Use double quotes for keys and strings
Standard JSON uses double quotes around object keys and string values. A JavaScript-style {'name': 'Ada'} object is not valid JSON.
Free JSON Formatter & Validator Online
Paste JSON or open a file to format, validate, beautify, or minify it. Choose indentation, review parser errors, and copy or download the result in your browser with no login.
- Format and validate
- Minify to compact JSON
- 2 spaces, 4 spaces, or tabs
- Browser-side processing
JSON workspace
Format, validate, or minify
Paste JSON or load one local .json file. The parser and output stay in this browser.
89 input characters
Result
Run an action to see the result.
Your formatted JSON will appear here.
Input: 89 charactersReadable output
How to format, validate, or minify JSON
A direct path from pasted or local JSON to a result you can inspect before copying or downloading.
- Step 1
Paste or load your JSON
Paste a payload into the editor or choose a local .json file. Use Sample when you want a safe starting point, or Clear before replacing the current text.
- Step 2
Choose readable or compact output
Choose Format for indentation, Minify for compact output, or Validate when you only need a syntax check. Select 2 spaces, 4 spaces, or tabs for formatted JSON.
- Step 3
Check, copy, or download the result
Review the valid or invalid status, parser message, and character counts. Copy the result or download a .json file when the output is ready.
Common JSON syntax errors
When the parser rejects JSON, check the small rules that cause most copy-and-paste failures. The formatter reports the problem without silently rewriting your input.
Remove trailing commas
The final item in an object or array cannot be followed by a comma. Remove it before running the validator again.
Close every bracket and brace
Each opening { or [ needs a matching closing } or ]. For deeply nested data, check the nearest incomplete object or array first.
Comments are not standard JSON
Remove // and /* */ comments before parsing. JSONC and JSON5 support different syntax, so they need a compatible parser instead.
Choose the right JSON output
Formatting is a readability choice; minifying is a compactness choice. Use the output count and the next task to decide which result belongs in your project.
Two spaces for compact readability
Two spaces are a practical default for API examples, code reviews, and documentation because the nesting stays readable without making the file unnecessarily tall.
Four spaces or tabs for team style
Choose four spaces or tabs when that matches the surrounding project. Indentation changes whitespace only; it does not change the parsed values.
Minify when transport size matters
Minify removes non-essential spaces and line breaks. Compare the actual character counts before using the compact result in a request or stored payload.
Privacy, validation scope, and limits
A useful formatter should be clear about where it runs and what a valid parse does—and does not—prove.
Processing stays in this browser
The current page reads pasted text and selected files in the browser and creates the result locally. Avoid pasting secrets into any tool you have not independently reviewed.
Syntax validation is not JSON Schema validation
A successful parse confirms JSON grammar only. It does not check required fields, value ranges, types, permissions, or an API's business rules.
Large inputs depend on browser memory
Very large or deeply nested inputs can be limited by the device and browser. If the page becomes unresponsive, use a local editor or command-line parser for that file.
Privacy and limits
Use the result as a syntax check and formatting aid, then apply your project's own schema, security, and deployment checks.
- Validation checks standard JSON syntax, not JSON Schema or application-specific rules.
- Comments, single quotes, unquoted keys, and trailing commas are not valid standard JSON.
- Very large or deeply nested input may be limited by browser memory and parser behavior.
- The formatter does not auto-fix malformed JSON or guarantee that a valid parse is safe to deploy.
JSON Formatter FAQ
Straight answers about syntax, files, indentation, local processing, and the difference between valid JSON and a valid schema.
What is a JSON formatter?
A JSON formatter, also called a JSON beautifier or pretty printer, adds consistent indentation and line breaks to valid JSON so people can read and review its structure.
What is the difference between formatting and validating JSON?
Formatting changes whitespace and line breaks. Validation checks whether the text follows JSON syntax. This tool uses the browser parser for syntax checks; it does not check a separate JSON Schema or business rules.
Can I minify JSON here?
Yes. Choose Minify to remove non-essential whitespace and produce a compact JSON string. The result panel shows the actual output so you can compare it with the input.
Can I format a JSON file?
Yes. Choose a local .json file to load it into the editor, then format, validate, or minify it and download the resulting text.
Does JSON allow comments or trailing commas?
Standard JSON does not allow // or /* */ comments, and it does not allow a trailing comma after the final item in an object or array. JSONC and JSON5 are different syntaxes with their own parsers.
Does this validate JSON Schema?
No. It checks JSON syntax only. A valid parse does not prove that required fields, data types, or API-specific rules match a JSON Schema.
Is my JSON uploaded?
The current formatter processes pasted text and selected files in your browser and does not send the input to an external service. This describes this page's current implementation, not a general guarantee about every online formatter.
Can I use tabs or four spaces for indentation?
Yes. The formatter offers 2 spaces, 4 spaces, and tabs. Indentation changes the whitespace layout, not the parsed JSON values.
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