JSON Formatter
Format, validate, and minify JSON with clear error messages.
Runs entirely in your browser — your data never leaves this page.
About the JSON Formatter
The JSON Formatter beautifies, validates, and minifies JSON directly in your browser. Paste raw or minified JSON and get clean, indented output with a clear error message pointing to the exact problem when the syntax is invalid — no more hunting for a missing comma or bracket.
Whether you are debugging an API response, tidying up a config file, or shrinking JSON for production, this free online JSON validator and beautifier handles it instantly. Nothing is uploaded to a server, so it is safe to paste sensitive payloads.
How to use it
- 1Paste your JSON into the input panel on the left.
- 2Click Format to pretty-print it with 2- or 4-space indentation, or Minify to strip all whitespace.
- 3If the JSON is invalid, read the inline error message to find and fix the syntax problem.
- 4Copy the formatted result with one click.
Common use cases
- Debugging and reading API responses
- Validating JSON before committing config files
- Minifying JSON to reduce payload size
- Reformatting machine-generated JSON into a readable shape
Frequently asked questions
Is this JSON formatter free and private?
Yes. It is completely free and runs entirely in your browser using the native JSON parser. Your data is never uploaded, logged, or sent to any server, so it is safe to paste confidential JSON.
What is the difference between formatting and minifying JSON?
Formatting (beautifying) adds indentation and line breaks so JSON is easy for humans to read. Minifying removes all unnecessary whitespace to produce the smallest possible output, which is useful for reducing file size in production.
Why does my JSON show an error?
The tool uses strict JSON parsing. Common causes are trailing commas, single quotes instead of double quotes, unquoted keys, or comments — none of which are valid JSON. The error message points to where parsing failed.