Practical sample JSON files - examples

Download for free the test dummy files for testing, and building your application. Examples files for downloading!

Looking for sample JSON files to enhance or test your projects? You’re in the right place! Our extensive library of JSON sample data sets is designed to meet all your needs, providing realistic and versatile datasets to help you build, test, and refine your applications with ease.

5 and 10 Level Nested JSON Files

{ 5 }Level Nested Formatted Versions
{ 10 } Level Nested Formatted Versions
{ 5 }Level Nested
Minified Versions
{ 5 } Level Nested Invalid Versions

Frequently Asked Questions

Basics of JSON Files

JSON files (JavaScript Object Notation) are a flexible and widely adopted format for managing structured data. It is known for its straightforward, human-readable syntax and effortless compatibility with numerous programming languages.

For those new to programming or data analysis, working with sample JSON files offers a practical way to grasp JSON syntax and structure. It provides a hands-on opportunity to experiment with real-world data formats.

Sample JSON are primarily used for testing and learning. We focus on providing well curated sample data sets that will help you test your application. These sample files are example files with dummy data. All the files can be downloaded for free!

Firstly, we need to ask the question: What is the JSON Format? Once we understand this, we can create a sample JSON file. We have made it easy for you by creating multiple sample files in .json format with varying file sizes.

In our site we have provided 3 ways to download the JSON Files. The first link opens the file in a new browser tab. The second link opens the file in our online json editor (json-format.com), indicated with symbol . The third is  a direct download to your computer, indicated with symbol Sample JSON file for testing.

Head over to our editor at json-format.com. Paste the above JSON object code. Click on Download. Voila you have created your first simple sample json file.
If you want to write a JSON example, begin with a simple list of key/value pairs inside curly braces. JSON stands for JavaScript Object Notation. It is easy to read, simple to use. Here is a basic example:
				
					{ "name": "John", 
  "age": 30, 
 "city": "New York" 
}
Each key is a word in quotes. The keys in the above example are “name”, “age”, and “city”. The value after the key can be text, a number, true or false, a list, or even another object. So the values for the above example are “John”, 30, and “New York”.
Here is a basic example of JSON file
				
					{
  "name": "John Doe",
  "age": 30,
  "isStudent": false,
  "hobbies": ["reading", "hiking", "gaming"],
  "address": {
    "street": "123 Main St",
    "city": "Anytown",
    "zip": "12345"
  }
}
The term JSON payload comes from the idea of a payload in computer science and networking. A payload means the real data being sent, not the extra information that explains how to deliver it. In other words, the payload is the ‘message content’.
When data moves between a client and a server, it often uses JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) format. JSON is popular because it is simple, easy to read, and works almost everywhere. The actual information inside the request or response, like user details, product info, or settings, is called the JSON payload.
For example:
				
					{ "id": 42, 
 "name": "John Doe", 
 "role": "Admin" 
 }
Here, the object with id, name, and role is the payload. The request headers might say what kind of data it is or who can access it, but the payload is the real data being sent.
That’s why it’s called a JSON payload: it is the important data, packed in JSON format, that gets sent between systems in an API request or response.
 In this data set we have provided the the following file sizes of JSON files. 
  •  1 KB
  • 10 KB
  • 100 KB
  • 500 KB
  • 1 MB
  • 5 MB
  • 10 MB
  • 20 MB
  • 30 MB
  • 50 MB
  • 100 MB
  • 200 MB
  • 300 MB
  • 500 MB 
  • 1 GB
 
 This list provides a good variety of file sizes that will help in your projects. We are the only site that provides files which of such large sizes. Hope that helps you in your project.

The last update for this list was on 11-August-2025.

Would you like larger files? Let us know, we would be happy to create one for you for free. Write to use at info@json-format.com 

Our objective is to be the largest repository of sample JSON files.

 

JSON files are plain-text documents formatted with key–value pairs. They use curly braces { } for objects and square brackets [ ] for arrays. Even a large JSON file sample download, JSON files download, or sample JSON file URL will follow the same structure as smaller files.

JSON is an example of a lightweight data-interchange format. It’s based on JavaScript object syntax but is language-independent—almost every programming language can parse and generate JSON. Whether you’re working with a large JSON file sample download, JSON files download, or sample JSON file URL, JSON is commonly used for:

  • Web APIs and REST services to send and receive structured data.
  • Configuration files in frameworks and tools.
  • Data storage for NoSQL databases like MongoDB.
Top 10 reasons for using Sample JSON
Developers often need example data to test apps, connections, or databases. A sample JSON file gives you organized, easy-to-use data, which helps you check your code and make sure everything works as expected. Sample JSON files can be used as starting points for making bigger or more detailed sets of data. By looking at how they are set up, you can quickly change and create new JSON files that fit your project.
In the following case, Sample JSON data can be used:
 
1. Practice Parsing Data:
Use a sample JSON file to practice reading and parsing data in different programming languages like Python, JavaScript, or Java.
 
2. UI/UX Prototyping:
Fill in mock user profiles, product lists, or messages in a prototype app or website with sample JSON data to simulate real user interaction.
 
3. API Integration Testing:
Use a sample JSON file to test how your app or service integrates with APIs before connecting to live servers.
 
