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JSON Formatting & Validation — Quick Guide for Developers

JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is the most common data format on the web. APIs return it, config files use it, and developers work with it daily. But raw JSON — especially from API responses — is often minified into a single unreadable line.

Why JSON Formatting Matters

Minified JSON saves bandwidth but is nearly impossible to read:

{"users":[{"id":1,"name":"Kim","roles":["admin","editor"]},{"id":2,"name":"Park","roles":["viewer"]}]}

Formatted JSON reveals the structure:

{
  "users": [
    {
      "id": 1,
      "name": "Kim",
      "roles": ["admin", "editor"]
    },
    {
      "id": 2,
      "name": "Park",
      "roles": ["viewer"]
    }
  ]
}

Common JSON Errors

ErrorExampleFix
Trailing comma`{"a": 1,}`Remove the last comma
Single quotes`{'a': 1}`Use double quotes
Unquoted keys`{a: 1}`Add double quotes: `{"a": 1}`
Missing comma`{"a": 1 "b": 2}`Add comma between entries

How to Use the JSON Formatter

  1. Paste your JSON into the JSON Formatter.
  2. View formatted output — The tool auto-indents and validates your JSON.
  3. Spot errors — Invalid JSON is highlighted with the specific error location.
  4. Copy formatted result — Use the copy button to get clean, indented JSON.

JSON vs. YAML

YAML is more human-readable for config files, while JSON is better for data exchange. Need to convert? Try our JSON ↔ YAML Converter.

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