Is JSON UTF-8 or UTF-16?

JSON must be encoded in UTF-8, UTF-16, or UTF-32, but UTF-8 is the default and most commonly used encoding. The JSON specification (RFC 8259) states that JSON text exchanged between systems should be encoded in UTF-8 for maximum interoperability. UTF-8 is preferred because it is backward compatible with ASCII, uses less space for common Latin characters, and is the standard encoding for web technologies. When you work with JSON in web applications, APIs, or our tools at jsonconsole.com, UTF-8 is automatically used. UTF-16 can be used for JSON, but it is less common and may cause compatibility issues. JSON files should explicitly use UTF-8 encoding to ensure they work correctly across all platforms and programming languages. Our JSON Editor and Formatter handle UTF-8 encoded JSON seamlessly, properly displaying international characters and special symbols.