JSON Formatter & Validator

Format, beautify, minify and validate JSON instantly. Syntax highlighting, error detection with line numbers, stats, and one-click copy. Works entirely in your browser — no data sent anywhere.

Input JSON
Output
Output will appear here…

What is JSON?

JSON is a simple text format for storing and exchanging data. It is easy for people to read and for software to understand, and is used by almost every app and website.

Valid JSON Example
{"name":"John","age":30,"active":true}

JSON Data Types

Type Example
String "hello world"
Number 42, 3.14, -7
Boolean true, false
Null null
Object {"key": "value"}
Array [1, 2, 3]

Common JSON Errors

Error Cause Fix
Unexpected token Missing comma or bracket Add the missing , or }
Unexpected string Trailing comma Remove last comma
Unexpected end Unclosed bracket Close all { } [ ]
Invalid key Key not in quotes Wrap keys in " "
Single quotes Used ' instead of " Replace all ' with "
Undefined/NaN JS value not valid in JSON Use null instead

JSON vs a Plain Object

JSON keys must always be in double quotes. JSON does not allow comments, functions, undefined or NaN. Always check your JSON before sending it anywhere.

How It Works

This tool checks your text, then formats valid JSON with the indentation you choose. If the JSON is invalid, it tells you what is wrong. Nothing is saved or shared.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything about JSON formatting and validation

Formatting (beautifying) adds indentation and line breaks so JSON is easy to read. Minifying removes all spaces and line breaks to make it as compact as possible, which means a smaller file. Use formatted JSON for reading and checking, minified JSON for sharing or storing.
The most common causes are: trailing commas after the last item in an object or array (not allowed in JSON), single quotes instead of double quotes, keys without quotes, comments in the JSON (not allowed), undefined or NaN values, or unclosed brackets. The error message in this tool will point to the exact location of the issue.
Yes. Your JSON is never saved or shared. Everything is checked and formatted on your device.
Both are widely used. 2 spaces is popular for web projects and 4 spaces is common in Python projects. Tabs appear in some older projects. It is purely a matter of taste and does not affect whether the JSON is valid.
No. Standard JSON does not allow comments. Adding // or /* */ makes the JSON invalid. If you need notes in a settings file, use a format that supports comments such as JSONC or JSON5, and remove them before sharing regular JSON.