Why this tool exists
Normalize API responses, CMS exports, and config files without opening a local IDE. The formatter reuses the same validation stack powering the live tool so large payloads stay accurate.
API contract reviews
Paste responses from staging, validate structure, and ship pretty-printed payloads back to teammates.
Config cleanup
Normalize indentation for app settings, GitHub workflows, or CMS exports before committing.
Doc-ready snippets
Minify or format JSON for support articles, changelogs, and SEO landing pages without editor hops.
Quick start
Keep the left editor as your scratchpad and let the right column reflect the normalized payload.
- Open the JSON Formatter, paste or drop your payload into the left editor, and pick Pretty or Minify mode.
- Adjust the indent toggle (2 or 4 spaces) or switch to Minify to collapse everything into a single compact line.
- Submit the form to validate, then copy the normalized output or run another pass with a preset sample.
Supported inputs
- Accepts JSON objects or arrays up to the same limits enforced by the data tools (hundreds of KB).
- Whitespace, comments, and escape sequences stay intact—only indentation changes unless Minify is selected.
- Indent controls support 2 or 4 spaces so you can match repo preferences.
Mode 01
Editor workflow
- Drop a payload or load a preset sample; the editor highlights syntax and keeps line numbers synced.
- Use the toolbar buttons to swap modes, run validation, or reset inputs without refreshing the page.
- Keyboard users can submit with Cmd/Ctrl + Enter and rely on the realtime status badge for quick checks.
Mode 02
Validation & stats
- Realtime validation catches obvious syntax issues instantly while the tool reruns a second pass for accuracy.
- The status badge flips between Valid JSON and Invalid JSON so you know when it is safe to copy.
- Character and node counts show up after formatting to help estimate payload size before sharing externally.
Outputs & snippets
Copy the prettified payload, grab the minified variant, or reuse the language snippets below when you automate the same transformations locally.
Pretty output mirrors the editor theme and provides a one-click copy button for cleaned payloads.
Minified output strips every newline and extra space for compact embeds or query-string usage.
Stats include characters and node totals so you can compare revisions or enforce API limits.
Snippet lineup
JavaScript
JSON.stringify(data, null, 2) to match the Pretty mode output.
Node CLI
Use npx jq or node -p "JSON.stringify(JSON.parse(fs.readFileSync(0, 'utf8')), null, 2)" when scripting.
Python
json.dumps(data, indent=2) for readability or separators=(',', ':') for minified output.
Bash
printf "%s" "$JSON" | jq . to validate before cURL or deployment hooks.
PHP
json_encode($payload, JSON_PRETTY_PRINT | JSON_UNESCAPED_SLASHES) to stay aligned with formatter output.
Docs CMS
Embed prettified payloads inside markdown fences for Knowledge Base articles.
Field notes
Keep formatting predictable whether you are pair-programming or handing payloads to customers.
- Switch modes before copying—Pretty for human reviews, Minify for embeds and tokens.
- Use the stats card to spot when payloads balloon unexpectedly between deployments.
- Keep the formatter open while updating API docs so you can validate every example before publishing.
- Pair with the UUID + Hash Lab when you need to generate IDs before pasting them into JSON fixtures.