What is a JSON File?

Before you figure out how to open it, it helps to know what it is. A .json file (JavaScript Object Notation) is essentially a standard text file that stores data in a structured, easy-to-read format. It is universally used by software to transfer data—like saving a game’s settings, exporting a Discord chat log, or downloading your Spotify history.

Because it is just plain text under the hood, you don’t need expensive software to open it!

Method 1: The Easiest Way (Online JSON Viewer)

If you just downloaded a .json file and want to see what is inside it immediately without installing anything, the fastest way is using an online tool.

Go to the Free IZHubs JSON Validator & Viewer.
Open your .json file using Notepad (Windows) or TextEdit (Mac).
Copy all the text and paste it into the left box of the tool.
Click Format.

The tool will automatically color-code the data, add proper indentations, and make it readable for human eyes. It will also warn you if the file is corrupted.

Method 2: How to Open JSON Files on Windows

If you don’t want to use the internet, Windows has built-in tools that can open JSON files perfectly fine.

Using Notepad (Quickest)

Right-click on your .json file.
Select Open with > Choose another app.
Scroll down and select Notepad.
(Optional) Check the box that says “Always use this app to open .json files” if you want to double-click them in the future.

Using Notepad++ (Best for Large Files)

If your JSON file is massive (like a Facebook data export), standard Notepad might freeze.

Download and install Notepad++ (it’s free).
Right-click your file and select Edit with Notepad++.
Pro Tip: Go to Plugins > Plugin Admin in Notepad++, search for “JSON Viewer”, and install it. This will let you format the text beautifully.

Method 3: How to Open JSON Files on Mac

Mac users also have a built-in text reader that can handle JSON.

Using TextEdit

Right-click (or Control-click) the .json file.
Go to Open With > TextEdit.
If it looks like a giant wall of unreadable text, it means the JSON was “minified” to save space. You will need to copy the text and use our Online JSON Formatter to “Beautify” it.

Using Visual Studio Code (For Developers)

If you look at JSON files often, downloading Microsoft’s free VS Code for Mac is the gold standard. It inherently understands JSON, highlights the syntax in different colors, and lets you format the document by hitting Shift + Option + F.

Method 4: How to Open JSON Files on iPhone or Android

Phones don’t have native .json openers out of the box, but you have two incredibly easy workarounds:

Option A: The Browser Trick (No App Required)

Open your device’s web browser (Safari or Chrome).
Navigate to jsonformatter.izhubs.com.
Open your phone’s Files/Files manager app, tap the JSON file, select all the text, and paste it into the browser tool.

Option B: Install a File Viewer App If you need to open files offline, search your App Store or Google Play Store for “JSON Genie” or “JSON Viewer”. These are lightweight apps dedicated solely to reading .json file extensions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I open a JSON file in Excel?

Yes and no. You can open Excel, go to Data > Get Data > From File > From JSON, and Excel’s Power Query will attempt to convert the data into a spreadsheet. However, because JSON data is often deeply nested (lists inside of lists), it rarely looks good in a flat Excel table without manual tweaking.

Why does my JSON file look like a giant block of random text?

That is called “minified” JSON. Developers remove all the spaces and enters (line breaks) to make the file size smaller for computers to download faster. To fix this so a human can read it, you must run it through a JSON Beautifier.

Are JSON files safe to open?

Yes! By nature, JSON is purely a data-storage format. It cannot execute code or run viruses like a .exe or .bat file can. However, you should still never download files from untrusted sources.