JSON Formatter Online Free — Format, Validate, Fix & Convert JSON

JSON is everywhere — APIs return it, config files use it, databases store it. But raw JSON is often a single unreadable line or worse, broken with syntax errors. This guide shows you exactly how to format, validate, fix, and convert JSON online for free — with real examples for every step.

What is a JSON Formatter?

A JSON formatter takes raw or minified JSON and adds proper indentation and line breaks to make it human-readable. It also validates the syntax and highlights errors. A good formatter should also be able to fix common mistakes automatically.

For example, this is minified JSON from an API response:

Raw API response (hard to read)
{"user":{"id":1,"name":"John Doe","email":"[email protected]","roles":["admin","editor"],"active":true,"created":"2026-01-15"}}

After formatting:

Formatted JSON (easy to read)
{
  "user": {
    "id": 1,
    "name": "John Doe",
    "email": "[email protected]",
    "roles": [
      "admin",
      "editor"
    ],
    "active": true,
    "created": "2026-01-15"
  }
}

How to Format JSON Online — Step by Step

1
Go to the JSON Formatter at getpdfmint.com/tools/json-formatter
2
Paste your JSON in the Input panel on the left — or upload a .json file using the Upload button
3
Click Beautify — your JSON appears formatted in the Output panel with syntax highlighting
4
Copy or Download — click Copy to clipboard or Download to save as a .json file
Pro tip: Use 2 spaces for API work and 4 spaces for config files. Switch using the indent selector next to the Beautify button.

How to Validate JSON Online

Validation checks if your JSON is syntactically correct. Even a single missing comma or extra bracket will make JSON invalid and break your API.

1
Paste your JSON in the input panel
2
Click Validate — a green tick means valid, a red error message shows the exact line and column of the problem

Example of invalid JSON and what the validator catches:

Invalid JSON (3 errors)
{
  "name": "John",
  "age": 25,          // trailing comma
  "city": 'Dubai'     // single quotes not allowed
  "active": True      // Python literal, not valid JSON
}
Validator output
3 errors detected — trailing comma on line 3, single quotes on line 4, invalid literal on line 5

How to Fix Broken JSON Automatically

The Fix & Analyze button is the most powerful feature. It automatically repairs the most common JSON errors in one click — no manual editing needed.

What it fixes automatically:

What it flags for your review (data warnings):

1
Paste your broken JSON in the input panel
2
Click Fix & Analyze — the tool repairs all fixable errors and shows an Auto-fix Report
3
Review the report — green items were fixed automatically, orange items need your decision
4
Copy the fixed JSON from the output panel

Try it with this broken JSON:

Paste this broken JSON and click Fix & Analyze
{
  'company': "TechCorp",
  founded: 2018,
  active: True,
  score: "42",
  tags: ["dev", "python",],
}
After Fix & Analyze
Fixed 4 issues:
✓ Converted 2 single quotes to double quotes
✓ Added quotes around 3 unquoted keys
✓ Converted 1 Python literal (True → true)
✓ Removed 1 trailing comma

Data warning:
⚠ "score" is a String ("42") but looks like a Number

How to Fix JSON Using Schema (Schema Fix)

Schema Fix is the most powerful feature for developers working with APIs. If your JSON has the right structure but wrong data types, Schema Fix reads your JSON Schema and corrects every value automatically.

1
Paste your JSON in the input panel
2
Click Schema Fix — a panel opens below the toolbar
3
Paste your JSON Schema or click Load sample to try an example
4
Click Fix with Schema — all type mismatches are corrected instantly

Example — your API is returning strings instead of numbers:

JSON with wrong types
{
  "id": "1042",
  "price": "29.99",
  "in_stock": "yes",
  "category": 5
}
Your JSON Schema
{
  "properties": {
    "id": { "type": "number" },
    "price": { "type": "number" },
    "in_stock": { "type": "boolean" },
    "category": { "type": "string" }
  }
}
After Schema Fix
{
  "id": 1042,
  "price": 29.99,
  "in_stock": true,
  "category": "5"
}

How to Convert JSON to CSV Online

CSV is useful when you want to open JSON data in Excel, Google Sheets, or import into a database. JSON to CSV conversion works when your JSON is an array of flat objects.

1
Paste your JSON array in the input panel
2
Click Convert → JSON to CSV
3
Download the .csv file using the Download button
Input JSON array
[
  {"name": "John", "age": 30, "city": "Dubai"},
  {"name": "Jane", "age": 25, "city": "Doha"},
  {"name": "Bob",  "age": 35, "city": "London"}
]
Output CSV
name,age,city
John,30,Dubai
Jane,25,Doha
Bob,35,London

How to Convert JSON to YAML Online

YAML is widely used in DevOps config files, Kubernetes manifests, GitHub Actions, and Docker Compose. Converting JSON to YAML makes config files much more readable.

