JSON Formatter

How to Use the JSON Formatter

The JSON Formatter is a free, client-side tool that helps developers validate, format, and minify JSON data instantly. Whether you're debugging API responses, cleaning up configuration files, or preparing data for documentation, this tool handles it all without sending a single byte to any server.

Why Use a JSON Formatter?

Working with raw JSON can be tedious. API responses often come as a single compressed line, making them nearly impossible to read. Our formatter takes that compressed string and transforms it into a beautifully indented, syntax-highlighted document that's easy to scan and understand.

Features

Prettify JSON — Automatically adds proper indentation (2 spaces) so nested objects and arrays are clearly visible.

Minify JSON — Compress formatted JSON back into a single line, perfect for reducing payload size before sending data to an API.

Validation — Instantly detects syntax errors like missing commas, unclosed brackets, or invalid values. Error messages pinpoint exactly where the problem is.

Privacy First — All processing happens in your browser using JSON.parse and JSON.stringify. Your data never leaves your device.

Common Use Cases

Debugging API Responses — Paste the raw response from Postman, curl, or your browser's Network tab to instantly see the structure.

Config File Editing — Format package.json, tsconfig.json, or any configuration file for easier editing.

Data Preparation — Clean up JSON before pasting it into documentation, tickets, or AI prompts.

Learning — Students learning about data structures can visualize nested JSON to better understand objects and arrays.

Tips for Power Users

- Use **Cmd+V** (Mac) or **Ctrl+V** (Windows) to paste, and the tool will auto-detect if the input is valid JSON.

- Switch between Prettify and Minify modes with a single click.

- Copy the formatted output directly to your clipboard with the Copy button.

This tool is built with Next.js and runs entirely on the client side. It's fast, free, and respects your privacy.