How to Format or Validate JSON
- Paste your raw or minified JSON into the left-side Input panel.
- Choose a mode: Format & Beautify, Minify, or Validate.
- Optionally pick an Indent Size (2, 4, or 8 spaces) for formatted output.
- Click the action button — the output appears in the right panel with syntax highlighting.
- Use Copy Output, Download .json, or Download .txt to save your result.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does JSON formatting do?
JSON formatting (also called JSON beautify or JSON prettify) converts a minified or hard-to-read JSON string into properly indented, human-readable form. This makes it easier to debug, review, and understand complex data structures.
What is the difference between format and minify?
Formatting adds indentation and line breaks to make JSON readable. Minifying removes all unnecessary whitespace to produce the most compact representation possible — useful when you need to reduce file size for APIs or embed JSON in code.
Is my JSON data private?
Yes. All processing happens entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Your JSON data is never sent to a server, stored, or logged. You can safely format sensitive data like API responses and config files.
Can I download the formatted output?
Yes — after formatting or minifying, use 'Download .json' to save as a proper JSON file, or 'Download .txt' for a plain text version. You can also copy the output to clipboard with one click.
Key Benefits
- Split-pane editor for input and output side-by-side
- Syntax-highlighted output for easy readability
- Validate JSON and see exact error messages
- Adjustable indent size: 2, 4, or 8 spaces
- Download as .json or .txt file
- Copy to clipboard with one click