Python JSON Indent: A Complete Guide

Indentation is the key to making complex JSON data readable. In Python, the standard json module provides powerful tools to customize how your data is indented and structured.

Customizing Indent Levels

While 4 spaces is the standard Python indent, you can use any value (including 0 or tabs) to suit your needs:

import json

data = {"status": "success", "meta": {"count": 1, "version": "1.0"}}

# Compact indentation (2 spaces)
print(json.dumps(data, indent=2))

# Tab indentation (using a string)
print(json.dumps(data, indent='\t'))

Python CLI: The Fastest Formatter

One of the best "hidden" features of Python is the built-in command-line tool. You can format any JSON file in your terminal without writing a single line of script code:

cat ugly.json | python -m json.tool

This simple command reads from standard input and pretty-prints the result to standard output. It's a quick way to validate and minify code without even opening a text editor.