CSV vs JSON

What Is CSV?

CSV (Comma-Separated Values) is a plain-text tabular format where each line is a row and fields are separated by commas (or other delimiters). It's universally supported by spreadsheets, databases, and data tools. CSV is compact and human-readable but lacks nested structure and type information.

What Is JSON?

JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a structured text format supporting nested objects, arrays, and typed values. It's the standard for web APIs and configuration files. JSON preserves data types and hierarchy but is more verbose than CSV.

When to Use CSV

• Spreadsheet import/export
• Database bulk loading
• Simple flat tabular data
• Maximum compatibility with legacy systems

When to Use JSON

• Web API request/response bodies
• Nested or hierarchical data
• Configuration files
• When data types must be preserved

Converting Between Formats

Use our free CSV to JSON Converter to transform CSV data into JSON arrays or keyed objects — all processed locally in your browser. For the reverse conversion, JSON Tools (coming soon) will handle JSON to CSV.