JSON Formatter
Format, validate, and minify JSON instantly in your browser.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between formatting and minifying JSON?+
Formatting (pretty-printing) adds indentation and line breaks so the structure is easy to read. Minifying removes all whitespace, producing a compact string ideal for network transfer or storage. Both represent the exact same data; the difference is only in human and machine readability.
Does this tool validate my JSON?+
Yes. Clicking Format or Minify runs the input through JSON.parse(), which is the strictest JSON validator available in a browser. If the input is invalid, the exact parse error is shown. Valid JSON displays a green "Valid JSON" status.
Why does my JSON fail to parse?+
The most common causes are trailing commas (e.g. {"a":1,}), single-quoted strings instead of double-quoted, unquoted property names, or comments (JSON does not support comments). The error message includes the character position where parsing failed.
Is my JSON data sent to a server?+
No. All formatting and validation runs entirely in your browser using the built-in JSON.parse() and JSON.stringify() functions. Your data never leaves your machine, making this safe for sensitive or proprietary JSON.
How to use
- Paste or type JSON into the editor.
- Click Format to pretty-print with 2-space indentation.
- Click Minify to strip all whitespace.
- Any syntax errors are highlighted with the exact error message.