JSON File Formats List (Complete Guide)

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JSON file formats are text-based data formats used to structure and exchange data between systems. The most common types include:

  • Standard JSON (.json) – Basic key-value structured format
  • JSON Lines (.jsonl / .ndjson) – Streamed records, one JSON object per line
  • GeoJSON (.geojson) – Geographical data representation
  • JSON5 (.json5) – Extended JSON with comments and relaxed syntax
  • TopoJSON (.topojson) – Compressed geospatial topology format
  • Schema-based JSON (OpenAPI, Swagger, etc.) – Used for API documentation
  • Custom Configuration JSON – Found in apps like VSCode, Node.js, and Docker

Check JSON file format​ online

What are the different types of JSON?

There are multiple types of JSON file formats designed for different applications and industries. Here’s a list of the most popular ones:

1. Standard JSON (.json)

The classic JSON structure used in APIs, web apps, and databases.

  • Structure: Key-value pairs
  • Use Case: REST APIs, config files, data exchange

2. JSON Lines (.jsonl / .ndjson)

A newline-delimited format where each line is a separate JSON object.

  • Use Case: Big data streaming, logging, machine learning pipelines

3. GeoJSON (.geojson)

Represents geographical features and coordinates.

  • Use Case: Mapping applications, GIS data
  • Example:
{
  "type": "Feature",
  "geometry": {
    "type": "Point",
    "coordinates": [125.6, 10.1]
  },
  "properties": {
    "name": "Sample Location"
  }
}

4. JSON5 (.json5)

A human-friendly JSON extension supporting comments, trailing commas, and unquoted keys.

  • Use Case: Developer configuration files
  • Advantage: Easier to read and edit

5. TopoJSON (.topojson)

An extension of GeoJSON that encodes topology (shared boundaries).

  • Use Case: Complex mapping and data compression

6. BSON (.bson)

Binary JSON format optimized for storage and retrieval.

  • Use Case: MongoDB databases
  • Advantage: Faster performance with complex data types

7. Custom JSON Schema Formats

Defined structures for validation and automation in applications.
Examples include:

  • OpenAPI (Swagger JSON) – Defines RESTful APIs
  • Package.json – Manages Node.js dependencies
  • Docker-compose.json – Defines container configurations

What kind of file format is JSON?

JSON is a text-based, lightweight, language-independent data format.
It’s based on JavaScript syntax but can be read and written by most programming languages including Python, C#, and Java.

Characteristics:

  • Human-readable and machine-parsable
  • Supports objects {}, arrays [], strings, numbers, and booleans
  • Uses UTF-8 encoding by default
  • Platform-independent

Note: JSON is ideal for web APIs, app configuration, and structured data exchange because it’s both simple and universal.

What is JSON with an example?

JSON represents structured data using key-value pairs.

Example:

{
  "employee": {
    "name": "Sarah",
    "role": "Data Analyst",
    "skills": ["Python", "SQL", "Power BI"]
  }
}

Explanation:

  • "employee" is the main object.
  • Inside, "name", "role", and "skills" are keys.
  • Values can be strings, numbers, arrays, or even nested objects.

This format is easy to generate and parse, making it ideal for data APIs, configuration management, and even web storage (localStorage).

What is the full form of JSON?

JSON = JavaScript Object Notation

It was developed by Douglas Crockford in the early 2000s to simplify data interchange between web clients and servers.

Why it matters:
Before JSON, data transfer used XML, which was verbose. JSON revolutionized web communication by being:

  • Faster to parse
  • Smaller in size
  • Easier to read and maintain

How to Validate or Format JSON Files

Step-by-Step JSON Validation:

  1. Open your JSON file in a code editor (VSCode, Sublime, or Notepad++).
  2. Copy the content and paste it into an online JSON validator (like jsonlint.com).
  3. Check for syntax errors such as missing commas or brackets.
  4. Reformat (pretty print) for better readability.

Recommended Tools:

  • JSON Formatter & Validator (Chrome Extension)
  • jq (Command Line Tool)
  • Postman – For testing APIs

Summary: Why JSON Formats Matter

JSON file formats make modern web and data systems possible.
They are lightweight, versatile, and compatible with almost every programming environment.

Key Takeaways:

  • JSON is universal and easy to read.
  • Multiple specialized versions exist for mapping, streaming, and schemas.
  • JSON-LD supports SEO and rich snippets.
  • JSON validation ensures clean, structured data for APIs and automation.

Final Thought

Whether you’re creating a simple config file or integrating a web API, understanding JSON formats is essential for modern data handling and web development.