JSON Formatter & Validator
Validate, beautify, and minify your JSON data instantly.
JSON Editor
How to Use This Tool
How to Format JSON
- **Format/Beautify:** Click this to parse the JSON and re-format it with standardized 2-space indentation, making it human-readable.
- **Minify:** Click this to remove all whitespace, making the JSON compact for transmission.
If your JSON is invalid, an error message will appear below the buttons, helping you debug the problem.
What is JSON?
JSON stands for **JavaScript Object Notation**. It is a lightweight, text-based data format that is easy for humans to read and write, and easy for machines to parse and generate.
It is the most common format used for transmitting data between a server and a web application (like in an API), replacing older formats like XML.
Key Concepts:
- Data is in **key/value pairs** (e.g., `"name": "John"`).
- Data is separated by commas.
- Curly braces `` hold **objects** (collections of key/value pairs).
- Square brackets `[]` hold **arrays** (lists of values).
- **Keys** must be strings in double quotes.
Common JSON Errors
This tool also acts as a validator. It will catch common errors like these:
| Error Type | Example | How to Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Trailing Comma | {"name": "John", "age": 30,} | Remove the final comma after the last value. |
| Single Quotes | {'name': 'John'} | JSON keys and string values **must** use double quotes (`"`). |
| Unquoted Keys | {name: "John"} | All keys must be wrapped in double quotes (e.g., `"name"`). |