JSON Formatter
Paste any JSON — messy, minified, or broken — and instantly get clean, indented output. Validate syntax, minify to save space, and copy the result with one click. All processing runs locally in your browser.
🔒 All processing happens locally in your browser — nothing is stored or sent to any server.
All processing happens locally in your browser — nothing is stored or sent to any server.
How to Use This JSON Formatter
- Paste your JSON into the input area — or click "Load sample" to try it out.
- Click Format to pretty-print with 2-space indentation, or Minify to compress.
- View stats: line count, character count, key count, and nesting depth.
- Click Copy to copy the result to your clipboard.
Tip: You can also press Ctrl+Enter to format, and the tool auto-formats on paste.
About JSON Formatting
JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is the most widely used data format for APIs, configuration files, and data interchange. When JSON is transmitted over a network, it's usually minified — all whitespace removed — to save bandwidth. But minified JSON is hard for humans to read and debug.
A JSON formatter restores readability by adding consistent indentation and line breaks. This is essential when debugging API responses, editing configuration files (like tsconfig.json, package.json, or .prettierrc), or reviewing data payloads. The formatter also validates your JSON — if there's a syntax error, it tells you where.
This tool uses your browser's built-in JSON.parse() and JSON.stringify() methods, so it handles all standard JSON including nested objects, arrays, Unicode strings, and special numbers. Nothing is sent to a server — your data stays private.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a JSON formatter do? ▼
A JSON formatter takes compressed or messy JSON text and adds consistent indentation and line breaks, making it readable for humans. For example, <code>{"name":"Alice","age":30}</code> becomes a properly indented multi-line object you can easily scan and edit.
What is the difference between formatting and minifying JSON? ▼
Formatting (pretty-printing) adds indentation and line breaks for readability. Minifying removes all unnecessary whitespace to produce the smallest possible JSON string. Use formatting when you need to read or edit JSON; use minifying when you need to transmit it over a network.
How do I validate JSON? ▼
Paste your JSON into the input area and click <strong>Format</strong>. If the JSON is valid, it will be reformatted and displayed in the output area. If it contains a syntax error, the tool will show an error message with the approximate location of the problem.
Is my JSON data sent to a server? ▼
No. All processing happens locally in your browser using JavaScript's built-in <code>JSON.parse</code> and <code>JSON.stringify</code>. Nothing is uploaded or stored anywhere. You can even use this tool offline once the page has loaded.
What JSON syntax errors are most common? ▼
The most common errors are: trailing commas (<code>[1, 2,]</code>), single quotes instead of double quotes (<code>{'key': 'value'}</code>), unquoted keys (<code>{key: "value"}</code>), and comments (JSON does not support <code>//</code> or <code>/* */</code> comments). This tool will catch all of them.
Can I format JSON with nested arrays and objects? ▼
Yes. The formatter handles arbitrarily deep nesting. Each level of nesting gets its own indentation level, making complex structures like API responses, configuration files, and nested data easy to read.
What does the depth stat mean? ▼
Depth indicates the maximum nesting level in your JSON. A flat object like <code>{"a": 1}</code> has depth 1. An object containing an object containing an object has depth 3. Deeply nested structures can be harder to parse mentally — the depth counter helps you spot them.