JSON Formatter
Free Online JSON Formatter & Validator
Paste JSON below to beautify, validate, minify, sort keys, copy, upload, or download it. Everything runs in your browser, so your JSON is not uploaded or stored.
Formatting options
Advanced settings
Your Privacy Matters
All processing happens in your browser. Your text is never sent to our servers.
How to use JSON Formatter
Follow these simple steps to use the tool.
- 1 Paste JSON into the input editor.
- 2 Click "Format" to beautify it with indentation.
- 3 Click "Validate" to check if the JSON is valid.
- 4 Click "Minify" to compress JSON into one line.
- 5 Use "Sort Keys" if you want object keys alphabetically sorted.
- 6 Copy or download the output as a .json file.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about our JSON Formatter tool.
What is a JSON formatter?
A JSON formatter converts compact or messy JSON into readable, indented JSON. It also helps developers inspect API responses, configuration files, and structured data.
How do I beautify JSON online?
Paste your JSON into the input box and click "Format". The tool parses the JSON and outputs readable JSON with indentation.
Can this tool validate JSON?
Yes. The tool checks whether your JSON is valid and shows an error message when the JSON cannot be parsed.
Can I minify JSON?
Yes. Click "Minify" to remove extra whitespace and convert valid JSON into a compact single-line format.
Is my JSON uploaded to a server?
No. The free JSON formatter processes your JSON in your browser. Your JSON is not uploaded, stored, or sent to a server.
Can I upload a JSON file?
Yes. The tool supports uploading a .json or .txt file and reading it locally in your browser.
Does this tool fix invalid JSON automatically?
The tool shows clear errors but does not silently change invalid JSON. However, there is an option to auto-fix single quotes into double quotes.
Why does JSON require double quotes?
JSON syntax strictly requires object keys and string values to use double quotes. Single quotes are not valid JSON.
About JSON Formatter
Format, beautify, validate, minify, sort, copy, upload, and download JSON online for free.
JSON Beautifier and Pretty Printer
Reading raw JSON is difficult, especially when the data is minified for network transfers. Our JSON Beautifier acts as a pretty printer, instantly formatting messy data into structured, indented text.
You can customize the indentation level (2 spaces, 4 spaces, or tabs) to match your team's styling preferences.
JSON Validator with Error Messages
A single missing comma or unquoted key can break an entire application. The built-in JSON Validator runs a strict parser on your data to ensure it complies with the JSON specification.
If your JSON is invalid, the tool stops and displays an error message explaining the issue, such as an unexpected token or a missing closing bracket.
JSON Minifier
When preparing JSON data for production environments or API responses, you often need to reduce the payload size. The JSON Minifier removes all unnecessary whitespace, line breaks, and formatting to produce a compact, single-line string.
Sort JSON Keys
Finding specific values in a massive JSON object can be time-consuming. The Sort Keys feature recursively alphabetizes the keys within your objects, making it easier to scan properties.
This sorting only applies to object keys—array items remain in their original, intended order.
Common JSON Errors
JSON is strict. Some of the most common syntax errors include:
- Trailing commas: Placing a comma after the last item in an array or object.
- Single quotes: Using single quotes (') instead of double quotes (") for keys or strings.
- Unquoted keys: Forgetting to wrap object property names in double quotes.
- Missing braces: Forgetting a closing bracket
]or brace}. - Comments: Standard JSON does not support comments (like
//or/* */).