JSON Parse Errors: 10 Common Fixes (With Examples)

# JSON Parse Errors: 10 Common Fixes (With Examples)

JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is the undisputed king of data exchange on the web. It is lightweight, human-readable, and heavily supported across virtually every programming language. However, JSON is also notoriously strict. A single misplaced comma or an unquoted key can cause a parser to throw a fatal error, bringing your application to a grinding halt.

If you are staring at a `SyntaxError: Unexpected Token` or a similar JSON parse error, don't panic. Most JSON issues stem from a handful of common pitfalls. Here are 10 of the most frequent JSON parse errors and exactly how to fix them, complete with examples.

1. Unquoted Keys In JavaScript, object keys can be unquoted, provided they are valid identifiers. However, strict JSON requires all keys to be wrapped in double quotes.

❌ Incorrect:
```json
{
name: "Jane Doe",
age: 30
}
```

✅ Correct:
```json
{
"name": "Jane Doe",
"age": 30
}
```

2. Using Single Quotes JSON strictly mandates the use of double quotes (`""`) for both keys and string values. Single quotes (`''`), backticks, or any other quotation marks will trigger a parse error.

❌ Incorrect:
```json
{
'name':