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  1. Toolkernel
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  3. JSON Tools
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  5. Formatter

JSON Formatter & Validator Online

Format, beautify, validate, compare, and minify JSON data

Your data never leaves your device
Paste or upload JSON
Loading editor...
Ctrl+Ffind|▾ click to fold|use buttons to collapse/expand all
Formatted JSON will appear here...

How to Format JSON Online

  1. 1
    Paste Your JSON
    Copy JSON from an API response, config file, log entry, or any source and paste it into the left editor panel.
  2. 2
    Click Format / Beautify
    Choose your preferred indentation (2, 4, or 8 spaces) and click the button. The tool adds proper line breaks and indentation instantly.
  3. 3
    Review & Fix Errors
    If your JSON has syntax errors, the tool shows the exact line number and a clear error message. Click "Fix JSON" to auto-repair common issues.
  4. 4
    Copy or Download
    Copy the formatted JSON to your clipboard with one click, or download it as a .json file for use in your project.

Key Features

Format & Beautify

Transform minified or poorly formatted JSON into clean, indented output. Choose between 2, 4, or 8 space indentation to match your project standards.

Validate Syntax

Instantly detect JSON syntax errors with precise line numbers and character positions. Get clear error messages that explain exactly what went wrong and where.

Minify for Production

Strip all whitespace, line breaks, and indentation to produce the smallest possible JSON output. Reduces payload size for API responses and configuration files.

Compare & Diff

Compare two JSON structures side-by-side with semantic diff detection. Understands JSON structure to identify added, removed, and modified values — not just text changes.

Auto-Fix Errors

Automatically repair common JSON issues: trailing commas, missing quotes, single quotes, Python True/False/None values, JavaScript comments, and more.

Transform & Convert

Sort keys alphabetically, remove null or empty values, flatten nested structures, generate TypeScript interfaces, and decode Base64 or URL-encoded JSON.

Common Use Cases

API Development

Format API responses for debugging, validate request payloads before sending, and compare API versions to catch breaking changes.

Configuration Files

Validate package.json, tsconfig.json, and other config files. Catch syntax errors before they cause build failures.

Data Analysis

Beautify raw JSON data dumps for inspection. Flatten nested structures for easier processing and extract specific fields.

Code Reviews

Compare JSON fixtures, mock data, or config changes between branches. Semantic diff highlights meaningful changes, not formatting noise.

Log Parsing

Format single-line JSON log entries for readability. Validate structured logging output and inspect complex nested payloads.

Database Exports

Format MongoDB documents, CouchDB exports, or any JSON-based database output for human review and documentation.

Safe for Sensitive Data

Unlike other online JSON formatters that upload your data to servers, our tool processes everything locally in your browser using JavaScript. Your JSON data — including API keys, credentials, and personal information — never leaves your device.

No data uploaded to any server
Works offline after page load
No account required
No data logging or tracking

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I format JSON online?

Paste your JSON into the input panel and click 'Format / Beautify'. The tool adds proper indentation and line breaks instantly. You can choose 2, 4, or 8 space indentation. The formatted result can be copied or downloaded as a .json file.

How do I validate JSON syntax?

Paste your JSON and click 'Validate'. The tool checks for syntax errors and displays detailed error messages with the exact line number and character position. Common errors include missing commas, unquoted keys, and trailing commas.

What is the difference between JSON formatting and minification?

Formatting (beautifying) adds indentation and line breaks to make JSON human-readable. Minification removes all unnecessary whitespace to reduce file size. Use formatting during development for readability, and minification in production to save bandwidth.

Can I compare two JSON files?

Yes. Switch to Compare mode using the toolbar. Paste JSON into both panels and the tool highlights differences using semantic comparison — it understands JSON structure rather than just comparing text line by line.

Is my JSON data safe when using this tool?

Yes. All processing happens 100% in your browser using JavaScript. Your JSON data is never sent to any server. This makes it safe for formatting JSON containing API keys, credentials, or other sensitive information.

Can this tool fix invalid JSON?

Yes. If the validator detects fixable errors (trailing commas, missing quotes, single quotes, Python True/False/None, comments), a 'Fix JSON' button appears. Click it to automatically repair all detected issues. For more complex repairs, try the dedicated Auto-Fix tool.

What JSON transformations are available?

Beyond formatting and minifying, the tool can sort keys alphabetically, remove null values, remove empty strings, flatten nested structures, generate TypeScript interfaces, and decode Base64-encoded or URL-encoded JSON.

Does the JSON formatter work offline?

Yes. After the initial page load, the formatter works entirely offline since all processing runs in your browser. No internet connection is needed to format, validate, or minify JSON.

Related JSON Tools

JSON Compare

Compare two JSON files with semantic diff

JSON Auto-Fix

Automatically repair invalid JSON errors

All JSON Tools

Complete guide and documentation