JSON looks simple, but small syntax mistakes can break an API response or configuration file. A formatter makes structure visible and helps isolate the exact problem.
Watch commas and quotes
Trailing commas are invalid in standard JSON. Keys and string values require double quotes, not single quotes.
Validate before shipping
Paste the payload into a formatter or validator before using it in production. The best tools show the location of the syntax error and produce a readable indented version.
Keep machine and human needs separate
Pretty JSON is excellent for debugging, while minified JSON is useful when payload size matters.