JSON stands for JavaScript Object Notation. It’s a lightweight format for storing and exchanging data, structured in a way that’s easy for both humans and computers to read.
What JSON Looks Like
{
"name": "Jane Doe",
"role": "Editor",
"active": true
}This structure — labeled values wrapped in curly braces — makes it simple to see exactly what data is being described, even without any special tools to view it.
Where JSON Shows Up in WordPress
WordPress uses JSON extensively behind the scenes, especially through the REST API, which lets external applications and the block editor itself communicate with your site’s data using this format.
You likely won’t need to write JSON by hand as a typical site owner, but you might encounter it when exporting settings, working with certain plugins, or troubleshooting technical issues with a developer.