Load JSON from URL

Load JSON from URL

Load JSON from URL lets you fetch and inspect JSON directly from a public endpoint. Paste a URL, load the response, and view it in a rich editor with tree and code modes. This is ideal for debugging APIs, checking response payloads, and quickly validating data without building a custom client. Everything runs in your browser, and the data is not stored.

Why this tool is useful

When you build or consume APIs, the fastest way to debug is to look at the raw response. This tool makes that easy by fetching JSON from any public URL and showing it instantly in a structured viewer. You can verify fields, confirm data types, and spot missing properties without switching to Postman or writing custom scripts.

Key features

• Fetch JSON from public endpoints.
• Tree and code views for fast inspection.
• Copy and download the JSON output.
• Client-side processing with no uploads.

How to use

1. Paste a JSON URL in the input field.
2. Click Load JSON.
3. Explore the response in tree or code mode.
4. Copy or download the JSON if needed.

Example URL

https://api.example.com/data.json

Tutorial: Debug an API response

1. Identify the endpoint you want to inspect (e.g., a public GET endpoint).
2. Paste the URL into the tool and load the response.
3. Switch to Tree mode to explore nested fields and arrays.
4. Use Code mode if you need to copy raw JSON into tests or documentation.
5. Validate the JSON with JSON Validator if you suspect malformed output.

Common issues and fixes

• CORS blocked: Some APIs block browser requests. Use a public endpoint or enable CORS on your API.
• Requires auth: Private APIs often require headers or tokens. This tool only supports public URLs.
• Non-JSON responses: If the endpoint returns HTML or text, the tool cannot parse it. Confirm the endpoint returns JSON.
• Large payloads: Very large JSON responses may slow the browser. Try smaller endpoints first.
• Rate limits: Public APIs may throttle requests. Avoid repeated rapid refreshes.

Best practices

• Use stable endpoints that return consistent JSON schemas.
• Validate responses before using them in production workflows.
• Save a sample response for documentation or unit tests.
• Use JSON formatting tools for readable output.

Security notes

Only load public endpoints or endpoints you control. If an API requires authentication, do not paste secrets into the URL. This tool does not store your data, but browsers may still cache requests, so treat sensitive URLs carefully.

Working with CORS

Many APIs block cross-origin requests by default. If you see a CORS error, you will need to enable CORS on the server or proxy the request through your backend. Public APIs that allow browser access typically include the correct CORS headers.

Handling pagination

If your endpoint returns paginated data, load one page at a time by appending query parameters (for example, ?page=1). This keeps responses small and easier to inspect.

Testing workflows

Use this tool to capture example responses for automated tests. Save the JSON output and use it as fixtures in your API tests, which helps catch breaking changes after deployments.

Performance tips

For large payloads, consider limiting the response or using filters on your endpoint. Smaller responses load faster and make the editor more responsive.

Example: Inspect a public API

Try a public endpoint that returns JSON, such as a sample users API. Paste the URL, load the response, and expand the objects in tree view to understand the shape. This is useful when you are integrating a new API and want to confirm field names before writing code.

Example: Validate after load

After loading a response, copy it into JSON Validator to check for syntax errors. Then use JSON Formatter if you need consistent formatting before sharing with teammates.

Sharing responses safely

If you need to share a sample response, remove sensitive fields first. Replace secrets, tokens, or user identifiers with placeholder values before sharing in tickets or documentation.

Comparing responses

When debugging regressions, load the same endpoint from two environments (for example, staging vs. production) and compare them with JSON Compare. This reveals changes in structure or values quickly.

API documentation workflow

Use this tool to capture clean examples for API docs. Load a response, format it, and paste the output into documentation so developers can see real payloads. Keeping examples current reduces integration errors.

Data governance

When handling public endpoints, still treat data responsibly. Avoid publishing or redistributing data that violates terms of service. For internal APIs, confirm that sharing payloads is permitted before distributing samples.

Monitoring checks

In operations workflows, quickly verify that an endpoint still returns JSON after a deployment. A simple load and inspection can catch breaking changes before they impact users.

Rate limits and caching

If an API has rate limits, avoid repeated refreshes. For public endpoints, consider waiting between requests to avoid temporary blocks. If you need to re-check the same response, cache the JSON locally instead of reloading it.

Error troubleshooting

If you see an error message, check the URL, confirm it returns JSON in a browser, and verify that the response status is 200. For APIs that require headers, this tool won’t work directly; use an API client instead.

For flaky endpoints, try again after a short delay or choose a smaller response.

This keeps the editor responsive.

Use cases

• Inspect API responses during development.
• Verify production endpoints after deployments.
• Share sample payloads with teammates.
• Document JSON structures for clients.

FAQs

Supports private APIs? No. This tool fetches only public URLs without auth headers.

Is data saved? No. The JSON is processed locally and not stored.

Can I load from localhost? Yes, if the endpoint allows CORS and your browser permits it.

Does it support POST requests? No. It only supports GET requests to a URL.

Can I download the JSON? Yes, use the download button in the editor.

What if the response is not JSON? The tool will show an error. Confirm the endpoint returns JSON.