JSON Formatter & Beautifier
Format, validate, and beautify your JSON data.
Input JSON
Formatted JSON
Indentation:
Related Tools
About JSON Formatter
How the JSON Formatter Works
- Validates your JSON to ensure it's properly formatted
- Formats with customizable indentation levels
- Can minify JSON by removing all whitespace
- Provides clear error messages for invalid JSON
- Uses syntax highlighting for improved readability
Common Use Cases
- Formatting API responses for readability
- Debugging JSON data structures
- Validating configuration files
- Minifying JSON for storage or transmission
- Preparing JSON for documentation or sharing
Frequently Asked Questions
What is JSON and why would I need to format it?
JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a lightweight data format commonly used for APIs and configuration files. Formatting makes JSON readable by adding proper indentation and spacing, which is essential for debugging, documentation, and code review.
What's the difference between formatting and minifying JSON?
Formatting adds indentation, line breaks, and spacing to make JSON human-readable. Minifying removes all unnecessary whitespace to reduce file size, which is useful for data transmission and storage optimization.
How does the tool validate my JSON?
The tool uses JavaScript's built-in JSON.parse() function to validate your input. If the JSON is malformed, you'll receive a clear error message indicating what needs to be fixed, such as missing quotes, brackets, or commas.
What indentation options are available?
You can choose from 1, 2, 3, 4, or 8 spaces for indentation. The most common standards are 2 or 4 spaces. The choice depends on your team's coding standards or personal preference for readability.
Can I format large JSON files with this tool?
Yes, the tool can handle large JSON files, but very large files (several MB) might take a moment to process and may affect browser performance. For extremely large files, consider using command-line tools or desktop applications.
Does this tool work offline?
Yes, all JSON processing happens entirely in your browser using client-side JavaScript. No data is sent to servers, so you can use this tool offline and your JSON data remains completely private.
Why am I getting a JSON syntax error?
Common JSON syntax errors include: missing quotes around keys, trailing commas, unescaped quotes in strings, missing closing brackets/braces, or single quotes instead of double quotes. The error message will help identify the specific issue.
Can I format JSON that contains special characters?
Yes, the tool properly handles Unicode characters, escaped characters, and special symbols. JSON natively supports Unicode, so any valid UTF-8 characters will be preserved during formatting.
What's the maximum size JSON I can format?
There's no hard limit, but browser memory constraints may affect very large files (>10MB). For optimal performance, we recommend using files under 5MB. Larger files may cause browser slowdown or memory issues.
Can I convert JSON to other formats?
This tool focuses on JSON formatting and validation. For converting JSON to other formats like YAML, XML, or CSV, check our other conversion tools. We also have specialized tools for specific JSON operations.
How do I copy the formatted JSON?
After formatting, click the "Copy to Clipboard" button that appears below the output area. You can also manually select all text in the output area and copy it using Ctrl+C (or Cmd+C on Mac).
Is my JSON data secure when using this tool?
Absolutely. All JSON processing happens locally in your browser. No data is transmitted to our servers or stored anywhere. Your JSON content remains completely private and secure throughout the formatting process.