JSON Diff – Compare JSON Side by Side
Compare two JSON documents side-by-side. See exactly what changed, was added, or removed.
What is JSON Diff?
A JSON diff compares two JSON documents and shows exactly what changed — added, removed, and modified values — highlighted side by side with their exact paths. Unlike a text diff, this tool is semantic: it understands JSON structure, so reordering object keys or reformatting whitespace produces no false changes. Paste both documents, click Compare, and read the result in seconds. Everything is computed client-side — your documents never leave your browser.
Why use a semantic JSON diff?
Every difference is reported at its JSON path (for example $.items[2].price: 49 → 59), so you can see not just that a value changed but where and from what. That makes it ideal for spotting what an API changed between versions, confirming a config edit did only what you intended, or verifying test fixtures before and after a migration. Results can be copied as a structured JSON array for tickets or scripts. Because comparison runs in your browser, sensitive payloads are never sent to a server.
How to use the diff tool.
- Paste the original JSON in the left editor
- Paste the modified JSON in the right editor
- Click "Compare" to see all differences highlighted below
- Copy the diff as JSON, or hand the document to another tool via "Open in"
You can also drag & drop a .json file, or fetch JSON from a URL using the toolbar.
Related JSON tools.
Before comparing, you may want to validate both documents. After diffing, common next steps:
FAQ.
What is the difference between a semantic and a text diff?
A text diff compares lines of characters, so reformatting or reordering JSON keys shows up as changes. A semantic diff, like this one, understands JSON structure — it compares objects, arrays, and values by their position in the data, so only real changes are reported.
Does key order matter?
No. The diff is semantic — it compares structure and values, not text. Reordering keys in an object won't produce false changes.
What do the colors mean?
Green/cyan means a value was added. Red means a value was removed. Yellow means a value was changed (old and new values are shown).
Can I copy the diff results?
Yes — click 'Copy diff as JSON' to copy the structured diff array to your clipboard.
Is my data uploaded to compare it?
No. Both documents are compared locally in your browser; nothing is uploaded or stored. Your data never leaves the device.
Looking for a different transformation? Explore thefull JSON toolkit— 11 free, private, in-browser tools that never upload your data.