Enter JSON and a JSONPath expression to see results
JSONPath Syntax Reference
Basics
$- Root element$.field- Property access$.a.b- Nested property$['key']- Bracket notation
Arrays
$[0]- Array index (first)$[-1]- Last element$[0:3]- Slice (index 0-2)$[*]- All elements
Recursive
$..field- Find field at any depth$..name- All "name" values
Filters
$[?(@.age>25)]- Numeric comparison$[?(@.x==true)]- Boolean check$[?(@.s!="x")]- Not equal
How to Use JSON Path Finder
- 1
Paste or Load JSON Data
Paste your JSON into the input panel or click the sample button to load example data. The tool accepts any valid JSON including objects, arrays, and deeply nested structures from API responses. - 2
Write a JSONPath Expression
Type a JSONPath expression in the query bar. Start with $ for the root, then use dot notation ($.users), bracket notation ($['key']), wildcards ($[*]), or recursive descent ($..name) to target the data you need. - 3
Review Matched Results
Click Run or press Enter to execute the query. The output panel displays all matched values with syntax highlighting. Each result shows its resolved path as a clickable chip you can copy to your clipboard. - 4
Refine and Export
Iterate on your expression using the built-in examples and syntax reference as guides. Once you have the results you need, copy individual paths, copy the full result set, or download the matched data as a JSON file.
Common Use Cases
API Response Debugging
Configuration File Auditing
Test Assertion Preparation
Data Extraction from Logs
Why Use JSON Path Finder?
JSON Path Finder is a free browser-based tool for querying JSON documents with JSONPath expressions. JSONPath works like XPath for XML — it gives you a concise syntax to navigate objects, select array elements, apply filters, and recursively search nested structures. Whether you are debugging an API response, auditing a configuration file, or preparing assertions for an automated test suite, this tool lets you write, test, and refine your expressions in real-time with instant visual feedback.
The tool supports the full JSONPath specification: dot and bracket notation, wildcard selectors, array slicing with start/end/step, recursive descent ($..), and filter expressions with comparison operators. Results display matched values alongside their resolved paths, so you always know exactly where each value lives in the document. You can copy individual paths, export matched data as JSON, and explore categorized examples covering basics, wildcards, recursive descent, and conditional filters.
All processing happens entirely in your browser — your data never leaves your machine. For related workflows, use the JSON Formatter to pretty-print raw payloads before querying, the JSON Visualizer to explore data as an interactive tree, or the jq Playground when you need full data transformation beyond simple selection. If you are working with schemas, the JSON Schema Validator can verify structure before you query it.
How It Compares
JSONPath and jq are the two dominant approaches to querying JSON, but they solve different problems. JSONPath is a selection language — you write an expression like $.store.book[?(@.price<10)].title and get back matching values. It is lightweight, easy to learn, and widely supported in testing frameworks (Postman, REST Assured, Karate) and backend libraries across Java, Python, JavaScript, and Go. jq, on the other hand, is a transformation language. It can select data, but it can also reshape, aggregate, and construct entirely new JSON structures.
Choose JSONPath when your goal is to locate and extract specific values from a document — especially when the expression will be embedded in application code or test assertions. Choose jq when you need to pipe data through multiple transformation steps, compute aggregates, or produce restructured output. Both tools are available free on FindUtils: test selection expressions here in the JSON Path Finder, then switch to the jq Playground when your workflow demands transformation.