JSON
JSON formatter & validator
Format, minify, and validate JSON — fix payloads before APIs or configs.
This JSON formatter helps you inspect JSON, spot syntax errors, and turn minified API responses into readable, indented text. Use it as a quick editor: paste, format or minify, and fix issues with fast feedback. Validation uses the same rules as JavaScript's JSON.parse — so what passes here follows standard JSON syntax.
Format, minify, and validate in one place. Your JSON is processed in this browser tab — nothing is sent to our servers for formatting.
Try it
What is JSON?
JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a lightweight way to represent structured data as text. It is easy for both people and programs to read, and it maps cleanly to objects and arrays in most languages — not only JavaScript. Douglas Crockford popularized the format; today it is the default choice for REST APIs, config files, and browser–server data exchange.
JSON uses double-quoted strings, commas, and explicit { } and [ ] structures. For many web apps it has replaced XML for payloads because it is smaller and simpler to parse. When APIs send JSON, the HTTP Content-Type is usually application/json.
About this JSON formatter
This tool is built for developers who need to debug and read JSON quickly. APIs often return compact JSON without line breaks — hard to scan. Formatting adds consistent indentation so you can see nesting, keys, and values at a glance. Minify does the opposite: it removes extra whitespace when you need a small payload or a single line for logs.
To validate and format, paste or upload your JSON, then click Format, Minify, or Validate. The result appears in the output panel; you can copy it or download it as a file. For validation-only with a larger editor area, you can also use our standalone JSON validator.
The tool is free, works in modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge), and runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Your JSON is processed in this tab — nothing is uploaded to our servers for formatting.
How to format JSON using this tool
- Type or paste your JSON into the input editor, or use Upload file to load a .json or .txt file.
- Click Format for indented output, Minify for a single line, or Validate to parse and pretty-print.
- If the JSON is invalid, an error message explains what went wrong (for example an unexpected comma or quote).
- Use Copy or Download to take the result into your project or file.
Features of this tool
Editing & formatting
Paste or upload JSON, then format with 2-space indentation or minify to compact text. All processing happens in your browser as you click the actions.
Fast feedback
You get formatted or minified output in moments — no queue and no server round-trip for the transform itself.
Safe and secure
Your JSON is not stored in a database for this feature: parsing and stringifying run locally in your browser tab.
Validates JSON
Invalid JSON surfaces a clear parse error so you can fix brackets, quotes, or commas. Valid input is normalized in the output panel.
Ways to load JSON
Besides typing and pasting, use Upload file to read a .json or .txt file from your machine into the editor.
Indentation & minify
Format expands structure for readability; Minify strips whitespace to reduce size. Both start from the same parsed tree so the data stays equivalent.
Copy & download
Copy the output to the clipboard in one click, or download it as formatted.json.
Works in your browser
No install required — open the page and use it. You only need a recent browser and an internet connection to load the site.
Free, no sign-up
There is no account or registration step to use this formatter.