JSON Formatter & Validator
Paste, validate, and explore your JSON data easily.
Input
0 charactersFormatted Tree View
Paste JSON in the input area to see the formatted view.
Controls
Tips
- Paste your JSON into the input area or upload a `.json` file.
- The validator will check for errors as you type and provide feedback.
- Use the tree view on the right to explore the structure of valid JSON.
- Utilize the "Expand All" and "Collapse All" buttons for easier navigation in the tree view.
- Copy the original input or the formatted output using the dedicated buttons.
- Select your preferred indentation (spaces or tabs) for the copied formatted JSON.
- All processing happens in your browser – your data is never sent to a server.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the validator work?
The validator uses your browser's built-in JSON parser (`JSON.parse`). If the input text is valid JSON according to the specification, it parses successfully. If not, it throws an error, which we display along with an approximate line and column number to help you find the issue.
What is JSON formatting?
JSON formatting, also known as "pretty printing", adds indentation and line breaks to raw, often minified, JSON data. This makes the hierarchical structure much easier for humans to read and understand. Our tool provides a formatted tree view and allows copying the formatted JSON with customizable indentation (spaces or tabs).
Why use a tree view instead of just formatted text?
The tree view provides an interactive way to explore JSON data. You can expand and collapse nested objects and arrays, making it easier to navigate complex structures without excessive scrolling compared to a flat text view. It helps in quickly understanding the relationships between different parts of the data.
Is my JSON data kept private?
Yes, absolutely. All validation, formatting, and tree view generation happen entirely within your web browser using JavaScript. Your JSON data is never sent to our servers or any third party, ensuring complete privacy and security.
Can I format large JSON files?
Since all processing occurs client-side in your browser, performance depends heavily on your computer's resources (CPU, RAM) and the browser's efficiency. While the tool can handle reasonably large JSON inputs, extremely large files (many megabytes or complex nesting) might cause the browser tab to become slow or unresponsive during parsing or rendering the tree view. For very large files, dedicated command-line tools might be more suitable.