Does formatting change my JSON data?

No. Formatting only adds or removes whitespace (spaces, tabs, line breaks) for readability. The actual data structure, values, keys, and hierarchy remain identical. A formatted JSON and its minified version parse to the exact same data structure when processed by any JSON parser.

What is the difference between 2-space and 4-space indentation?

2-space indentation creates more compact output with less horizontal nesting, making it easier to view deeply nested JSON on narrow screens. 4-space indentation provides more visual separation between nesting levels, improving readability for complex structures. Both are valid; choose based on your team coding standards or personal preference.

Can this tool validate my JSON?

Yes. The formatter automatically validates JSON syntax as you paste it. If your JSON contains errors (missing commas, unmatched brackets, invalid characters), you will see a clear error message indicating where the syntax issue is located, helping you fix it before formatting.

What does "Sort Keys" do?

The "Sort Keys" option alphabetically sorts all object keys in your JSON. This is useful for comparing JSON files, maintaining consistent formatting across teams, or making it easier to locate specific keys in large objects. The sorting is applied recursively to all nested objects.

Is my JSON data sent to your servers?

No. All JSON formatting happens entirely in your web browser using client-side JavaScript. Your JSON data never leaves your device, is never uploaded to our servers, and is never stored or logged anywhere. This ensures complete privacy for sensitive API responses or configuration data.

JSON Formatter & Beautifier - Free Online Tool

How to Format JSON

Paste your minified or unformatted JSON into the input area
Adjust indentation spacing (2 or 4 spaces)
Enable "Sort Keys" if you want alphabetical key ordering
Copy the formatted JSON output

Why Use Our JSON Formatter?

Syntax Highlighting: Color-coded keys, values, and brackets for easy reading
Real-Time Validation: Instant error detection with helpful messages
Sort Keys: Alphabetize object keys for consistency
Configurable Spacing: Choose between 2-space or 4-space indentation
Copy with One Click: Formatted output ready to paste into code
100% Free: No limits on JSON size or usage

What is JSON Formatting?

JSON formatting (or beautification) adds whitespace and indentation to make JSON human-readable. When APIs return minified JSON, it appears as a single line of text that's difficult to parse visually.

Formatted JSON uses line breaks after each property, indents nested objects and arrays, and spaces values for clarity. This is essential for debugging API responses, reviewing configuration files, and understanding data structures during development.

Use cases: Debugging API responses from REST endpoints, reviewing webhook payloads, editing configuration files (package.json, tsconfig.json), code reviews where JSON is shared in pull requests, and converting minified JSON from production logs into readable format.

Privacy & Security

All formatting happens locally in your browser. Your JSON data is never sent to any server, stored, or logged. This makes it safe to format sensitive data like API keys or configuration files.