How to Read a JSON File in Python

JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is one of the most common data formats you'll encounter when working with APIs, configuration files, databases, and web services. Python makes reading JSON files straightforward — but the right approach depends on your data structure, file size, and what you plan to do with the data afterward.

What Is a JSON File?

A JSON file stores data as structured text using key-value pairs, arrays, and nested objects. It's human-readable and language-agnostic, which is why it's become a universal standard for data exchange.

A typical JSON file might look like this: