How to Open and Read a .json File (Even if You're Not a Coder)

My mom called me last week. She'd received a file from her insurance company, and she couldn't open it. "It says it's a JSON file," she told me. "What's that? Do I need special software?"

I walked her through opening it, and honestly? It was easier than I expected. But it made me realize that JSON files can be intimidating if you're not a developer. They look like code, they have weird formatting, and most people have no idea what to do with them.

The truth is, you don't need to be a programmer to read a JSON file. You just need to know how to open it. Here's everything you need to know, explained in plain English.

What is a JSON File, Anyway?

Let's start with the basics. JSON stands for "JavaScript Object Notation," but don't let that scare you. You don't need to know JavaScript. Think of JSON as a way to store information in a structured format.

Imagine you have a contact list. In a JSON file, it might look like this:

{
  "name": "John Smith",
  "phone": "555-1234",
  "email": "john@example.com"
}

It's just data organized in a specific way. The curly braces {} contain an object (like a contact), and the information is stored as pairs: a label (like "name") and a value (like "John Smith").

JSON files are everywhere these days. APIs use them. Apps export data as JSON. Configuration files are often JSON. You've probably encountered one without even realizing it.

Why JSON Files Look Weird

Here's the thing: JSON files are plain text files, but they're formatted in a way that's easy for computers to read, not necessarily easy for humans. When you first open one, it might look like this:

{"name":"John Smith","phone":"555-1234","email":"john@example.com","address":{"street":"123 Main St","city":"New York"}}

That's all on one line, and it's hard to read. But it's the same information—just compressed. The good news is, you can make it readable with the right tool.

Method 1: Open with a Text Editor (The Simple Way)

The easiest way to open a JSON file is with any text editor. On Windows, that's Notepad. On Mac, it's TextEdit. Here's how:

Windows:

Right-click on the JSON file
Select "Open with"
Choose "Notepad" (or "Notepad++" if you have it installed)

Mac:

Right-click on the JSON file
Select "Open with"
Choose "TextEdit"

What you'll see: The raw JSON text, probably all on one line or with minimal formatting. It'll be readable, but not pretty.

Pros: Works immediately, no software to install Cons: Hard to read if the file is large or not formatted

Method 2: Use an Online JSON Viewer (The Easy Way)

This is my favorite method for non-developers. Online JSON viewers format the file nicely, making it much easier to read. Here's how:

Open the JSON file in Notepad or TextEdit (using Method 1)
Copy all the text (Ctrl+A, then Ctrl+C on Windows, or Cmd+A, then Cmd+C on Mac)
Go to an online JSON formatter like our JSON Formatter
Paste the text into the input box
Click "Format" or "Beautify"

Suddenly, that messy one-line JSON becomes something like this:

{
  "name": "John Smith",
  "phone": "555-1234",
  "email": "john@example.com",
  "address": {
    "street": "123 Main St",
    "city": "New York"
  }
}

Much better, right? The online tool organizes it with proper indentation, making it easy to see the structure.

Pros: Free, no installation, makes JSON readable Cons: Requires internet connection, you're pasting data online (though our tool runs entirely in your browser)

Method 3: Use a JSON Viewer App (The Desktop Way)

If you work with JSON files regularly, you might want a dedicated app. Here are some good options:

Windows:

JSON Viewer (free, available in Microsoft Store)
Notepad++ (free text editor with JSON formatting)

Mac:

JSON Viewer (free, available in Mac App Store)
Visual Studio Code (free, but more technical)

These apps automatically format JSON files when you open them, so you don't have to do anything extra.

Pros: Automatic formatting, works offline Cons: Requires installation, might be overkill for one file

Method 4: Open in a Web Browser (The Quick Check)

This is a neat trick: most web browsers can display JSON files. Just:

Right-click on the JSON file
Select "Open with"
Choose your web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.)

The browser will display the JSON in a formatted, readable way. You can even expand and collapse sections if the file is complex.

Pros: Already installed on your computer, formats automatically Cons: Not as feature-rich as dedicated tools

Understanding What You're Looking At

Once you've opened the file, here's how to make sense of it:

Curly Braces {}: These contain an object—a collection of related information. Like a contact card with name, phone, email.

Square Brackets []: These contain an array—a list of items. Like multiple phone numbers or a list of addresses.

Quotes "": Text values are always in quotes. Numbers and true/false values aren't.

Colons :: These separate the label from the value. Like "name" : "John Smith"

Commas ,: These separate different pieces of information.

