JSON Formatter
Format, validate, and beautify JSON instantly
Free online JSON formatter and validator tool. Format, validate, beautify, and minify JSON code. Check JSON syntax errors instantly. Perfect for developers working with APIs, configuration files, and data processing. No installation required.
How to format and validate JSON?
Using our JSON formatter and validator is straightforward:
- Paste your JSON code into the input box (or start typing).
- The tool automatically validates your JSON syntax as you type.
- If valid, the formatted JSON will appear in the output box with proper indentation.
- If there are errors, you'll see clear error messages indicating the problem.
- Use the 'Minify' option to compress JSON for production use.
- Copy the formatted or minified JSON code for use in your projects.
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What is JSON?
JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a lightweight data-interchange format that's easy for humans to read and write, and easy for machines to parse and generate. It's based on a subset of JavaScript and is widely used for transmitting data between servers and web applications, storing configuration files, and representing structured data.
Why format JSON?
- Readability: Formatted JSON with proper indentation is much easier to read and understand.
- Debugging: Well-formatted JSON makes it easier to spot errors and understand data structure.
- Code review: Formatted JSON is essential for code reviews and collaboration.
- Documentation: Properly formatted JSON serves as better documentation.
- Maintenance: Easier to maintain and modify formatted JSON files.
Common JSON use cases
- API responses: Most REST APIs return data in JSON format.
- Configuration files: Many applications use JSON for configuration (package.json, tsconfig.json, etc.).
- Data storage: JSON is used in NoSQL databases like MongoDB.
- Web applications: JSON is the standard format for data exchange in modern web apps.
- Mobile apps: JSON is commonly used for mobile app data storage and API communication.
- Data processing: JSON is used for ETL processes and data transformation.
JSON validation importance
- Error prevention: Validating JSON prevents runtime errors in applications.
- Data integrity: Ensures data structure matches expected format.
- API compatibility: Valid JSON is required for API requests and responses.
- Debugging: Validation helps identify syntax errors quickly.
- Security: Validating JSON helps prevent injection attacks and malformed data issues.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is JSON formatting?
JSON formatting adds proper indentation, line breaks, and spacing to JSON code, making it easier to read and understand. It doesn't change the data, just the presentation.
What makes JSON invalid?
Common JSON errors include missing quotes around keys, trailing commas, single quotes instead of double quotes, comments, and undefined values. JSON must follow strict syntax rules.
Can I format minified JSON?
Yes! Our tool can format minified (compressed) JSON by adding proper indentation and line breaks, making it readable again.
What's the difference between formatting and minifying?
Formatting adds whitespace and indentation to make JSON readable. Minifying removes all unnecessary whitespace to reduce file size for production use.
Is formatted JSON larger than minified JSON?
Yes, formatted JSON includes whitespace and line breaks, making it larger. Minified JSON removes all unnecessary characters, resulting in smaller file sizes.
Can this tool handle large JSON files?
The tool works best with JSON files up to a few megabytes. For very large files, consider using command-line tools or specialized JSON processors.