What is the difference between this tool and the API Response Visualizer?

The API Response Visualizer focuses on HTTP inspection — status codes, response headers, timing, and raw body. The API Response Formatter focuses on working with the JSON data itself — formatting, sorting, minifying, exploring stats, and downloading. This tool also accepts pasted raw JSON without a URL.

Can I format minified JSON from an API?

Yes. Switch to Paste JSON mode, paste the minified JSON string, and click Format JSON. The tool parses it and re-serializes with your chosen indentation, making it human-readable.

What does the depth stat mean?

Depth is the maximum nesting level of the JSON. A flat object has depth 1. An object containing another object has depth 2. Deeply nested JSON (depth > 5) can indicate complex data structures that may benefit from flattening or restructuring.

Why does my URL return a CORS error?

CORS (Cross-Origin Resource Sharing) is a browser security policy. If the API server does not include the Access-Control-Allow-Origin header in its response, the browser blocks the request. This is not a bug in the tool — it is a restriction of browser-based HTTP requests. Use the Paste JSON mode instead, or test the URL in a server-side environment (curl, Node.js).

What does "sort keys" do?

Sort keys rearranges all object keys in alphabetical order before formatting. This produces consistent output regardless of the original key order, making it easier to compare two JSON objects visually or read large responses.

Can I download the formatted output?

Yes. Click the Download button in the output panel to save the formatted JSON as a response.json file. The downloaded file reflects your current format settings — indented or minified, sorted or unsorted.

Free · Browser-only · No sign-up

API Response Formatter

Fetch any public API URL or paste raw JSON — format it with configurable indentation, sort keys, minify, and download. Shows key count, max nesting depth, and output size. Works entirely in your browser.

Fetch URLPaste JSONSort keysMinifyDownload .json100% offline

indent

sort keysminify

try:

CORS note

Requests are made from your browser. The target API must allow cross-origin requests (CORS) to respond. All sample URLs above support CORS. If you get a network error, the API blocks browser requests — use curl or Postman for those.

Features

URL or Paste

Fetch from a live API URL or paste raw/minified JSON directly

Format options

Control indent size, key sorting, and minification

JSON stats

Key count, max nesting depth, and output size shown instantly

Download

Save the formatted JSON as a .json file with one click

Sort keys

Alphabetically sort all object keys for consistent, readable output

Browser-only

No server — your JSON and API URLs stay on your device

How to use

1
Choose mode
Select "Fetch URL" to load a live API or "Paste JSON" for raw data you already have.
2
Set options
Configure indent size, key sorting, or minification before formatting.
3
Format
Click Fetch & Format or Format JSON. Stats appear above the output.
4
Export
Click Copy to clipboard or Download to save as a .json file.

Frequently asked questions

Why would I use this instead of the JSON Formatter tool?

The JSON Formatter is focused on validating and debugging JSON syntax with error highlighting. This tool is focused on working with API responses — fetching live data, exploring stats, and downloading output. Use the JSON Formatter when debugging malformed JSON; use this tool when exploring API responses.

How do I get a minified API response into this tool?

Switch to Paste JSON mode, paste the minified string, set your indent to 2 or 4, and click Format JSON. The tool will expand it into readable, indented JSON.

What is the maximum JSON size this tool can handle?

There is no hard limit — it runs in your browser. In practice, JSON files up to a few megabytes format instantly. Very large files (10 MB+) may be slow depending on your device.

Can I format XML or CSV from an API?

No. This tool only handles JSON responses. If an API returns XML or CSV, the formatter will show an error. Use the Paste JSON mode only for valid JSON data.

Related tools

API Tester

Full mini-Postman with headers, auth, body

JSON Formatter

Validate and format JSON with error highlighting

JSON Diff Checker

Compare two JSON responses visually