Free JSON Formatter & Beautifier

How to Format JSON Online

Paste your JSON into the left panel and the formatted output appears instantly on the right. Use the indent selector to choose 2 spaces, 4 spaces, or tabs. Click the Minify button to strip all whitespace for compact output. You can also drag and drop a .json file or use the upload button to browse your files.

When to Format or Minify JSON

Pretty-printing JSON makes it easier to read, debug, and review — especially useful when inspecting API responses, configuration files, or database exports. Minifying removes all whitespace to reduce file size, which is useful for embedding JSON in URLs, reducing API payload size, or storing compact data in databases and log files.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a JSON formatter do?

A JSON formatter takes raw or minified JSON and adds consistent indentation and line breaks so it's easy to read. It can also minify formatted JSON by removing all whitespace, making it smaller for storage or transmission.

Is this JSON formatter free?

Yes — completely free, forever. No sign-up, no account, no usage limits. If you find it useful, a coffee is appreciated but never required.

Is my data safe?

All formatting happens locally in your browser using JavaScript. Your JSON is never uploaded to any server. It's safe to use with sensitive or proprietary data.

What indentation options are available?

You can choose between 2 spaces, 4 spaces, or tabs. The default is 2 spaces, which is the most common convention in JavaScript and TypeScript projects.

What's the difference between format and minify?

Formatting (beautifying) adds indentation and line breaks for readability. Minifying removes all unnecessary whitespace to produce the smallest possible output — useful for APIs, config files, or reducing payload size.

Does it validate my JSON?

The formatter will show an error if your JSON is invalid, but for detailed validation with line numbers, use the JSON Validator.

Can I also convert JSON to XML?

Yes — use the JSON to XML converter to convert your formatted JSON into XML.