data_object
DevPad.online

JSON Viewer with Tree View

lockSecure
boltClient-side

Explore nested JSON with a clean tree view and instant parsing in the browser.

Focus ModeHide distractions
descriptionInput JSON
1234567
Ready106 chars
check_circleValid JSON
Tree View
{
  "metadata": {
    "requestId": "req_88a91b2c",
    "processingTimeMs": 45
  },
  "status": "success"
}

Last updated: 2024-10-01

What this tool does

The JSON Viewer parses raw JSON into a readable tree so you can expand objects, collapse arrays, and scan structure quickly. Paste JSON or drop a file and the viewer highlights keys, values, and data types to make nested structures easy to understand.

It is designed for real-world payloads such as API responses, configuration files, and event logs. Large arrays can be collapsed, and long strings are trimmed in the preview so you can navigate without losing context.

All parsing happens locally in your browser, so sensitive data stays private. There is no upload and no login, which keeps your workflow lightweight and safe.

Why it is useful

JSON is flexible but hard to read when minified or deeply nested. A tree view removes the noise and makes it easy to find the part you need.

During debugging, you often need to confirm a single field or compare a nested object. The viewer gives you instant structure without opening a full IDE or command line tools.

Because the tool is browser-only, it is a safe option for production payloads and customer data. You can inspect the structure quickly and close the tab when done.

Common use cases

API response inspection

Paste a response body to confirm shape, optional fields, and nested arrays.

Config validation

Check feature flags or configuration files before deploying a change.

Webhook debugging

Inspect event payloads to ensure required fields are present and correctly typed.

Data exploration

Browse large JSON exports without loading a database tool or writing a script.

Support triage

Validate a sample payload quickly without sending it to external services.

How it works

  1. 1

    Load JSON via paste or file drop. The viewer reads the content in the browser.

  2. 2

    A parser validates syntax and builds a tree of objects and arrays.

  3. 3

    The tree renders with indentation and type hints to make the structure clear.

  4. 4

    Expand or collapse branches to focus on the parts you care about.

Workflow notes

Start by identifying the top-level type. Some APIs return an array, others return an object with nested metadata. Knowing this first step helps you interpret the rest of the tree and decide whether the payload is complete or only a slice.

For large payloads, scan array items for consistency. If one object has missing keys or unexpected types, it often points to data quality issues or optional fields that need handling in code. The viewer makes those inconsistencies visible without additional tooling.

If you need a specific field, note its path from the root, such as user.profile.address. Keeping that path handy makes it easier to reference the field in queries, transformations, or API clients later.

Common pitfalls to avoid

Trailing commas and comments are not valid JSON. If the viewer fails to parse, check for those issues first, especially in manually edited files.

IDs and numeric codes can look like numbers but should remain strings to preserve leading zeros or long identifiers. Confirm the intended type before converting values.

Deeply nested payloads can hide relationships. Avoid copying a subtree without context, or you may miss dependencies defined elsewhere in the JSON.

Practical guidance

When exploring an API response, look at required and optional fields separately. A field that is sometimes missing needs defensive handling in code. The viewer helps you confirm that a missing key is truly absent rather than simply null or empty.

If you plan to store JSON in a database, check for array sizes and nested depth. Extremely deep nesting may need flattening for queries, and very large arrays can become performance bottlenecks. Use the viewer to decide whether you should normalize the data before storing it.

For documentation, prefer formatted JSON with consistent ordering. The viewer is a good final check for readability, but pair it with the formatter to produce examples that are stable across versions and easier to diff in version control.

Additional notes

When you inspect JSON, keep an eye on arrays that can be empty. An empty array might be a valid response, but it can also indicate a filter or pagination issue. The viewer makes it obvious when a collection is empty so you can double check the request that produced it.

If your payload includes timestamps, confirm they are in the expected format and time zone. Differences between ISO strings and epoch numbers can cause subtle bugs. Use the viewer to spot those differences before you parse the data in code.

Tips for better results

If your JSON is minified, run it through the JSON Formatter first, then view the formatted output here for easier browsing.

For large arrays, collapse sibling objects and scan one branch at a time to keep context.

FAQ

Does it validate JSON?

Yes. The viewer parses the input and will fail fast if the JSON is invalid. For full formatting, use the JSON Formatter.

Is my data uploaded anywhere?

No. JSON is parsed locally in your browser and never sent to a server.

Can I view JSON Lines (one object per line)?

The viewer expects a single JSON object or array. For JSON Lines, split the file or use the Text Formatter to combine entries.

What about huge files?

Large payloads are supported, but your browser memory is the limit. Start with a sample if the file is extremely large.

Can I copy a subtree?

The viewer is read-only. Copy the raw JSON from the input if you need to extract a section.

Does it support comments?

JSON does not allow comments. Remove them before viewing or switch to a JSON5 compatible tool.

Related tools

Keep your workflow moving with these related utilities.