JSON Beautifier - DigiKitApp

Pretty-print compact JSON into readable form.

When should you use this?

Very similar to json-formatter: use it to turn cramped JSON into readable text, the difference is usually small customization options for indentation and spacing.

When shouldn't you use this?

There's no need to run this again on JSON that's already readable and well-formatted; it's only meaningful on raw, cramped data.

Step-by-step

Copy the JSON from wherever it lives: a log line, a database field, a config value.
Paste it into the "JSON text" field. If there's a timestamp or label before or after the JSON itself, delete it first.
Click "Run". The indented, line-by-line version shows up in the result area.
Read it there, or copy it into a doc, bug ticket or code review comment.

Example

In an order system's log you find a long, single-line JSON record for an order that failed. Customer details, the item list and the shipping address are all nested inside it. Run it through the beautifier and the items line up as an array, with the address fields in their own block. Now it's easy to spot that one item was sent with a quantity of 0, or that a field came through empty. Passing the readable version along to the support team also saves them from squinting at one endless line.

What is JSON and why format it?

JSON is a lightweight data format made of key-value pairs and lists, common for exchanging data in web applications. JSON written as a single line without spaces for machines is hard for people to read; formatting adds indentation and line breaks to make the structure visible. The meaning does not change, only readability improves.

When working with JSON

Keys and text values must be in double quotes; single quotes are not valid JSON.
A trailing comma after the last item is invalid.
The JSON standard has no comment lines.
Formatting does not fix errors; for invalid JSON you first need validation to find where the error is.

Things to keep in mind

JSON copied from logs is sometimes stored as an escaped string, with quotes showing up as \". You may need to unescape it before it will format.
If the input isn't valid JSON, it can't be beautified. When you get an error, run the text through the JSON Validator to find where it breaks.
Before sharing the output, look for emails, phone numbers, tokens or passwords and mask them if needed.
If you want to switch between pretty and compact output, the JSON Formatter with its two buttons is handier.

Frequently asked questions

Is the code/data I enter stored anywhere?

No, nothing is sent to a server or stored; processing happens entirely in your browser.

Does it work with large inputs?

Yes, though performance may degrade with very large inputs (several MB or more).

Is this tool free?

Yes, it's completely free for core use and requires no account.