Why Format JSON?
JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is the standard for data exchange in web development. However, raw JSON from APIs often comes as a single line that's impossible to read. Our JSON Formatter beautifies JSON for readability and validates syntax.
Formatting Options
| Option | Output | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Spaces | Compact readable | Standard convention |
| 4 Spaces | More spread out | Deep nesting |
| Tab | Tab indentation | Personal preference |
| Minify | Single line | Production, APIs |
⚠️ Syntax Errors
Invalid JSON can't be formatted. Common errors: missing quotes around keys, trailing commas, single quotes instead of double. Our tool shows exactly where parsing failed.
Common Use Cases
API Debugging
When an API returns a minified JSON blob, paste it here to read the structure and find the data you need.
Configuration Files
Format package.json, tsconfig.json, or any config file for easier editing and comparison.
Data Preparation
Beautify before sharing JSON in documentation, or minify before embedding in code to reduce file size.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the size limit?
Browser-based processing handles most files under 5MB comfortably. Extremely large files may slow down or fail due to memory limits.
Does formatting change the data?
No! Only whitespace is modified. The actual data values remain identical. You can verify by comparing minified versions.
Can I format JSON with comments?
Standard JSON doesn't support comments. JSONC (JSON with Comments) is a superset—our tool handles standard JSON only.