FreeFormatHub

JSON Formatter & Validator

Paste your JSON data below to format, validate, and explore it with our interactive tree view. Makes debugging and reading complex JSON structures effortless.

Format, validate and beautify your JSON data with this free online tool. Improperly formatted files can lead to errors and readability issues. Professional developers use formatters to maintain code quality and consistency. Our tool supports Syntax highlighting.

JSON Input

How to Use JSON Formatter

1

Paste Your JSON Data

Copy and paste your JSON data into the input field, or upload a .json file using the file upload button.

2

Choose Formatting Options

Select your preferred indentation (2 or 4 spaces), enable/disable sorting of keys, and choose other formatting preferences.

3

Format and Validate

Click 'Format' to beautify your JSON. The tool automatically validates syntax and highlights any errors with detailed messages.

4

Explore with Tree View

Use the tree view to navigate complex nested structures. Click nodes to expand/collapse and see the hierarchical structure clearly.

5

Copy or Download Results

Copy the formatted JSON to clipboard or download it as a .json file. You can also switch between formatted and minified versions.

Common Use Cases

API Development & Testing

Format API responses and request payloads to make them readable during development and debugging.

{"user": {"id": 123, "name": "John Doe"}}
Configuration File Management

Beautify and validate JSON configuration files for applications, ensuring proper syntax and structure.

Data Analysis & Exploration

Explore complex nested JSON data structures from databases, APIs, or data exports using the interactive tree view.

Code Documentation

Create well-formatted JSON examples for documentation, tutorials, and code samples.

Tips & Tricks

Keyboard Shortcuts for Speed

Use Ctrl+Enter to format, Ctrl+M to minify, and Ctrl+T to toggle tree view. These shortcuts make formatting much faster.

Validate Before Using in Production

Always validate your JSON before deploying. Invalid JSON can crash applications or cause unexpected behavior.

Use Tree View for Complex Data

For deeply nested JSON with many levels, the tree view is invaluable for understanding the data structure at a glance.

Handle Large Files Efficiently

For files larger than 1MB, consider using the minified view first to improve browser performance, then switch to formatted view as needed.

Related Tools

XML Beautifier

Format and validate XML documents with tree view and syntax highlighting.

SQL Formatter

Beautify SQL queries with proper indentation and keyword formatting.

HTML Formatter

Format HTML code with proper indentation and tag structure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common Next Steps After JSON Formatting:

to format XML data
to verify data integrity