How to Format JSON Online
Quick Answer
Use an online JSON formatter to instantly beautify your JSON with proper indentation and syntax highlighting. Paste your JSON, click Format, and get readable, validated output.
Common Use Cases
- Minified JSON from APIs - APIs often return JSON without spaces or line breaks to save bandwidth
- Copied code - JSON copied from logs or databases is often unformatted
- Manual editing - JSON written by hand may lack consistent formatting
Step-by-Step Guide
- Paste your JSON - Copy your raw or minified JSON and paste it into the JSON Formatter
- Click Format - The tool will automatically add proper indentation, line breaks, and syntax highlighting
- Copy the result - Your formatted JSON is ready to use. The tool also validates for errors
Example
Input:
{"name":"John","age":30,"email":"john@example.com"}Output:
{
"name": "John",
"age": 30,
"email": "john@example.com"
}Frequently Asked Questions
What is JSON formatting?
JSON formatting (or beautification) adds proper indentation, line
breaks, and spacing to make JSON human-readable. It doesn't change the data, only how
it's displayed.
Does formatting change my JSON data?
No. Formatting only adds whitespace for readability. The actual data
structure and values remain exactly the same.
What's the difference between format and minify?
Formatting adds spaces and line breaks for readability. Minifying
removes all unnecessary whitespace to reduce file size. They're opposite operations.
Can I format JSON with custom indentation?
Yes. Most JSON formatters let you choose between 2 or 4 spaces, or
tabs. The standard is 2 spaces for most projects.