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How to Format JSON Online: Simple Step-by-Step Guide

• 5 min read

Working with minified or unformatted JSON can be frustrating. Whether you're debugging API responses or reviewing configuration files, properly formatted JSON is essential. Learn how to beautify and format JSON online in seconds.

Why Format JSON?

  • 👁️Readability - Formatted JSON is much easier to read and understand
  • 🐛Debugging - Spot errors and issues quickly in properly indented JSON
  • 📝Code reviews - Share clean, readable JSON with your team
  • ✅Validation - Formatting reveals syntax errors immediately

How to Format JSON in 3 Easy Steps

Step 1: Copy Your JSON

Copy the JSON data you want to format from your API response, file, or anywhere else. It can be minified, compressed, or messy.

{"name":"John","age":30,"city":"New York","skills":["JavaScript","Python"]}

Step 2: Paste into JSON Formatter

Open an online JSON formatter and paste your data. The tool will automatically detect and format it with proper indentation and line breaks.

Step 3: Copy Formatted Result

Your JSON is now beautifully formatted! Copy it and use it in your code editor, documentation, or anywhere else.

{
  "name": "John",
  "age": 30,
  "city": "New York",
  "skills": [
    "JavaScript",
    "Python"
  ]
}

JSON Formatting Options

Prettify / Beautify

Adds proper indentation (2 or 4 spaces), line breaks, and spacing to make JSON human-readable. Perfect for debugging and code reviews.

Minify / Compress

Removes all unnecessary whitespace, creating the smallest possible file size. Useful for production deployments and API responses.

Validate

Checks if your JSON is valid and highlights any syntax errors. Identifies missing commas, brackets, or quotes instantly.

Common JSON Errors & How to Fix Them

❌ Trailing Commas

JSON doesn't allow commas after the last item in arrays or objects.

❌ Invalid:

{"name": "John",}

✅ Valid:

{"name": "John"}

❌ Single Quotes

JSON requires double quotes for strings, not single quotes.

❌ Invalid:

{'name': 'John'}

✅ Valid:

{"name": "John"}

❌ Missing Commas

Items in arrays and object properties must be separated by commas.

❌ Invalid:

{"name": "John" "age": 30}

✅ Valid:

{"name": "John", "age": 30}

Features of Good JSON Formatters

  • ✓Syntax highlighting - Colors make it easier to identify strings, numbers, and structure
  • ✓Error detection - Highlights problems with line numbers for easy fixing
  • ✓Indentation options - Choose 2 spaces, 4 spaces, or tabs
  • ✓Minify option - Compress JSON for production use
  • ✓Privacy - Processes JSON in your browser, never uploads data

Format JSON Instantly

Beautify, validate, and minify JSON with our free online formatter. Works instantly in your browser!

Use JSON Formatter →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my JSON data safe with online formatters?

Good JSON formatters process everything client-side in your browser. Your data never leaves your device, making it completely safe and private.

What's the difference between JSON and JavaScript objects?

JSON requires double quotes for all keys and string values, doesn't allow trailing commas, and doesn't support functions or undefined. It's a stricter subset of JavaScript object notation.

Can I format very large JSON files?

Yes! Modern browsers can handle JSON files of several megabytes. However, for extremely large files (100MB+), consider using command-line tools like jq.

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