Introduction
The JSON Formatter and Validator helps developers clean, validate, minify, repair, and inspect JSON directly in the browser. It is useful for API responses, configuration files, webhook payloads, logs, localization files, and copied snippets that need quick structure checks.
How to Use
Paste JSON into the editor or upload a local .json file. Use Format to beautify it, Minify to compress it, Sort Keys for stable output, or Repair to fix common JSON-like mistakes. Switch between text, tree, and table views to inspect the data, then copy or download the result.
Features
- •Beautify JSON with 2 spaces, 4 spaces, or tabs
- •Validate JSON and show readable syntax errors
- •Minify JSON for compact transfer or storage
- •Light repair for comments, trailing commas, single quotes, and unquoted keys
- •Sort object keys for easier diffing
- •Tree view with expand and collapse controls
- •Table view for arrays of objects
- •Upload, copy, download, escape, and unescape JSON
- •Local browser processing with no server upload
Why Formatting JSON Helps
Raw JSON is often hard to read when it arrives as a single line from an API, log, or database export. Formatting adds indentation so nested objects and arrays are easier to scan. Minifying does the opposite: it removes unnecessary whitespace when you need a compact payload.
Validation vs Repair
Validation checks whether your input is valid JSON according to the JSON standard. Repair tries to clean up common JSON-like input, such as pasted JavaScript object literals with trailing commas or single quotes. Repair is helpful, but you should still validate the final result before using it in production.
Tree View and Table View
Tree view is best for nested objects because you can expand only the branches you care about. Table view is best for a top-level array of similar objects, such as API list results, exported records, or event logs.
Privacy-Friendly Debugging
The formatter runs locally in your browser. That makes it convenient for everyday debugging, but you should still avoid pasting secrets, access tokens, private customer data, or regulated information into any online tool unless your security policy allows it.
JSON Action Guide
Pick the action that matches your workflow.
| Action | Use It When | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Format | JSON is valid but hard to read | Indented, readable structure |
| Minify | You need compact JSON | Whitespace removed |
| Validate | You need to confirm syntax | Error details or valid status |
| Repair | Input is JSON-like but invalid | Common issues cleaned up |
| Sort keys | You want stable diffs | Object keys ordered consistently |
Common JSON Errors
Frequent problems found when copying data from code, logs, or documentation.
| Error | Example | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Trailing comma | {"a":1,} | Remove the final comma |
| Single quotes | {'a':1} | Use double quotes |
| Unquoted keys | {a:1} | Quote property names |
| Comments | {"a":1 // note} | Remove comments |
| Missing comma | {"a":1 "b":2} | Add comma between properties |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my JSON uploaded to a server?
No. Formatting, validation, repair, and file reading happen locally in your browser.
Can this tool repair invalid JSON?
It can repair common JSON-like issues, but it is not a guarantee for every broken file. Always validate the repaired output.
When does table view work best?
Table view works best when the JSON output is a top-level array of objects with similar keys, such as an API list response.
What is the difference between formatting and minifying?
Formatting adds indentation and line breaks for readability. Minifying removes whitespace to make the JSON smaller.
Can I sort JSON keys?
Yes. Sorting keys can make output easier to compare in version control, tests, and code reviews.