Practical guide
How to use JSON Diff
JSON Diff compares data by structure rather than by visual line wrapping. It is useful when an API response, configuration file, or saved object has changed and you need the exact property path for each difference.
Step by step
- Paste valid JSON into the Original and Updated editors.
- Select Compare JSON.
- Review added, removed, and changed paths together with their before and after values.
Example
Input
Original: {"status":"draft","count":2}Result
Updated: $.status → ready; $.count → 3How it works
Objects are compared by key, arrays by index, and primitive values by type and value. The $ symbol represents the document root, with dot and bracket notation identifying nested data.
Important limitations
- Array reordering appears as changes at multiple indexes.
- Both documents must already be valid JSON; use JSON Fix first when parsing fails.
Frequently asked questions
Is key order treated as a difference?
No. Object properties are compared by key, so formatting and key order do not create false changes.
Can it compare very large responses?
It runs locally and can handle ordinary API payloads, but extremely large documents may be constrained by the device's memory.