JSON Tools

What is the best way to view and edit a very large JSON file (1GB+) without freezing?

View and edit massive JSON files using specialized tools designed for large datasets. Our JSON Viewer at jsonconsole.com/json-viewer handles large files through efficient rendering and virtualization. For 1GB+ files, use desktop applications: VS Code with large file support, Sublime Text with syntax highlighting disabled, or specialized JSON editors like JSON Crack. Command-line tools like jq process huge files without loading entirely into memory: jq ".field" large.json. Stream processing with Node.js using streaming JSON parsers like JSONStream prevents memory issues. Split large files into smaller chunks for editing. Use database imports (PostgreSQL, MongoDB) for querying rather than editing as text. Online editors fail with files over 100MB due to browser memory limits. Enable virtual scrolling in editors supporting it. Disable unnecessary features like syntax highlighting for massive files. Use tail and head commands to view file portions. For editing, modify programmatically rather than opening entire file. Consider if you truly need text editing or if SQL queries suffice. Large JSON files benefit from database storage over text file editing.
Last updated: December 23, 2025

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