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JSON Unescaper

Unescape JSON string literals and decode nested JSON strings into readable text or formatted JSON. Copy or download the result.

JSON Unescaper

Unescape JSON string literals and decode nested JSON strings into readable text or formatted JSON. Copy or download the result.

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JSON input

Decode nested JSON strings

Ready to run. Input limit: 1 MB characters.

Output

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Output actions

Ready to copy output once your result appears.

JSON Unescaper mini guide

Unescape JSON string literals and decode nested JSON strings into readable text or formatted JSON. Copy or download the result.

How to use JSON Unescaper

1Paste a valid JSON string literal, including its outer double quotes, or Load sample.
2Enable Decode nested JSON strings to continue decoding additional serialized layers.
3Select Unescape JSON, review the text or formatted JSON, then copy or download it.

What it is good for

• Decode serialized JSON inside a log value.
• Unwrap multiple whole-value JSON string layers.
• Inspect escaped newlines without executing code.

Example

Input

"{\"name\":\"Alice\",\"active\":true}"

Output

{
  "name": "Alice",
  "active": true
}

Rules and limitations

A serialized JSON string is different from a JSON object. The outer quotes define a string; escaped inner quotes and backslashes are decoded by JSON.parse. A valid object input is formatted directly without inventing an extra string layer.

Decode nested JSON strings repeatedly parses a string that contains another valid JSON value, stopping after 20 additional levels or when the remaining value is ordinary text. It never evaluates JavaScript expressions or runs code in the decoded content.

Plain decoded text is emitted as text; objects, arrays, numbers, booleans and null are rendered as formatted JSON. The nested option applies to the entire serialized value, not every property within a JSON object.

Common problems

Bare escaped fragments without outer quotes are not valid JSON. Add the correct string boundaries at the source rather than replacing every backslash, which can corrupt paths and Unicode escapes.

A decoded newline is an actual line break. JSON.stringify escapes line breaks when serializing a string again; that is expected and does not mean decoding failed.

Frequently asked questions

Why are outer quotes required?

The input must be valid JSON; a string literal needs outer double quotes.

Will it unescape every object property?

No. Nested decoding unwraps serialized whole values and leaves ordinary object properties unchanged.

Can it handle a JSON object?

Yes. A valid object is formatted without treating it as an escaped string.

Is unescaping JavaScript evaluation?

No. It uses JSON parsing and does not execute expressions.

Is my input uploaded or saved?

This tool processes input in your browser and does not save its input or output to local storage. Copy and download are user actions. The site uses analytics for page and action metadata and may use ads and production error reporting; see the Privacy Policy for those services.

About this tool

Maintained by Toolbench. For large or deeply nested files, split the input into smaller batches and verify representative results before using them in an import or application. Report reproducible problems through Contact.