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Convert JSON Arrays to JSON Lines Online Convert a JSON array into JSON Lines (JSONL) format — one object per line.

JSON to JSON Lines illustration
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JSON to JSON Lines

Convert a JSON array into JSON Lines (JSONL) format — one object per line.

1

Paste JSON array

Paste a JSON array into the input field.

2

View JSONL output

Each array element appears as a compact JSON line.

3

Copy or download

Copy the JSONL output for use in data pipelines.

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What Is JSON to JSON Lines?

A JSON to JSON Lines is a file-conversion process that transforms a standard JSON array into JSON Lines format, where each line represents a complete, self-contained JSON value without any unnecessary whitespace or indentation. This conversion is commonly used by data engineers and developers who work with large datasets, log files, or streaming data, as it enables more efficient processing and analysis of the data one line at a time. One specific problem that this process solves is the need to convert json to ndjson format for big data processing tools, which often require input data in JSONL format.

The tool uses React's useCallback hook to memoize the conversion function, ensuring that it only re-renders when necessary, and takes an input string representing a JSON array. It checks if the parsed input is indeed an array, returning an error message if not, and then maps over each item in the array, converting it to compact JSON using JSON.stringify before joining them with newline characters. What makes this tool different is its ability to handle json to jsonl conversion directly within the browser, using a simple text-based interface that accepts input as a JSON array string.

When you use it, you can paste or type your json array into the input field and get back a json lines output, where each element of the original array becomes one line in the resulting ndjson format. The tool's output is ideal for applications requiring convert json to jsonl functionality, such as log processing or real-time data analysis tools that expect jsonl converter output.

Why Use JSON to JSON Lines?

  • Simple, fast conversion from JSON arrays to line-delimited format.
  • Compact output with no whitespace — ideal for streaming and logs.
  • Each line is independently parseable — perfect for parallel processing.
  • Standard JSONL/NDJSON format used by many data tools.

Common Use Cases

Data Streaming

Convert JSON arrays to JSONL for streaming through Kafka, Kinesis, or similar systems.

BigQuery Import

Generate JSONL format required by Google BigQuery for data loading.

Log Generation

Create structured log entries in JSONL format from JSON data.

Large Dataset Processing

Convert large JSON arrays to line-delimited format for memory-efficient processing.

Technical Guide

The conversion is straightforward: the JSON input is parsed, validated as an array, and each element is serialized to a compact JSON string using JSON.stringify() without indentation. Elements are joined with newline characters.

This produces standard JSON Lines format where each line is a complete, valid JSON value. The format is sometimes called NDJSON (Newline-Delimited JSON) or JSON-seq.

The key advantage of JSONL over regular JSON arrays: each line can be parsed independently, enabling line-by-line processing, parallel parsing, and streaming without loading the entire file into memory.

Tips & Best Practices

  • 1
    Input must be a JSON array. Single objects are not valid input.
  • 2
    Each output line is compact JSON with no whitespace or indentation.
  • 3
    JSONL format is required by BigQuery, many logging systems, and data streaming tools.
  • 4
    Lines can be processed independently — ideal for parallel and streaming workloads.

Related Tools

Frequently Asked Questions

Q What is JSON Lines?
JSON Lines (JSONL) is a format where each line is a complete, valid JSON value. It is ideal for streaming, logging, and processing large datasets.
Q Is JSONL the same as NDJSON?
Yes, JSON Lines and NDJSON (Newline-Delimited JSON) refer to the same format.
Q Why use JSONL instead of regular JSON?
JSONL enables line-by-line processing, streaming, and parallel parsing. Regular JSON arrays must be fully loaded into memory.
Q Can I convert back to a JSON array?
Yes, use our JSON Lines to JSON converter for the reverse direction.
Q Does each line need to be an object?
No, each line can be any valid JSON value (object, array, string, number, boolean, null). But objects are most common.

About This Tool

JSON to JSON Lines is a free online tool by FreeToolkit.ai. All processing happens directly in your browser — your data never leaves your device. No registration or installation required.