JSON Debugging Tools

JSON Unquoted Key Error

Object keys must be quoted strings in strict JSON. This page shows the parser symptom, the invalid snippet, the fixed JSON, and the next validation step so the same error is not copied into an API body or config file.

JSON Debugging ToolsParser symptomInvalid snippetFixed snippet

Debugging path

  1. Find the parser symptom

    Find the unquoted key pattern in the invalid snippet.

  2. Fix the sample

    Fix the unquoted key syntax issue first, then run validation again before changing other fields.

  3. Validate the cleaned JSON

    Format the corrected unquoted key sample before sharing it in a bug report or API example.

JSON Unquoted Key Error invalid and fixed JSON

Copy the fixed JSON into the validator after comparing the failing sample.

ItemSnippet
Error messageUnexpected token n in JSON at position ...
Invalid JSON{ name: "Ada" }
Fixed JSON{ "name": "Ada" }

Copyable fixed snippet

Fixed JSON
{ "name": "Ada" }

Mistakes to avoid

  • Fixing one unquoted key instance but leaving the same pattern elsewhere.
  • Pasting JavaScript object syntax while fixing a unquoted key sample.
  • Moving a unquoted key sample into an API request before validation passes.