A webhook payload formatter takes raw JSON sent by platforms like GitHub, Stripe, Shopify, and Slack and makes it readable. Paste your payload to instantly see formatted JSON with syntax highlighting, field analysis, payload size, nesting depth — plus ready-to-use JavaScript and Python parsing code for your webhook handler.
Load Sample Payload
Paste JSON Payload
Field Type Breakdown
Paste a payload to see field types
Formatted JSON
Sample Parsing Code
Paste a payload to generate parsing code...
How to Use the Webhook Payload Formatter
Webhooks send JSON data to your server when events happen in external systems — a payment succeeds, a new order is placed, or a message is received. Reading raw webhook payloads is difficult because they are often minified (no whitespace) and deeply nested. This webhook payload formatter instantly makes them readable and helps you write the parsing code you need.
Step 1: Get Your Payload
There are several ways to capture a webhook payload for inspection. During development, use a tunneling tool like ngrok to expose your local server and log incoming requests. Tools like Webhook.site provide a temporary URL that shows you every request sent to it. You can also check your server access logs, or set your webhook handler to log the raw request body to your application logs. Copy the entire JSON body.
Step 2: Load a Sample or Paste Your Payload
Click one of the platform preset buttons (GitHub, Stripe, Shopify, Twilio, Slack, SendGrid) to load a realistic sample payload and explore the tool without needing a live webhook. Or paste your own raw JSON directly into the text area. The formatter parses it automatically as you type and displays the formatted output with syntax highlighting in the panel to the right.
Step 3: Read the Payload Analysis
The three stat cards show the total field count (including nested fields), the maximum nesting depth, and the payload size in bytes. The field type breakdown lists each field with its data type — string, number, boolean, null, array, or object. Understanding the types helps you avoid type errors in your webhook handler (for example, amount fields in Stripe are integers in the smallest currency unit, not floats).
Step 4: Use the Generated Parsing Code
Switch between JavaScript and Python to get a sample webhook handler that parses the key top-level fields from your payload. The JavaScript snippet shows how to parse the body in an Express.js handler. The Python snippet shows a Flask webhook route. Both include the correct Content-Type check and show how to access the main event type and nested data fields. Copy and adapt the code for your actual webhook handler.
Security Notes for Webhook Handlers
Always verify webhook signatures in production — every major platform (Stripe, GitHub, Shopify) includes a signature in the request headers that you must validate with your webhook secret before trusting the payload. Never process a webhook payload without signature verification, as this opens your system to spoofed events. Store your webhook secrets in environment variables, never in code.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a webhook payload?
A webhook payload is the JSON data that a platform sends to your server's URL when an event occurs. For example, when a Stripe payment succeeds, Stripe sends an HTTP POST request to your webhook endpoint containing a JSON payload describing the payment. Your server reads this payload to understand what happened and react accordingly — like updating a database or sending a confirmation email.
How do I inspect a webhook payload I received?
Copy the raw JSON body of the webhook request (from your server logs, a tool like ngrok, or a service like Webhook.site) and paste it into the formatter. You will see the JSON formatted with syntax highlighting, a field count, nesting depth, and data types for each field. The formatter also generates sample JavaScript and Python code to parse the most important fields.
Is my webhook data safe?
Yes. All formatting and analysis happens entirely in your browser using JavaScript. No webhook data is ever sent to any server. Your payload stays on your device. This is especially important for Stripe or Shopify payloads that may contain sensitive customer information.
What platforms does this webhook formatter support?
The formatter includes sample payloads for GitHub (push events), Stripe (payment_intent.succeeded), Shopify (orders/create), Twilio (SMS), Slack (events API), and SendGrid (email events). You can also paste any custom JSON payload — the analysis and code generation work for any valid JSON structure.
What is webhook payload nesting depth?
Nesting depth is how many levels deep the JSON structure goes. A flat payload like {"event": "paid", "amount": 100} has depth 1. A payload with nested objects like {"data": {"object": {"charges": {"data": []}}}} has depth 4. High nesting depth means you need to chain multiple property accesses in your parsing code (e.g., payload.data.object.charges.data[0].amount).
Is this webhook formatter free to use?
Yes, completely free. Paste any JSON webhook payload and get instant formatting, analysis, and code snippets with no account, no signup, and no usage limits.