Find a nested JSON value and understand its exact location
The tree viewer exposes the hierarchy of objects and arrays so you can navigate a document without counting braces or indexes. Every visible node has a location you can copy.
When should you use it?
- Find a value several levels below an API response.
- Copy a bracket path for a bug report or query.
- Compare the shape of arrays and objects before writing code.
Example: locate a nested value
Array indexes start at zero. Copy path identifies a location; copy value returns the source JSON text.
{"team":[{"name":"Alex"},{"name":"Sam"}]}$["team"][1]["name"] → "Sam"Follow containers before individual values
Objects group named members; arrays group ordered items. Expand the outer container, find the relevant branch, and keep following its objects or array indexes. Array indexes start at zero, so the first item is [0]. A value displayed under a key is different from a similarly named key elsewhere in the document.
Copy a path that survives unusual property names
Bracket notation quotes each property name. A key containing a dot, a space, or a quote can therefore be represented without pretending that the punctuation is a navigation operator. Copying a value retrieves its original source text, which is useful for large numbers. The tree is a bounded preview; reaching its node limit does not mean the remaining source was deleted or validated less thoroughly.
Follow the branch that matters.
Expand one object or the full bounded preview. Types and child counts keep the structure understandable while path and value controls make a selected node useful outside the viewer.
Open your document
Valid JSON is converted into a bounded tree preview.
Explore or search
Expand branches, collapse them, or find keys and value excerpts.
Copy the relevant piece
Copy a JSON value or a bracket-notation JSONPath.
How do I find a nested JSON value and copy its exact path?
Open the document in Tree, expand the parent objects and arrays, and select the node. Copy Path gives a quoted bracket path, including zero-based array indexes. Copy Value returns the value from source text, which is useful when a large number must keep its original spelling.
JSON path for a nested array member
text{"users":[{"name":"Alex"},{"name":"Sam"}]}
$["users"][1]["name"] → "Sam"The path is a location in this document. Array position 1 means the second user; quoted brackets preserve unusual property names.
Can I use the copied path as a full JSONPath query?
It identifies one location, but the query tester supports a defined subset of JSONPath and can return multiple matches. Use JSONPath Query when you need wildcards or recursive names.
What should you check before using the result?
The tree is a bounded preview of at most 2,000 nodes. To evaluate a query across the document, use JSONPath Query; a copied path is only an address.
Paths and values mean different things
Copy path returns a location such as $["team"][0]["name"]. Copy value returns the original JSON text at that node, including quotes around strings. Duplicate object keys can make a path ambiguous; copying a value still selects that exact source occurrence.
Large-tree behavior
The preview is limited to 2,000 nodes and a text budget. Branches render on demand, and expand-all works in batches. Search covers the preview, including shortened value excerpts; it is not a full-document query engine. Copying a shown container retains its full original value.
Technical reference: JSON syntax and interoperability · RFC 8259