A short companion for JSON Formatter: when it is useful, what it expects, and what to check before using the result.
What it does
Paste JSON and this validates it, pretty-prints it at the indentation you choose, or minifies it back down. The optional sort control reorders object keys at every level, ascending or descending, while leaving array order alone — which is exactly what you want when two API responses differ only in key order. Parsing uses the browser's own JSON parser, so it fails on exactly what a real parser fails on.
Use the tool
Open JSON Formatter, add the input the tool asks for, run it, and check the output before using it elsewhere.
Input and output
- Input: JSON text.
- Output: JSON text.
- Category: Formats.
Privacy and processing
Processing happens locally in your browser. This tool does not upload the input to ilham.dev.
Common use cases
- Debug API responses
- Format JSON configuration files
- Validate JSON syntax before pasting into an application
- Minify JSON for compact storage or transport
Limitations
- Sorting only changes object keys
- Array order is preserved
Questions
Does sorting also reorder arrays?
No, and that is deliberate. Only object keys are reordered. Array order is data, so changing it would change the meaning of the document.
What is the difference between this and the JSON Viewer?
This one gives you text you can copy and paste. The viewer renders a collapsible tree, which is better for finding your way around a document whose shape you do not know yet.
Is my data uploaded anywhere?
No. Parsing happens locally with JSON.parse and nothing leaves the browser.
Related guide
For broader background, see Working With Structured Data.