What is JSON formatting?
JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a lightweight data-interchange format. When JSON is transmitted over a network or stored in files, it's often minified — all whitespace removed — to save bandwidth. This makes it difficult to read. JSON formatting (also called JSON beautification or pretty-printing) adds proper indentation and line breaks so the structure becomes easy to read and navigate.
How to format JSON with JSON Format Tools
- Paste your JSON into the input panel on the left.
- Choose your preferred indentation: 2 spaces, 4 spaces, or tabs.
- Click Format or press Ctrl+Enter.
- View the formatted output in the right panel.
- Copy or download the result.
JSON formatting example
Before (minified):
{"name":"John","age":25,"active":true}After (formatted):
{
"name": "John",
"age": 25,
"active": true
}Frequently Asked Questions
Is my JSON data safe?
Yes. All JSON processing happens entirely in your browser. Your data is never sent to any server, logged, or stored anywhere.
What indentation should I use?
2 spaces is the most common convention in JavaScript and JSON. 4 spaces is common in Python projects. Tabs are preferred when teams want configurable indentation width.
Can I format very large JSON files?
Yes, though extremely large files (hundreds of megabytes) may be slow depending on your device. There is a 5 MB limit on file uploads as a practical safeguard.
What does 'Sort keys' do?
Sorting keys reorders all object properties alphabetically at every nesting level. This is useful for comparing JSON objects consistently.