Developer Guide

How to Format and Validate JSON

JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a text format commonly used to exchange structured data between applications. Formatting adds indentation and line breaks so the structure is easier to inspect; validation checks whether the text follows JSON syntax.

Open JSON Formatter

What valid JSON looks like

A JSON object uses braces and key-value pairs. Property names and string values use double quotes, pairs are separated by commas, and values can be strings, numbers, booleans, null, arrays, or nested objects. JSON does not allow comments or trailing commas.

{
  "tool": "KaamKitPro",
  "free": true,
  "features": ["format", "validate"]
}

1. Paste the JSON text

Copy the JSON you need to inspect and paste it into the formatter. If the data comes from an API response or configuration file, keep a copy of the original text in case you need to compare changes.

2. Format the structure

Use indentation to reveal nested objects and arrays. Pretty-printed JSON is easier to review, but whitespace does not change the meaning of valid JSON data. Minified JSON can be useful for transport; formatted JSON is usually more convenient for debugging.

3. Fix common syntax errors

Replace single quotes around strings or keys with double quotes.
Remove trailing commas before a closing brace or bracket.
Check that every opening brace, bracket, and quotation mark is closed.
Make sure keys and values are separated by a colon.
Use true, false, and null in lowercase.

Formatting is not the same as schema validation

A formatter can confirm syntax without knowing whether the data matches an application's expected structure. For example, a JSON document may be syntactically valid but still be missing a required field. Use a schema or the receiving application's validation rules when data shape matters.

Protect confidential data

Do not paste API keys, access tokens, passwords, customer records, or other confidential data into an online tool unless you have confirmed its processing and privacy practices. Use redacted sample data when troubleshooting public examples.

Next steps

Once JSON is valid, you may need to encode a value, generate a hash, or inspect a timestamp depending on your workflow.

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