the JSON Formatter free?
Yes — it is completely free, with no sign-up and no limits.