JSON Formatter
Paste JSON — format it neatly, minify it, or get a clear error message if it's invalid.
How to use the JSON formatter
- Paste your JSON text into the field.
- Press "Format (pretty-print)" for readable indentation, or "Minify" for compact single-line format.
- If the JSON is invalid, a clear error message is shown instead of a result.
What are JSON formatters used for?
JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a common data format for APIs and configuration files, but raw JSON from an API response or log file is often compressed onto one long line that's hard to read. A formatter adds indentation and line breaks that make the structure clear — useful when debugging or trying to understand an unfamiliar API response.
Minification does the opposite: it strips all unnecessary whitespace to make the file size as small as possible, typically done before JSON is sent over the network in production.
Frequently asked questions
Why am I getting an error message?
The JSON text isn't valid JSON syntax — common causes are missing quotes around keys, a trailing comma at the end of a list, or unbalanced brackets/braces. The error message shows where in the text the problem was detected.
Is my JSON text sent to a server?
No. All formatting and validation happens locally in your own browser using JavaScript's built-in JSON parser.
Does formatting change the order of the keys?
No, the order of object keys and list elements is preserved exactly as in the original — only whitespace and line breaks change.