JSON Formatter
This JSON Formatter helps you take raw or unstructured JSON data and turn it into a clean, readable, and valid JSON output. It highlights structural problems, applies consistent formatting, and lets you switch between human-friendly and compact forms depending on how you plan to use the data.
Whether you are debugging an API response, reviewing a config file, or preparing JSON for storage or transmission, the output clearly reflects the actual structure of the data — objects, arrays, nesting levels, and values — without altering the meaning of the content.
How JSON Formatting Works
JSON formatting starts by parsing the input text into a valid JavaScript object model. If the input contains syntax errors such as missing commas, unmatched braces, or invalid values, parsing fails and no formatted output is produced.
Once the JSON is successfully parsed, the formatter re-serializes it using your chosen options. Pretty formatting inserts line breaks and indentation to make nested structures easier to understand, while minified formatting removes all unnecessary whitespace to produce the smallest possible representation.
Inputs and Options Explained
The tool gives you control over how the formatted output is generated. These options affect readability and structure, but they never change the underlying data values.
- Format mode — Choose between Pretty (multi-line, indented output) and Minified (single-line, compact output).
- Indent size — Controls how many spaces are used for each nesting level when Pretty formatting is selected.
- Sort object keys — Outputs object properties in alphabetical order for consistent diffs and easier comparisons.
- Compact arrays — Attempts to keep simple or short arrays on a single line to reduce vertical noise.
Examples and Edge Cases
If your input JSON is already valid but poorly formatted, the output will simply reorganize whitespace and indentation. If the input contains invalid syntax, the formatter will not guess or auto-correct values — this avoids silently producing incorrect data.
Sorting keys only affects objects, not arrays. Numeric values, strings, booleans, and nulls are preserved exactly as provided. Duplicate keys are handled according to standard JSON parsing rules, where later keys override earlier ones.
Who Should Use This Tool
This tool is useful for anyone who works with JSON as a data interchange format, regardless of experience level.
- Developers debugging API responses or config files
- QA engineers validating request and response payloads
- Data analysts inspecting structured exports
- Students learning how JSON structure works
Related Concepts
JSON is a strict data format with well-defined rules. Formatting tools work only when those rules are followed.
- JSON validation — Ensuring the text conforms to the JSON specification before processing.
- Minification — Removing whitespace to reduce payload size for storage or network transfer.
- Pretty printing — Reformatting data to make nested structures easier to read and understand.
If you need to move JSON data between formats, you can convert structured JSON into spreadsheets using the JSON to CSV Converter. For validating complex schemas rather than just syntax, the JSON Schema Validator can help ensure your data matches an expected structure.