How to use JSON Formatter
Formatting turns compact JSON into an indented document without changing property names, values or array order. The result is easier to scan in bug reports, API logs and code review.
XXF parses the input before formatting it, so malformed JSON produces an error instead of a misleading best-effort result. Choose two or four spaces and decide whether escaped Unicode sequences should remain encoded.
A reliable workflow
- Paste strict JSON or load the included representative sample
- Choose the indentation and escape-display options
- Inspect the structure, then copy or download the formatted JSON
Worked example
Format the included compact project object with two-space indentation
{"project":"XXF","ready":true,"tools":["format","convert","ship"],"encoded":"\u003e","meta":{"version":1,"private":true}}{
"project": "XXF",
"ready": true,
"tools": [
"format",
"convert",
"ship"
],
"encoded": ">",
"meta": {
"version": 1,
"private": true
}
}The nested meta object and tools array become scannable while values and array order stay unchanged. Toggle escape display to compare the encoded greater-than sequence with its readable character
When this tool helps
- Read a minified API response
- Prepare a stable fixture for a test
- Locate a missing quote, comma or closing bracket
Accuracy and safety notes
- JSON does not allow comments, trailing commas, single-quoted strings or undefined
- Formatting is not schema validation and cannot confirm that field values match business rules
Frequently asked questions
Does XXF upload or store my data?+
No. The conversion runs locally in your browser. Your input is not sent to XXF, stored on a server or used for training.
What does the formatter change?+
The tool parses and serializes JSON. It changes whitespace and may normalize escape sequences and number notation. Duplicate keys and unsafe integer literals need special care; use a lossless parser when exact source fidelity matters.