About the JSON Formatter & Validator
JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is the most common format for APIs, configuration files and data exchange, but raw JSON is often delivered as one long unreadable line. The JSON Formatter & Validator turns it into a neatly indented structure you can actually read, and tells you immediately whether it is valid.
When the JSON is broken, the validator shows the error message along with the exact line and column, and highlights the problem character, so you can quickly fix missing commas, unquoted keys, trailing commas or mismatched brackets. You can also minify JSON to reduce payload size, sort keys alphabetically for easier comparison, choose 2-space, 4-space or tab indentation, and download the result as a .json file.
How to use the JSON Formatter & Validator
- Paste your JSON into the input box; it is validated automatically.
- Click Format to beautify, Minify to compress, or Sort keys to order properties.
- If there is an error, read the line and column and fix the highlighted character.
- Copy or download the result.
Frequently asked questions
Is my JSON data sent to a server?
No. Parsing and formatting use your browser's built-in JSON engine, so API keys and private data stay on your device.
Why is my JSON invalid?
The most common causes are trailing commas, single quotes instead of double quotes, unquoted property names, and comments, none of which are allowed in standard JSON.
What is the difference between formatting and minifying?
Formatting adds indentation and line breaks for readability. Minifying removes all unnecessary whitespace to make the file as small as possible.