4. Database Seeding:
Fill up databases like MongoDB, Firebase, or SQL systems with example data from a JSON file to copy real-life situations.
 
5. Error Handling and Validation Testing:
Check how your app deals with missing information, wrong kinds of data, or surprising setups in JSON files by using sample files with mistakes on purpose.
 
6. Learning Data Transformation:
Practice changing JSON into other types of files (like CSV, XML, or YAML) and back again to get better at working with different kinds of data.
 
7. Demo Projects and Portfolios:
Use sample JSON data in your projects to show your skills in working with data, connecting to other services, and building both the parts users see and the parts that run in the background.
 
8. Workflow Automation:
Put sample JSON files into automation tools like Zapier or Integromat to try out and test how your automated tasks work.
 
9. Performance Testing:
Put a big sample JSON file into your app to see how it works with lots of data and make it run better if needed. You should also use a sample JSON file with many entries to copy a real-life example.
 
10. Building Personal Tools:
Create small utilities like a to-do list, notes app, or inventory manager, using a sample JSON file as your starting dataset.
What does the JSON code look like?

Typically, the term “code” refers to programming languages and the rules that determine how instructions are written and executed by computers. Examples of code include Python, Java, and JavaScript, which are used to make programmes perform specific tasks. JSON, which stands for JavaScript Object Notation, originates from JavaScript but is designed solely for storing and exchanging data. It does not contain commands, functions, or logic to instruct a computer what to do—instead, it simply represents information in a structured format. As JSON is purely a data format and lacks the features of a true programming language, it is not accurate to refer to it as “JSON code.” Instead, it is better to call it a “JSON file,” “JSON data,” or a “JSON object.”

More Frequently Asked Questions

What is a JSON payload sample?

The word “payload” originates from networking and computer science, where it refers to the “meaningful data” carried within a transmission. Just like a package has a shipping label (metadata) and the actual product (payload), an API request has headers (like content type or authentication) and the payload (the data itself).

Structure of a JSON Payload

				
					{
  "key": "value"
}
Values can be:
  • Strings → “Hello”
  • Numbers → 42
  • Booleans → true or false
  • Null values → null
  • Arrays → [“apple”, “banana”, “cherry”]
  • Objects → { “nestedKey”: “nestedValue” }

Example 1: Simple JSON Payload

				
					{ 
  "id": 101, 
  "name": "Alice", 
  "email": "alice@example.com" 
}
This example shows a user with some basic information.

Example 2: Nested JSON Payload

				
					{
  "orderId": 555,
  "customer": { "id": 101, "name": "Alice" },
  "items": [
    { "product": "Laptop", "price": 1200 },
    { "product": "Mouse", "price": 25 }
  ]
}
In this example, the payload includes a customer object and a list of items. This kind of structure is often used in e-commerce APIs.

JSON Payload in GET vs POST Requests

  • GET Request → Usually doesn’t include a payload, since data is passed in the URL.
  • POST Request → Sends a JSON payload in the body to create or update resources.
  • PUT/PATCH Request → Payload contains updated resource fields.
  • DELETE Request → Often doesn’t require a payload, but may include one with specific conditions.

Common Mistakes in JSON Payloads

  • Missing Quotes around keys → { name: “Alice” } ❌
  • Trailing Commas for the last key → { “id”: 101, } ❌
  • Incorrect Data Types for number → { “price”: “100” } ❌ instead of { “price”: 100 }
  • Encoding Issues when sending special characters.

Sample JSON API: The Best Way to Learn and Test APIs

If you’re new to APIs or just want a simple way to test your code, a Sample JSON API is a great place to begin. JSON is the most common format for sharing data online. Whether you’re building an app, testing a website, or trying out back-end code, a sample JSON API can help you work faster.

What is a Sample JSON API?

A sample JSON API is a free or mock API that gives you ready-made JSON data for your projects. You don’t need to worry about authentication, rate limits, or payments. These APIs let you practice safely with test data.
For example, making a request to a sample JSON API might return:
				
					{
  "id": 42,
  "title": "Sample JSON API Post",
  "author": "Jane Developer",
  "status": "published"
}

Why Should You Use One?

Here are a few reasons developers love using sample JSON APIs:
  • 🚀 Practice without stress – no API keys or complex setup.
  • 🛠 Perfect for learning – try out GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE requests.
  • 🎨 Great for front-end demos – test UI components with realistic data.
  • ⚡ Quick prototypes – mock up projects before integrating real APIs.

A good set of Free Sample JSON APIs You Can Try

Here are some popular options to get started with:

Sample JSON Array: Definition and Example

A JSON array is a common way to organize data in JSON. Arrays are lists of values inside square brackets, with each value separated by a comma. Each item can be a string, number, boolean, object, or even another array. This flexibility makes JSON arrays useful for storing things like users, products, or messages.
For example, a simple JSON array of fruits looks like this:
				
					[
  "Apple",
  "Banana",
  "Mango",
  "Orange"
]
A more advanced sample JSON array with objects:
				
					[
  { "id": 1, "name": "Alice", "age": 25 },
  { "id": 2, "name": "Bob", "age": 30 },
  { "id": 3, "name": "Charlie", "age": 28 }
]