How to use JSON Formatter
Paste your raw or unformatted JSON into the Input panel on the left. Click Format to auto-indent and pretty-print the JSON with 2-space indentation, making nested objects and arrays easy to scan at a glance. Switch to Minify mode to strip all whitespace — producing the most compact output for use in API requests, environment variables, or production config files.
The formatter validates your JSON in real time. If your input contains a syntax error — an unclosed bracket, a trailing comma after the last item, an unquoted property key, or single-quoted strings — the error message will identify the problem precisely. Fix the error and click Format again. Once formatting succeeds, click Copy to send the output directly to your clipboard, ready to paste into your editor, terminal, or API client.
Why use our JSON Formatter?
- 100% browser-based — your JSON never leaves your device or touches any server
- Instant syntax validation: catches trailing commas, missing quotes, unmatched brackets, and unquoted keys
- Format and minify in one tool — no need to switch between sites for different tasks
- Safe for sensitive payloads — API keys, OAuth tokens, and private user data stay local
- Works offline after the first load — no internet connection required to format or validate
Frequently Asked Questions
What is JSON formatting and why does it matter?
JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is the data format used by virtually every web API. Formatting — also called pretty-printing or beautifying — adds consistent indentation and line breaks so that deeply nested structures become human-readable. Raw API responses and minified config files often arrive as a single long line that is nearly impossible to debug by eye. A formatted version makes the hierarchy immediately visible, saving significant time when reviewing payloads, troubleshooting webhook data, or reading configuration files before committing them to version control.
What is the difference between JSON formatting and minifying?
Formatting (beautifying) adds whitespace — indentation and newlines — to make JSON easy for humans to read. Minifying does the opposite: it removes all unnecessary whitespace to produce the smallest possible representation. Use formatting when reviewing, debugging, or editing JSON manually. Use minifying when preparing JSON for production: sending it as a request body, embedding it in an environment variable, storing it in a database column, or including it in source code where size or character limits matter.
Is it safe to paste sensitive JSON data into this tool?
Yes. This formatter runs entirely inside your browser using JavaScript's native JSON.parse() and JSON.stringify() APIs. Your data is never transmitted to any server, never stored, and never logged. You can safely paste API keys, authentication tokens, payment data, private user records, or any other sensitive JSON payload. Closing or refreshing the page clears all input and output immediately.
What JSON syntax errors does the validator catch?
The validator catches all errors that violate the JSON specification: missing or mismatched braces and brackets, trailing commas after the last item in an object or array (not allowed in standard JSON, unlike JavaScript), unquoted property keys (valid in JavaScript objects but not in JSON), single-quoted strings instead of double quotes, invalid escape sequences inside strings, and bare control characters. The error message pinpoints the problem so you can fix it quickly and re-format.
Can I format JSON copied from a browser's Network tab or an API client?
Yes — that is one of the most common use cases. When you inspect an API response in Chrome DevTools, Postman, Insomnia, or curl output, the response body is often a minified single-line string. Paste it here and click Format to instantly get a readable, indented view. This is useful when debugging REST APIs, reviewing GraphQL responses, inspecting webhook payloads, or reading data returned from services like Stripe, Twilio, Slack, or GitHub.