What is JSON Formatter?
A JSON Formatter formats, validates, prettifies, and minifies JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) data. JSON is the universal data interchange format used by REST APIs, configuration files, and web services worldwide.
Why JSON Formatting Matters
JSON data from APIs often arrives minified with no whitespace. Formatted JSON with proper indentation reveals the data structure at a glance, making it easier to spot missing commas, mismatched brackets, and incorrect nesting.
How to Use JSON Formatter
- Paste your JSON data into the input textarea above
- Format - Click to prettify with 2-space indentation
- Minify - Click to compress JSON into a single line
- Validate - Click to check for syntax errors
- Copy the output using the copy button
Key Features
- Pretty Print - Formats JSON with 2-space indentation
- Syntax Validation - Detects trailing commas, missing quotes, and other errors
- Minification - Strips whitespace for production
- One-Click Copy - Copies output directly to clipboard
JSON Data Types Reference
| Type | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|
| String | "Hello World" | Double-quoted text |
| Number | 42, 3.14 | Integer or floating point |
| Boolean | true, false | Logical values |
| Null | null | Empty value |
| Object | {"key": "value"} | Key-value pairs |
| Array | ["a", "b", "c"] | Ordered list |
Common JSON Errors
- Trailing commas -
{"a": 1,}is invalid - Single quotes - JSON requires double quotes for strings
- Missing quotes on keys - Object keys must be quoted
- Comments - JSON does not support comments
Frequently Asked Questions
Is JSON the same as JavaScript?
No. JSON is a language-independent data format inspired by JavaScript syntax but can be parsed by any programming language.
Can JSON contain comments?
Standard JSON does not support comments. Consider using JSON5 or YAML for configuration files that need annotations.
Does formatting affect JSON data?
No. Formatting and minifying are purely cosmetic operations that do not alter the underlying data.