When do I need to escape JSON?

You need to escape JSON when you are embedding it as a string value inside another document. For example, storing a JSON object as a string in a database column, or including JSON as a value in another JSON object.

What characters are escaped in JSON strings?

JSON requires escaping: double quote (`\"`), backslash (`\\`), and the control characters: newline (`\n`), carriage return (`\r`), tab (`\t`), form feed (`\f`), and backspace (`\b`). Unicode characters outside ASCII may optionally use `\uXXXX` notation.

What is the difference between escaping and encoding?

Escaping replaces special characters with safe sequences within the same text format (e.g., `"` becomes `\"`). Encoding transforms the data into a different format entirely (e.g., Base64 encoding). Use the Base64 ↔ JSON tool for Base64 encoding.

Can I unescape a JSON string with this tool?

Yes. Paste an already-escaped string and toggle to unescape mode. The tool will convert escape sequences back to their original characters.

JSON Escape

Escape and unescape JSON strings including unicode, newlines, and special chars

Input

Output

Shortcuts: Ctrl+Enter run · Ctrl+L clear · Ctrl+D download

About JSON Escape

This tool escapes and unescapes JSON strings, handling special characters including double quotes, backslashes, newlines, tabs, and Unicode code points. It is useful when you need to embed a JSON string as a value inside another JSON document, embed JSON inside a JavaScript string literal, or debug string encoding issues.

✓Escapes double quotes, backslashes, newlines, tabs, carriage returns, and form feeds
✓Handles Unicode escape sequences (\uXXXX)
✓Reverse mode: unescapes a previously escaped JSON string
✓Useful for embedding JSON inside other JSON strings or JavaScript source code

JSON Escape

About JSON Escape

Frequently Asked Questions