JSON Formatter
Format and validate JSON data
How to Use the JSON Formatter:
- 1 Paste your unformatted or minified JSON data into the "Input JSON" text area.
- 2 Click the "Format JSON" button.
- 3 The beautified and validated JSON will appear in the "Formatted Output" area.
- 4 If there are errors in your JSON, they will be displayed below the input areas.
- 5 Click "Copy" to copy the formatted JSON to your clipboard.
What is JSON and Why Format It?
JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a lightweight data-interchange format that is easy for humans to read and write and easy for machines to parse and generate. It has become the standard for transmitting data between a server and a web application, as an alternative to XML.
However, JSON data is often transmitted in a "minified" format—with all whitespace removed—to save bandwidth. This makes it nearly impossible to read. A JSON formatter, or beautifier, adds indentation and line breaks, transforming a compact string into a readable, hierarchical structure. This is essential for:
- Debugging: Quickly spot syntax errors, missing commas, or mismatched brackets.
- Readability: Easily understand the structure and nesting of the data.
- Development: Work more efficiently with API responses and configuration files.