What is a JSON formatter?

A JSON formatter is a tool that takes raw JSON data and formats it with proper indentation and line breaks, making it easier to read and understand. Our JSON formatter automatically adds 2-space indentation, organizes nested objects and arrays, and highlights syntax for better visibility.

How do I format JSON online?

To format JSON online: 1) Paste your JSON into the editor, 2) Click the "Format" button, 3) Your JSON will be instantly formatted with proper indentation. You can also use Ctrl+V to paste and the formatter will automatically beautify valid JSON.

Is this JSON formatter free to use?

Yes, jsonformatter.me is completely free to use with no limitations. There are no signup requirements, no ads, and no data limits. You can format, validate, and view as much JSON as you need.

Is my JSON data secure?

Yes, your JSON data is 100% secure. All processing happens directly in your browser - no data is ever sent to our servers. Your JSON never leaves your computer, making it safe for sensitive data.

What is the difference between JSON formatter and JSON viewer?

A JSON formatter beautifies JSON text with proper indentation, while a JSON viewer provides an interactive way to explore JSON data through tree views, graphs, or other visualizations. Our tool includes both - you can format JSON in the editor and explore it in the Tree View tab.

Can this tool fix invalid JSON?

Yes! Our JSON formatter includes an intelligent auto-fix feature that can correct common JSON errors like trailing commas, single quotes instead of double quotes, unquoted keys, and missing commas. It will show you what was fixed automatically.

What is JSON? A Complete Guide to JavaScript Object Notation

JSON Definition

JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a lightweight, text-based data format used to store and exchange data. Despite its name, JSON is language-independent and can be used with virtually any programming language.

JSON was derived from JavaScript but has become the standard data format for web APIs, configuration files, and data storage. It's human-readable, easy to parse, and supported by every major programming language.

JSON Example

Here's a simple JSON example representing a user:

{
  "name": "John Doe",
  "age": 30,
  "email": "john@example.com",
  "isActive": true,
  "address": {
    "city": "New York",
    "country": "USA"
  },
  "hobbies": ["reading", "coding", "gaming"]
}

JSON Data Types

JSON supports six data types:

String

"Hello World"

Number

42, 3.14, -10

Boolean

true, false

Null

null

Array

[1, 2, 3]

Object

{"key": "value"}

Why Use JSON?

Human-readable: Easy to read and write compared to XML or binary formats
Lightweight: Minimal syntax means smaller file sizes
Universal support: Works with JavaScript, Python, Java, PHP, and every major language
Native to JavaScript: Parse and stringify with built-in methods
API standard: The default format for REST APIs and web services

Common Uses of JSON

Web APIs: Nearly all modern REST APIs use JSON to send and receive data between servers and clients.

Configuration files: Many applications use JSON for settings (package.json, tsconfig.json, etc.).

Data storage: NoSQL databases like MongoDB store data in JSON-like formats.

Data exchange: Sharing data between different systems and programming languages.

JSON Syntax Rules

• Data is in key/value pairs
• Keys must be strings in double quotes
• Values can be strings, numbers, booleans, null, arrays, or objects
• Data is separated by commas
• Objects are enclosed in curly braces {}
• Arrays are enclosed in square brackets []
• No trailing commas allowed
• No comments allowed in standard JSON

Try Our JSON Formatter

Format, validate, and explore your JSON data with our free online tool.

Open JSON Formatter