Free JSON Unescape Tool – Decode JSON Escape Sequences Online
Instantly unescape JSON strings in your browser. Converts \n, \t, \", \\ and Unicode sequences back to readable characters. Also supports escape mode. Free, private, no server.
Input
Output
What Is JSON Unescape?
Ever copied a JSON string from a database or API response and found it full of \", \n, and \\ — making it completely unreadable? That's JSON escaping in action. According to RFC 8259 (the JSON spec), certain characters must be escaped inside JSON strings. This tool reverses that — it decodes all standard JSON escape sequences back into their original characters instantly, right in your browser.
This tool has two modes: Unescape and Escape. Toggle between them at the top. Both run in your browser; nothing is sent to a server.
How to Use This Tool
Choose Mode
Select Unescape to convert escape sequences back to special characters, or Escape to convert them forward.
Paste Input
Paste your escaped JSON string into the left editor. You can paste a JSON string value with escape sequences. Use Sample or Upload if needed.
Copy Result
The right panel updates automatically. Use Copy or Download to get the result. For parsing unescaped JSON strings into objects, try String to JSON.
JSON Unescape Examples
Unescaping converts escape sequences back to their original characters. Example:
Escaped input
Unescaped output
When Unescaping Matters
When you receive a JSON string from an API that has been double-escaped, or when you need to read a string that was stored with escape sequences, unescaping is essential. APIs sometimes return JSON as a string with escape sequences, and this tool helps you decode it back to the original format.
For parsing escaped JSON strings into objects, use the String to JSON tool which can parse escaped strings directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I unescape a JSON string online?
Paste your escaped JSON string into the input panel on this page (make sure "Unescape" mode is selected). The tool immediately decodes all escape sequences back to their original characters — no button press needed.
What JSON escape sequences does this tool handle?
All standard JSON escape sequences: \" → ", \\ → \, \n → newline, \t → tab, \r → carriage return, \b → backspace, \f → form feed, \uXXXX → Unicode character. These are all defined in RFC 8259.
Why does my JSON have \" and \n everywhere?
This usually happens when JSON is double-encoded — stored as a string inside another JSON string. The outer JSON layer escapes the inner quotes and special characters. Use this tool to unescape the inner layer and get back the original readable JSON.
Is my data sent to a server when I use this tool?
No. Everything runs entirely in your browser. Your input is never uploaded or sent anywhere.
What if the input is not valid JSON?
No problem. The tool replaces known escape sequences regardless of whether the overall input is valid JSON. So it works on partial strings, malformed JSON, or plain text with escape sequences.
Related Tools
The JSON string escaping rules are in RFC 8259. MDN covers JSON in JavaScript. The JSON specification defines all escape sequences. For parsing, see JSON.parse() and JSON.stringify().