Developer Tool

JSON Formatter

Format, validate, and minify JSON instantly. Customizable indentation, real-time validation, and detailed stats. 100% free, no signup required.

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About This JSON Formatter

A powerful, free JSON formatter and validator for developers. Format messy JSON with customizable indentation, validate syntax with detailed error messages, or minify for production use. All processing happens locally in your browser - your data never leaves your device.

Beautify JSON

Format messy JSON with customizable indentation (2, 4, 8 spaces or tabs).

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Minify JSON

Compress JSON by removing whitespace for smaller file sizes.

Validate Syntax

Real-time validation with line and column error positions.

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100% Private

All processing happens locally. Your JSON never leaves your browser.

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File Support

Upload .json files or download formatted results.

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JSON Stats

See key counts, nesting depth, data types, and structure analysis.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is JSON and why do I need to format it?
JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a lightweight data format used for storing and exchanging data between servers and web applications. Formatting JSON makes it human-readable by adding proper indentation and line breaks, which is essential for debugging, reviewing API responses, and understanding data structures.
Is this JSON formatter free to use?
Yes, this JSON formatter is completely free with no limits. Format, validate, and minify as much JSON as you need without signing up or paying anything.
Is my JSON data secure?
Absolutely. All JSON processing happens directly in your browser - your data never leaves your device or gets uploaded to any server. This makes it safe for formatting sensitive configuration files, API keys, or private data.
What is the difference between formatting and minifying JSON?
Formatting (beautifying) JSON adds indentation and line breaks to make it readable. Minifying removes all unnecessary whitespace to reduce file size, which is useful for production environments where smaller payloads improve performance.
How does JSON validation work?
The validator checks your JSON against the official JSON specification. It detects syntax errors like missing commas, unquoted keys, trailing commas, mismatched brackets, and invalid values.
Can I upload JSON files directly?
Yes, you can drag and drop JSON files or click to browse and upload. The tool accepts .json files and will automatically process them.
What indentation options are available?
You can choose from 2 spaces, 4 spaces, 8 spaces, or tabs for indentation. 2-space indentation is common for web development, while 4 spaces is the default for many languages.
Does this work offline?
Yes, once the page loads, you can format JSON without an internet connection. All processing is done client-side in your browser.

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