Here's a real example:

{
  "employees": [
    {
      "name": "John Smith",
      "department": "Sales",
      "active": true
    },
    {
      "name": "Jane Doe",
      "department": "Marketing",
      "active": true
    }
  ]
}

Breaking it down:

employees is a list (array) of people
Each person has a name, department, and active status
The true means they're currently active employees

Common Problems and Solutions

Problem: "Windows can't open this file" Solution: Windows doesn't know what program to use. Right-click, choose "Open with," and pick Notepad or a web browser.

Problem: "The file looks like gibberish" Solution: It's probably all on one line. Use an online formatter to make it readable, or open it in a web browser.

Problem: "I can't find the information I need" Solution: Use the search function (Ctrl+F or Cmd+F) to search for keywords. JSON files can be large, and searching is faster than scrolling.

Problem: "The file won't open at all" Solution: Make sure it's actually a JSON file. Check that it ends in .json. If it's a different format, you might need different software.

When You Need to Edit a JSON File

Sometimes you need to change something in a JSON file. Here's what to know:

Be careful with formatting: JSON is picky. Missing a comma or quote can break the file.
Use an online formatter: After editing, format it to make sure it's still valid.
Validate before saving: Use a JSON validator to check for errors.

If you're just reading the file, you don't need to worry about this. But if someone asks you to update a value, these tips will help.

Real-World Scenarios

Here are some common situations where you might encounter JSON files:

API Responses: When a website or app sends you data, it's often in JSON format. Developers use this, but sometimes you need to check what data you're receiving.

Configuration Files: Many apps store settings in JSON files. If you need to change a setting that's not in the app's menu, you might edit the JSON file directly.

Data Exports: Some services export your data as JSON. You might want to read it to see what information they have about you.

Backup Files: Apps sometimes create JSON backups. If you need to restore something, you might need to read these files.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open JSON files on my phone?

Yes! Use text editor apps (iOS: Textor, Android: QuickEdit) or dedicated JSON viewer apps from app stores. You can also paste JSON into mobile browser-based formatters like our JSON Formatter.

Why won't my JSON file open in Excel?

Excel doesn't natively support JSON. You need to import it (Data → Get Data → From File → From JSON) or convert it to CSV first. See our JSON to CSV guide for conversion options.

How do I know if a file is really JSON?

Check the file extension (.json) and open it in a text editor. JSON starts with { or [ and contains quoted keys. If it looks different, it might be XML, YAML, or another format.

Can I open very large JSON files?

Large files (100MB+) can crash text editors or browsers. Use specialized tools like JSONLint Desktop, command-line tools (jq), or streaming parsers. For web viewing, break large files into smaller chunks.

What if the JSON has personal or sensitive data?

Use offline tools (text editors, desktop apps) or browser-based formatters like ours that process data client-side without sending it to servers. Never paste sensitive data into untrusted online tools. Learn about privacy-first JSON formatting.

Real-World Use Cases

Understanding how to open JSON files helps in many situations:

Configuration Management: Applications store settings in JSON. Knowing how to read these files lets you customize applications beyond GUI options.

API Development: When debugging APIs, you'll frequently examine JSON responses to understand data structures and spot issues. Learn more about JSON payloads.

Data Recovery: If an application crashes, JSON backup files might contain your data. Knowing how to open and read them can save lost work.

Learning and Education: Reading JSON files from open-source projects helps you understand data structures and API designs.

For more on JSON fundamentals, see our beginner's guide to JSON and working with nested JSON.

External Resources

JSON.org - Official JSON specification
Notepad++ - Free text editor with JSON support
Visual Studio Code - Professional code editor
jq Manual - Command-line JSON processor

The Bottom Line

Opening a JSON file doesn't require special skills or expensive software. It's just a text file with a specific format. The hardest part is making it readable, and that's where online tools shine.

My recommendation? Start with Method 1 (text editor) to see the raw file, then use Method 2 (online formatter) to make it readable. It takes about 30 seconds, and suddenly that intimidating JSON file becomes understandable.

If you find yourself working with JSON files regularly, consider installing a dedicated JSON viewer app. But for occasional use, the text editor + online formatter combo works perfectly.

Remember: JSON files aren't scary. They're just a way to organize information. Once you know how to open and format them, you'll realize they're actually pretty straightforward.

Need to format a JSON file right now? Head over to our JSON Formatter, paste in your JSON, and click format. You'll see how much easier it is to read when it's properly formatted. For more JSON help, check our guides on JSON validation, JSON formatting, and parsing JSON in JavaScript.

And if you get stuck? Don't panic. JSON files are just text. You can't break your computer by opening one. The worst that happens is you see some text you don't understand—and now you know how to make it understandable.