python-m-json.tool

Validate and pretty-print JSON data

TLDR

Pretty print JSON

$ python -m json.tool [file.json]

Format from stdin

$ echo '{"key":"value"}' | python -m json.tool

Compact output

$ python -m json.tool --compact [file.json]

Sort keys

$ python -m json.tool --sort-keys [file.json]

SYNOPSIS

python -m json.tool [options] [file]

python -m json.tool is a built-in Python module that validates and pretty-prints JSON data. It reads JSON from a file argument or standard input, checks for syntax errors, and outputs a formatted version with proper indentation for readability.The tool is useful for quickly inspecting API responses, configuration files, or any JSON output piped from other commands. Options control key sorting, indentation depth, and compact output mode. Since it ships with Python's standard library, it requires no additional installation.

PARAMETERS

FILE

JSON file to format.

--sort-keys

Sort object keys.

--compact

Compact output.

--indent N

Indentation level.

--no-ensure-ascii

Allow non-ASCII.

CAVEATS

Part of Python standard library. Basic functionality.

HISTORY

json.tool is a Python standard library module for JSON formatting.