JSON Formatter
JSON FormatterFormat & Validate
About JSON
JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a lightweight data interchange format that is easy for humans to read and write and easy for machines to parse and generate. It is widely used for APIs, configuration files, and data storage. This tool helps you format, validate, and analyze JSON data with real-time error detection.
Related Tools
What is JSON?
JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a lightweight data interchange format that has become the standard for web APIs and configuration files. It uses human-readable text to store and transmit data objects consisting of key-value pairs and arrays.
Originally derived from JavaScript, JSON is now language-independent and supported by virtually all programming languages. Its simplicity and flexibility make it ideal for storing structured data, from simple configurations to complex nested objects.
This free tool helps you format, beautify, minify, and validate JSON data with real-time error detection. It provides detailed statistics about your JSON structure including object count, array count, nesting depth, and data type breakdown.
Features
Format & Beautify
Transform minified JSON into readable, indented format with customizable spacing (2 spaces, 4 spaces, or tabs).
Minify
Compress JSON by removing all whitespace, reducing file size for production use.
Real-time Validation
Instantly detect syntax errors with precise line and column numbers for quick debugging.
Sort Keys
Alphabetically sort object keys for consistent formatting and easier comparison.
Statistics
View detailed analysis including object count, array count, nesting depth, and size.
Type Analysis
See breakdown of value types: strings, numbers, booleans, nulls, objects, and arrays.
JSON Syntax Rules
Objects: Enclosed in curly braces {}. Contain key-value pairs separated by commas.
Arrays: Enclosed in square brackets []. Contain ordered values separated by commas.
Keys: Must be strings enclosed in double quotes.
Values: Can be strings, numbers, booleans, null, objects, or arrays.
Strings: Must use double quotes (not single quotes).
No trailing commas: The last item in an object or array cannot have a comma after it.
No comments: Standard JSON does not support comments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes "Unexpected token" errors?
This error typically occurs when there's a syntax issue like missing quotes around strings, using single quotes instead of double quotes, trailing commas, or missing commas between elements.
Why should I minify JSON?
Minifying JSON removes unnecessary whitespace, reducing file size. This is beneficial for production environments where bandwidth and loading speed matter. Minified JSON can be 30-50% smaller than formatted JSON.
Is my data secure?
Yes. All processing happens entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Your JSON data never leaves your device and is not sent to any server, ensuring complete privacy.
What's the maximum JSON size I can format?
Since processing happens in your browser, the limit depends on your device's memory. Most modern devices can handle JSON files up to several megabytes without issues.