Prettify JSON

Original Utility Suite

Validate, format, and color-code raw or minified JSON.

Input

Formatted

Paste JSON on the left, or use Load sample. The formatted, color-coded result appears here instantly.

What is Prettify JSON?

Prettify JSON validates, formats, and color-codes raw or minified JSON so you can actually read it. Paste a blob, pick an indent style, and see a clean, syntax-highlighted result instantly — or switch to Minified to strip every space for the smallest possible output. If the JSON is broken, you get the parser's message plus the exact line and column so you can fix it fast. Everything runs in your browser, so your data is never uploaded.

How to use Prettify JSON

  1. Paste your JSON

    Drop raw, minified, or messy JSON into the Input box on the left. Or click Load sample to try it with a realistic example. Formatting happens live as you type.

  2. Choose an indent style

    Pick 2 spaces, 4 spaces, or Tab for pretty output — or Minified to collapse everything onto one line. The formatted, color-coded result appears on the right.

  3. Sort keys if you want a canonical shape

    Tick Sort keys to alphabetize every object's keys recursively (arrays keep their order). This is handy for diffing two objects or producing stable, comparable output.

  4. Fix any errors it flags

    If the JSON is invalid, the output panel shows the parser message and the line and column where parsing failed, so you can jump straight to the problem.

  5. Copy or download the result

    Use Copy to grab the formatted text, or Download to save it as formatted.json. The panel also shows the byte size in and out.

Common uses

  • Make a minified API response readable while debugging
  • Validate that a config or payload is well-formed JSON before shipping it
  • Minify JSON to shrink a request body or config file
  • Alphabetize keys to produce a stable shape for clean diffs
  • Pinpoint the exact line and column of a syntax error
  • Reformat copied JSON to a consistent 2-space or tab style

Why choose FreeTools

100% private

Your files are processed inside your browser and are never uploaded to a server.

Free, no account

No sign-up, no watermark, no paywalled “premium” tier. Just open a tool and use it.

Instant

No upload, no queue, no server round-trip — work starts the moment you drop a file.

Runs in your browser

Built on open web standards. Works on any modern desktop browser, nothing to install.

No upload size caps

Nothing leaves your device, so there’s no server file-size limit — only your machine’s memory.

Yours to keep

Results download straight to your device in clean, standard file formats.

Frequently asked questions

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