JSON Formatter
Beautify, validate, minify, and sort JSON without uploading anything.
Format, validate, minify, and sort JSON. Free, offline, runs entirely in your browser. Read more Show less
What is JSON formatting?
JSON is the standard data format for APIs and configuration files, but it is often transmitted or saved in a compact, hard-to-read form. Formatting (beautifying) adds indentation and line breaks so humans can read the structure. Minifying removes all non-essential whitespace before transmission or storage.
How to use
Paste JSON into the input box. Choose an indent size, then click Format to pretty-print or Minify to compact. Validation runs automatically: if the input is not valid JSON, the exact error and character position are shown.
Enable "Sort keys" to sort every object's keys alphabetically. This is useful for comparing two JSON documents by hand or normalising config files before committing them.
FAQ
Does this tool send my JSON anywhere?
No. Parsing and formatting run in your browser. Nothing is uploaded.
What indentation should I use?
2 spaces is the most common convention for JSON. Use 4 spaces if your project already uses tabs, or "Tab" to match an editor that expands tabs.
Why does my JSON fail to parse?
The most common causes: trailing commas (JSON forbids them), single quotes instead of double, comments, and unescaped control characters. The error message includes the position.
Can I format a large file?
Yes. The formatter handles multi-megabyte JSON. Very large documents may take a moment to render.