Do whitespace and object-key order count as differences?

No. Both inputs are parsed first, so indentation and object property order do not create semantic changes.

How should arrays of records be matched?

Use By Key when objects have a stable id, uuid, name or another unique property. By Index is appropriate when position itself defines identity.

What does Ignore Array Order change?

It treats ordering as irrelevant where supported by the comparison model. Do not enable it when sequence conveys meaning.

Is the JSON Patch ready to apply blindly?

It follows RFC 6902 operations for the computed comparison, but patches should still be reviewed against the exact target document and chosen array options.

Back to Developer & Data Tools

JSON Diff & Compare

Compare JSON by structure rather than formatting, tune array matching and export a precise change list or JSON Patch.

Compare JSON structures locally. Formatting and object key order do not create differences.

Original JSON

Type, paste, upload or drop a .json file

Modified JSON

Type, paste, upload or drop a .json file

Comparison Options

Ignore Array OrderArray Matching

Match Key

Ignore Paths (one per line)

Use exact JSONPath-style paths with property, array index or wildcard selectors. Examples: $.metadata.timestamp, $['unusual key'], $.items[*].updatedAt.

Ready to compare

Enter both JSON documents and click Compare JSON.

Both documents and all comparison results stay in this browser. JSON content is parsed as data and never executed.

How to use JSON Diff & Compare

1
Paste, upload or drop the Original JSON and Modified JSON into their separate editors.
2
Choose whether to ignore array order or match array objects by index, id, uuid, name or a custom property.
3
Add any JSON paths that should be ignored during comparison.
4
Click Compare JSON and review additions, removals and changed values.
5
Switch among Change List, Side-by-Side and JSON Patch, then copy or download the results.

Frequently asked questions

About JSON Diff & Compare

A text diff overreacts to indentation and reordered object keys. JSON Diff & Compare parses both documents and compares their data model, separating added, removed and changed paths from presentation noise. Array behavior remains configurable because ordered lists and keyed record collections require different notions of identity.

The same comparison feeds three views: a focused change inventory, highlighted side-by-side JSON and an RFC 6902 patch. Ignore paths can remove volatile metadata from the analysis. Inputs remain independent local snapshots, and changing either source or an option invalidates stale results until the user compares again.