Input

Sorted Output

What is JSON Sort?

Ever opened a JSON file and thought "why are these keys in such a random order?" This tool fixes that. It sorts all your JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) object keys alphabetically, making everything way easier to read and compare.

Key order doesn't change what a JSON object means (the RFC 8259 JSON specification calls objects unordered), but sorted keys make files much easier to scan and diff. This tool reorders keys and leaves every value alone, including big integers like 8901240544102066246, which keep every digit. If you want to know how JavaScript itself orders keys, MDN's Object.keys page explains it.

Everything happens in your browser – your JSON never leaves your computer. Sort it, organize it, and get back to work.

How to Use JSON Sort

Follow these steps to sort JSON object keys alphabetically. Each step uses the actual buttons and panels on this page.

Paste JSON or Upload File

Paste your JSON into the left Input panel, or click Upload to load a .json or .txt file. Click Sample to see example unsorted JSON. Example input:

{"carrier": "Verizon", "subscriberId": "SUB-1001", "plan": "5G"}

Output becomes {"carrier": "Verizon", "plan": "5G", "subscriberId": "SUB-1001"} – keys sorted A–Z. Valid per RFC 8259.

View Sorted Output

The right Sorted Output panel shows the result automatically. Keys are sorted at every level; nested objects are sorted recursively. Click A to Z to flip to Z to A and back. Values stay unchanged; only key order changes. Great for cleaner Git diffs and easier comparison.

Copy or Download

Click Copy to copy the sorted JSON to your clipboard, or Download to save as a file. Use Clear on the input panel to start over. All processing runs in your browser.

When You'd Actually Use This

Version Control

Sort JSON keys before committing to Git. Diffs get cleaner and easier to review, with less noise from keys that just moved around.

Comparison

Sort JSON objects before comparing them. When keys are in the same order, differences are easier to spot.

Config Files

Organize configuration files for better readability. Sorted keys make it easier to find and edit specific settings.

Easier Navigation

Find properties faster in large JSON objects. Alphabetical order makes it easier to locate specific keys.

Common Questions

Is my JSON data stored?

No. Sorting happens entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Your data never leaves your computer.

Does sorting change what the JSON means?

No. JSON object key order doesn't carry meaning, so sorted JSON parses to the same data as unsorted JSON. The exception is code that (wrongly) relies on key order, like a test comparing raw strings. That's usually exactly the thing sorting helps you catch.

What about arrays?

Arrays are not sorted – only object keys are sorted. Array element order is preserved. If you have an array of objects, each object's keys are sorted.

How are keys ordered exactly?

By plain character code, so uppercase sorts before lowercase (Zone comes before apple) and it isn't locale-aware. One JavaScript quirk to know: keys that look like non-negative integers ("2", "10") always come first, in numeric order, because that's how JavaScript objects store them. Nested objects are sorted the same way at every level.

What if my JSON is an array?

If your JSON is an array of objects, each object's keys will be sorted. The array order itself is preserved.

Does it work with invalid JSON?

No. The input JSON must be valid. If it's invalid, you'll see an error. Use the JSON Validator to find the problem or the JSON Fixer to repair it first.

Other JSON Tools You Might Need

Sorting is just one JSON task. Here are other tools that work well together: