Quick answer
Paste JSON into the input box and click Beautify to indent it, Minify to compress it, or Validate to check it. If there is a mistake, the error message shows the line and column so you can fix it fast.
- Actions:
- Beautify, minify, validate, sort keys
- Indent:
- 2 spaces, 4 spaces or tab
- Errors:
- Line and column shown
- Privacy:
- Data stays in your browser
- Price:
- Free, unlimited
- Download:
- .json file
APIs, config files and logs often return JSON as one long, unreadable line. Our JSON formatter turns it into neatly indented, easy-to-scan text — and tells you exactly where a missing comma or quote is breaking your data.
Because it runs locally, it is safe to paste API responses that contain tokens or customer data.
How to use JSON Formatter & Validator – step by step
- 1 Paste your JSONDrop raw JSON into the input box.
- 2 Choose an actionBeautify, Minify, Validate or Sort keys.
- 3 Copy or downloadCopy the result or download it as a .json file.
Why use our JSON Formatter & Validator?
Clear error messages
Find the exact line and column of a syntax error.
Sort keys
Alphabetise object keys to compare two JSON files more easily.
Minify for production
Remove whitespace to make payloads smaller.
Secure
No server round-trip — nothing is logged or stored.
Most common JSON errors
- Trailing commas –
{"a": 1,}is invalid in JSON. - Single quotes – JSON requires double quotes:
"name", not'name'. - Unquoted keys –
{name: "x"}must be{"name": "x"}. - Comments – standard JSON does not allow
//or/* */. - Special values –
undefined,NaNand functions are not valid JSON.
Frequently asked questions
How do I format JSON online?
How do I check if JSON is valid?
Is my JSON data safe?
What is the difference between beautify and minify?
Last updated November 2026 · Written and tested by the SmallEasyTools team.