JSON Formatter

About this tool

JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a lightweight, human-readable data format used across virtually every web API and configuration file. A JSON formatter—also called a JSON beautifier or JSON pretty printer—takes raw, minified, or poorly indented JSON and restructures it with consistent indentation so it is easy to read and debug. This tool also validates your JSON as it formats: if the input is malformed (a missing comma, an unclosed bracket), it reports the exact error. Use the Minify button to strip all whitespace for production payloads where file size matters.

How to use

1. 1Paste your JSON into the input panel on the left.
2. 2Your JSON is formatted automatically — syntax errors appear highlighted in red.
3. 3Choose your indentation style: 2 spaces, 4 spaces, or tab.
4. 4Click "Minify" to compress into a single line, or "Copy" to copy the formatted result.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between formatting and minifying JSON?

Formatting (or beautifying) adds newlines and spaces so a human can read the structure at a glance. Minifying does the opposite—it removes all unnecessary whitespace to produce the smallest possible string, which reduces bandwidth when transmitting JSON over a network.

How does this tool validate JSON?

It passes your input through JSON.parse(), the same function JavaScript engines use natively. If parsing fails, the error message—including the position of the problem—is shown. This means the validator follows the ECMAScript JSON specification exactly.

Does my JSON leave my browser?

No. Formatting and validation happen entirely inside your browser using JavaScript. Nothing is ever uploaded to a server.

What indentation options are available?

2 spaces, 4 spaces, or a tab character. 2 spaces is the most common convention in JavaScript projects; 4 spaces matches Python and C-style conventions; tab is preferred in some Go and Makefile contexts.