JSONPath Syntax Reference
Learn every JSONPath operator and expression type with clear explanations. Test your expressions instantly in the browser — no server requests, no data leaves your machine.
JSON Path Tester
Test JSONPath expressions against your JSON data with real-time evaluation. Perfect for building API queries, data extraction, and debugging JSON structures.
About JSONPath
JSONPath is a query language for JSON, similar to XPath for XML. It lets you extract specific values from complex JSON structures using path expressions.
$— root object.key— child property[*]— all array elements[0],[0:3]— array index / slice..— recursive descent (search all levels)[?(@.price < 50)]— filter expression
JSONPath is commonly used in REST API testing, data pipelines, and configuration management to extract or validate specific fields from JSON payloads.
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What is JSONPath?
JSONPath is a query language for JSON, analogous to XPath for XML. It lets you extract specific values from deeply nested JSON structures using concise dot-notation or bracket-notation expressions. JSONPath was originally proposed by Stefan Goessner in 2007 and is now formalized in RFC 9535.
Core operators
The root operator ($) refers to the top-level object. The dot operator (.) accesses child properties, while bracket notation (['key']) handles special characters in keys. The wildcard (*) matches all elements at a level, recursive descent (..) searches all descendants, and array slices ([start:end:step]) select ranges of array elements. Filter expressions ([?(@.price < 10)]) let you query arrays conditionally.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between dot notation and bracket notation in JSONPath?
Dot notation ($.store.book) is shorter and cleaner for simple property names. Bracket notation ($['store']['book']) is required when property names contain spaces, dots, or other special characters.
Does JSONPath support filtering arrays?
Yes. Filter expressions like $..book[?(@.price < 10)] select array elements that match a condition. You can use comparison operators, logical AND/OR, and regular expressions in filters.