The Free JSON Formatter

What is JSON?

JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a lightweight data-interchange format. It is easy for humans to read and write, and easy for machines to parse and generate. JSON is language-independent but uses conventions familiar to programmers of the C family.

When working with APIs, configuration files, or data pipelines, JSON is often minified to save bandwidth — making it nearly impossible to read at a glance. A JSON formatter restores that readability by adding proper indentation and line breaks.

// Minified (hard to read):
{"name":"Alice","age":30,"roles":["admin","editor"]}

// Formatted (easy to read):
{
  "name": "Alice",
  "age": 30,
  "roles": [
    "admin",
    "editor"
  ]
}

How to use this JSON formatter

1. 1

   Paste your JSON

   Copy raw or minified JSON from your API response, config file, or clipboard and paste it into the input field on the left.

2. 2

   Format or Minify

   Click "Format" to prettify with indentation, or "Minify" to compress it into a single line. The tool auto-formats as you type.

3. 3

   Check for errors

   If your JSON is invalid, the error line below the output shows exactly what went wrong and where.

4. 4

   Copy the result

   Hit the "Copy" button to grab the formatted output and paste it wherever you need it.

Frequently asked questions