JSON Formatter & Validator
Format, beautify, minify, and validate your JSON data. Get instant syntax error detection with line numbers and detailed statistics about your JSON structure.
Paste your JSON above to format or validate it
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About JSON Formatting & Validation
JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is the most widely used data format for web APIs and configuration files. Properly formatted JSON improves readability and makes debugging easier, while validation ensures your data structure is correct.
Why Format JSON?
Minified JSON is difficult to read and debug. Formatting (or beautifying) adds proper indentation and line breaks, making the data structure clear at a glance. This is essential when working with API responses, configuration files, or any JSON data that needs human review.
When to Minify JSON
Minification removes all unnecessary whitespace, reducing file size. Use minified JSON in production environments, API responses, and anywhere bandwidth or storage matters. Smaller JSON means faster load times and reduced data transfer costs.
Common JSON Syntax Errors
- Trailing commas - JSON doesn't allow commas after the last item
- Single quotes - JSON requires double quotes for strings
- Unquoted keys - All object keys must be quoted
- Comments - JSON doesn't support comments (use JSON5 for that)
- Invalid values - undefined, NaN, and Infinity are not valid JSON
JSON vs Other Formats
JSON has become the standard for web APIs, largely replacing XML due to its simplicity and native JavaScript support. For configuration files, YAML and TOML offer more human-friendly syntax, but JSON remains popular for its wide language support and strict parsing rules.
Pro Tips:
- • Use 2-space indentation for compact but readable output
- • Always validate JSON before sending to APIs
- • Check for trailing commas when converting from JavaScript
- • Use a schema validator for complex data structures
- • Consider JSON5 for config files that need comments
Need Help With API Development?
Building APIs or working with complex JSON structures? Our team can help you design robust APIs, implement proper error handling, and optimize your data architecture.