Key Takeaways
- Consistency is King: Stick to one naming convention (camelCase recommended).
- Security First: Never expose sensitive data or allow circular references.
- Readability: Use 2 or 4 spaces for indentation and keep structures logical.
- Validation: Always validate input/output using professional tools.
Introduction
What is JSON?
JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is the language of modern web APIs. It’s simple, lightweight, and human-readable—but only if you format it correctly. A poorly structured JSON response can lead to integration nightmares, security vulnerabilities, and frustrated developers.
Why JSON Formatting Matters for Teams
JSON has become the de facto standard for data interchange, replacing older formats like XML. In a professional environment, consistent formatting ensures that your data is not just parsable by machines, but also maintainable by engineers. From debugging microservices to documenting APIs, “clean” JSON is a hallmark of high-quality software engineering.
Whether you are building a REST API, configuring a microservice, or just saving data, this guide will turn your messy JSON into a clinical masterpiece.
1. The Golden Rules of Formatting 📏
Indentation: Spaces vs. Tabs
Consistency makes your code readable. The standard for JSON is 2 spaces or 4 spaces.
✅ Readable (2 Spaces):
{
"user": {
"id": 123,
"name": "Jane Doe"
}
}
❌ Minified (Machine-only):
{"user":{"id":123,"name":"Jane Doe"}}
Pro Tip: Need to prettify ugly JSON instantly? Use our free JSON Formatter & Validator.
Naming Conventions: camelCase vs. snake_case
There is no “wrong” choice, but mixing them is a sin.
- camelCase (
firstName): Standard for JavaScript/Node.js environments. - snake_case (
first_name): Common in Python, PHP, and Ruby APIs.
✅ Consistent: Use camelCase or snake_case consistently across your entire API.
❌ Mixed Conventions: Never mix user_id and userName in the same response.
2. Data Types & Structure 🏗️
Be Explicit with Data Types
Don’t send numbers as strings or booleans as integers (0/1). Valid JSON types are strict.
✅ Explicit: Always use strict typing for numbers and booleans (e.g., {"price": 29.99, "available": true}).
❌ Vague: Avoid sending numbers as strings or booleans as integers (e.g., {"price": "29.99", "available": "true"}).
Handling Dates
JSON doesn’t have a Date type. Always use ISO 8601 strings (UTC).
✅ Standard: {"createdAt": "2026-02-06T14:30:00Z"}
3. Security Best Practices 🔒
JSON isn’t just data; it’s an attack vector if mishandled.
Prevent Information Leakage
Never include sensitive internal fields in your public API responses.
✅ Always filter internal fields before sending JSON to the client. ❌ Never return hashes, internal IPs, or database IDs that aren’t meant for public consumption.
Input Validation
Always validate incoming JSON structure and types. If you are working with Go, our JSON to Go Converter helps generating strong typed structs to prevent type-mismatch errors.
4. Structuring for Scale 🚀
Envelope Pattern (Standard Response)
Wrap your data in a standard envelope to handle metadata, pagination, and errors consistently.
Recommended Structure:
{
"success": true,
"data": { "users": [...] },
"meta": { "page": 1, "total": 500 }
}
Conclusion: Your Path to Better API Design
Formatting JSON is a small habit that yields massive returns in maintainability, scalability, and developer experience. By sticking to these best practices, you ensure your API is not just functional, but a joy for other developers to integrate with.
Ready to clean up your code? Head over to our JSON Formatter and start beautifying your data today!
