Free Online JSON Formatter, Validator, and Minifier for Developers
Instantly validate, beautify, and minify your JSON data. This free, secure client-side tool helps developers debug and format code effortlessly without sending data to servers.
How It Works
This tool uses your browser’s native JavaScript capabilities to parse and re-structure JSON data.
To Format (Beautify) JSON:
- Input: Paste your raw JSON string into the input text area.
- Process: Click the “Format (Prettify)” button.
- Mechanism: The tool attempts to parse the text string into a JavaScript object. If successful, it re-converts the object back into a string using 2-space indentation.
- Result: The output displays a clean, readable, tree-like structure.
To Minify JSON:
- Input: Paste your JSON into the input area.
- Process: Click the “Minify” button.
- Mechanism: The tool parses the object and regenerates the string with all whitespace, newlines, and indentation removed.
- Result: A compact, single-line string is generated to save space.
Validation: Every time you attempt to process the text, the tool first validates the syntax. If the input contains errors (e.g., a trailing comma or single quotes instead of double quotes), the tool catches the exception and displays the specific error message returned by the parser, helping you locate the bug immediately.
Inputs
A multi-line text area capable of handling large JSON strings. It accepts nested objects, arrays, and standard data types. The input must be valid text, though the tool is robust enough to handle whitespace variations before processing.
Output
A read-only text area displaying the processed result. If the operation is successful, it shows the formatted or minified JSON. If the input is invalid, the tool displays an error notification instead of a result, detailing why the parsing failed.
Tool Description
JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is the standard format for data interchange on the web, but raw JSON from APIs or logs is often unreadable. This JSON Formatter & Validator allows you to paste messy or minified JSON and instantly "prettify" it into a structured, easy-to-read hierarchy with proper indentation. Beyond formatting, this tool is a powerful validator. It parses your input to detect syntax errors—such as missing commas, unclosed brackets, or invalid data types—and provides specific error messages to help you fix them. It also includes a "Minify" feature to compress your JSON by removing unnecessary whitespace, making it ideal for production use. All processing occurs locally in your browser, ensuring your private data remains secure.
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