JSON Formatter

JSON Formatter with Sort Keys & Minify

The JSON Formatter turns messy JSON into clean, readable output with consistent indentation. You can also minify JSON to reduce size, or sort keys for stable diffs and deterministic output. This is ideal for debugging APIs, preparing config files, reviewing log output, and sharing examples. Everything runs in the browser, so your JSON never leaves your device.

Formatting JSON is more than just indentation. It helps you spot errors faster, improves code reviews, and makes JSON easy to scan. Sorting keys provides a predictable structure that reduces noise in diffs and version control. Minifying removes whitespace for faster transfers in production. With this tool, you can switch between all three modes in seconds.

What this JSON formatter can do

• Pretty print: Add line breaks and indentation for readability.
• Minify: Remove whitespace to reduce file size and improve transfer speed.
• Sort keys: Order object properties alphabetically for consistent output.
• Custom indent: Choose 2, 4, or 8 spaces for the output style you prefer.
• Copy/download: Export the formatted JSON instantly.

How to use the formatter

1. Paste JSON into the left editor.
2. Select indentation size if you want (2, 4, or 8 spaces).
3. Click Format, Minify, or a Sort Keys option.
4. Copy or download the output from the right editor.

Example: format and minify

Input JSON:

{"name":"Avi","roles":["editor","admin"],"meta":{"active":true,"score":9}}

Formatted output (2 spaces):

{
  "name": "Avi",
  "roles": [
    "editor",
    "admin"
  ],
  "meta": {
    "active": true,
    "score": 9
  }
}

Minified output:

{"name":"Avi","roles":["editor","admin"],"meta":{"active":true,"score":9}}

Example: sort keys for stable diffs

Input JSON:

{
  "z": 1,
  "a": 2,
  "meta": { "b": 1, "a": 2 }
}

Sorted + formatted output:

{
  "a": 2,
  "meta": {
    "a": 2,
    "b": 1
  },
  "z": 1
}

Common errors and fixes

• Error: Unexpected token during formatting. Cause: Invalid JSON syntax such as trailing commas or single quotes. Fix: Validate first with the JSON Validator and correct errors.
• Error: Output is empty after formatting. Cause: The input is blank or whitespace only. Fix: Paste valid JSON before formatting.
• Error: Minify doesn’t change output. Cause: The JSON is already minified. Fix: This is expected; try Format instead.
• Error: Sorted output looks different than expected. Cause: Sorting is alphabetical and recursive. Fix: Use sorting only when deterministic key order is desired.

Tips for cleaner JSON

• Use formatting during development and minify before shipping to production.
• Sort keys when reviewing diffs or writing tests that compare JSON outputs.
• Pair this tool with JSON Schema Validator to ensure structure as well as readability.
• Need to check json size before sharing or shipping payloads? Measure it in seconds.
• Save reusable examples by downloading formatted output as a .json file.

Where formatting helps the most

API debugging: When API responses are large, formatting makes it easy to scan nested objects and spot missing fields. Pair it with JSONPath queries to extract specific values quickly.

Code review: Sorted and formatted JSON reduces diff noise. Teammates can review changes by logic instead of whitespace or random key order.

Configuration management: Formatting ensures config files are readable and consistent across environments.

Formatting checklist

• Validate JSON first to avoid syntax errors.
• Choose an indent style (2 or 4 spaces are most common).
• Use sort keys when reviewing or storing JSON in version control.
• Minify before sending large payloads to production systems.

Additional formatting scenarios

API examples for docs: When writing API documentation or tutorials, formatted JSON makes examples easier to read and copy. Use consistent indentation and sorted keys to keep docs clean.

Log inspection: Logs often contain minified JSON. Formatting makes errors and nested structures obvious, which speeds up debugging during incidents.

Data exports: If you export JSON from a database or service, formatting it helps stakeholders and analysts review the output quickly.

Extra example: sorted keys + minify

Input JSON:

{
  "b": 1,
  "a": 2,
  "c": { "y": 1, "x": 2 }
}

Sorted + minified output:

{"a":2,"b":1,"c":{"x":2,"y":1}}

Common formatting mistakes

• Using single quotes instead of double quotes around strings.
• Leaving trailing commas in arrays or objects.
• Forgetting to escape control characters in strings.
• Assuming JSON allows comments (it does not).
• Pasting JavaScript objects that are not valid JSON.

If your input looks like a JavaScript object (with single quotes or trailing commas), convert it to valid JSON first. This formatter only accepts strict JSON, which improves reliability when using the output in APIs and config files.

For teams, standardizing on a formatter output reduces friction. When everyone uses the same indentation and key order, diffs are smaller and reviews are faster. Consistent formatting is also helpful for SEO-friendly tutorials and blog posts because code snippets are easier to read and copy.

Many IDEs and CI pipelines also expect consistent JSON formatting. Using this tool as a manual check ensures your JSON matches those automated standards before you commit or deploy.

FAQs

Does formatting change the meaning of JSON?
No. Formatting only changes whitespace; it does not alter values or structure.

When should I use minify?
Use minify for production APIs or when you need the smallest possible payload.

What does “Sort Keys” do?
It orders object properties alphabetically, including nested objects, to create stable output.

Can I format very large JSON?
Yes, but extremely large files may be slower in the browser. Consider splitting huge inputs.

Is my JSON uploaded anywhere?
No. Formatting happens locally in your browser.

Why does my JSON fail formatting?
Formatting requires valid JSON. Run validation first if errors occur.

Can I control indentation?
Yes. Choose 2, 4, or 8 spaces in the Indent selector.

Can I keep comments in JSON?
Standard JSON does not support comments. Remove comments or use a JSON5 parser before formatting.

Does sorting keys change array order?
No. Sorting only affects object properties, not array item order.

What if I need a single-line JSON for logs?
Use Minify to produce compact, single-line output.

Can I format JSON that includes Unicode?
Yes. Unicode characters are preserved and remain valid in the output.

Will formatting reorder my data?
Only if you choose Sort Keys. Standard formatting keeps the original key order.