1
Paste any JSON in the input panel
2
Click Convert → JSON to YAML
3
Download the .yaml file using the Download button
Input JSON
{
  "service": "api",
  "replicas": 3,
  "ports": [8080, 8443],
  "env": {"NODE_ENV": "production"}
}
Output YAML
service: api
replicas: 3
ports:
  - 8080
  - 8443
env:
  NODE_ENV: production

How to Convert JSON to XML Online

XML is still widely used in enterprise systems, SOAP APIs, and configuration files. Converting JSON to XML is straightforward.

1
Paste your JSON in the input panel
2
Click Convert → JSON to XML
3
Download the .xml file using the Download button
Input JSON
{"name": "John", "age": 30, "city": "Dubai"}
Output XML
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<root><name>John</name><age>30</age><city>Dubai</city></root>

How to Use JSON Path to Query JSON

JSON Path lets you extract specific values from complex nested JSON — like querying a database but for JSON. It is essential when working with large API responses.

1
Paste your JSON and click JSON Path in the toolbar
2
Type your path expression in the input field
3
Click Evaluate or press Enter — the result appears instantly

Common JSON Path examples:

ExpressionWhat it returns
$.nameValue of the "name" key at root
$.user.emailNested value inside user object
$.users[0]First item in users array
$.users[0].nameName of first user
$.products[*].priceAll prices from products array
$.orders[2].items[0]First item of third order
Example JSON
{
  "store": {
    "products": [
      {"name": "Laptop", "price": 999},
      {"name": "Phone",  "price": 499},
      {"name": "Tablet", "price": 299}
    ]
  }
}

Path: $.store.products[*].price → returns [999, 499, 299]

Path: $.store.products[0].name → returns "Laptop"

Try the JSON Formatter now — free

No signup, no ads, 100% browser-side. Your JSON never leaves your device.

Open JSON Formatter →

JSON Formatter Features Comparison

FeatureGetPDFMintjsonformatter.orgJSONLintJSON Editor Online
Beautify & Minify✓✓✓✓
Validate with error line✓✓✓✓
Fix broken JSON✓✓✗✗
Schema validation & fix✓✗✗Paid only
Data consistency warnings✓✗✗✗
Reversed date detection✓✗✗✗
JSON to CSV✓✓✗✗
JSON to YAML✓✓✗✗
JSON to XML✓✓✗✗
JSON Path evaluator✓✗✗✓
Tree view✓✓✗✓
100% browser-side✓✗✗✓
No signup required✓✗✓✗
No ads✓✗✗✗

Common JSON Errors and How to Fix Them

1. Single quotes instead of double quotes

Wrong
{'name': 'John'}
Correct
{"name": "John"}

2. Trailing comma after last item

Wrong
{"tags": ["dev", "api",]}
Correct
{"tags": ["dev", "api"]}

3. Unquoted keys

Wrong
{name: "John", age: 25}
Correct
{"name": "John", "age": 25}

4. Python literals

Wrong (Python)
{"active": True, "deleted": False, "data": None}
Correct (JSON)
{"active": true, "deleted": false, "data": null}

5. Comments in JSON

Wrong (JSON doesn't support comments)
{
  // This is a user object
  "name": "John"
}
Correct
{"name": "John"}
All 5 errors above are fixed automatically by the Fix & Analyze button. Just paste and click.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a JSON formatter?
A JSON formatter takes raw or minified JSON and adds proper indentation and line breaks to make it human-readable. It also validates the syntax and highlights errors.
Is it safe to paste my JSON online?
With GetPDFMint, yes. The JSON formatter runs 100% in your browser. Your JSON data never leaves your device and is never sent to any server.
How do I fix broken JSON online?
Paste your broken JSON and click Fix & Analyze. It automatically repairs single quotes, unquoted keys, trailing commas, and Python literals like True/False/None.
How do I convert JSON to CSV online?
Paste your JSON array, click Convert, then select JSON to CSV. The output downloads as a .csv file instantly. Works best with flat arrays of objects.
What is JSON Path?
JSON Path is a query language for JSON, similar to XPath for XML. Use expressions like $.users[0].name to extract specific values from nested JSON structures.
What is the difference between JSON and YAML?
JSON uses curly braces and quotes, making it precise but verbose. YAML uses indentation and is more human-readable. YAML is popular for config files, JSON for APIs. You can convert between them instantly using the Convert button.
Can I format a large JSON file?
Yes. Since processing happens in your browser, there is no file size limit imposed by a server. Performance depends on your device, but most JSON files up to 10MB format instantly.