How to use the JSON Formatter & Validator
- 1 Paste your JSON into the input box.
- 2 Choose Beautify, Minify or Validate (and the indentation for beautify).
- 3 Copy or download the result, or read the validation message.
Make JSON readable
API responses and configuration files are often delivered as one long line of JSON. Beautifying adds line breaks and indentation so you can see the structure at a glance – nested objects, arrays and values each get their own line.
Minify for production
Minifying does the opposite: it removes all unnecessary whitespace to make the JSON as small as possible. That reduces payload size for APIs, local storage and configuration that is sent over the network.
Validate and find errors
Invalid JSON is one of the most common causes of failing API calls. The validator reports the problem so you can fix it quickly. Typical mistakes:
- Trailing commas:
{"a": 1,} - Single quotes instead of double quotes:
{'a': 1} - Unquoted keys:
{a: 1} - Comments, which standard JSON does not allow
- Unescaped line breaks or quotes inside strings
Your data stays private
JSON often contains API keys, tokens or customer records. This formatter runs entirely in your browser, so nothing you paste is uploaded or logged. Developers can use the same formatter through our API.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between formatting and validating?
Formatting (beautifying) changes the whitespace to make JSON readable. Validating only checks whether the JSON is syntactically correct. Both modes report invalid JSON.
Should I use 2 spaces, 4 spaces or tabs?
It is a matter of style. Two spaces is common in JavaScript projects and APIs, four spaces in Python and PHP, and tabs let every reader choose their own width.
Does the formatter change my data?
No. Only whitespace changes; keys, values and their order stay exactly the same.
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