Convert Python True, False, and None to JSON

Python and JSON represent boolean and missing values with different spellings. Python uses True, False, and None. JSON uses true, false, and null.

Let the JSON encoder do the conversion

The reliable approach is to serialize a Python object rather than search and replace text:

import json

data = {"enabled": True, "archived": False, "deleted_at": None}
print(json.dumps(data))
# {"enabled": true, "archived": false, "deleted_at": null}

json.dumps() understands Python values and emits valid JSON. It also handles nested lists and dictionaries without changing text inside a string value.

Why replace() is risky

A simple text.replace("None", "null") can corrupt data. For instance, the string "None of these values" is ordinary text, not a null value. A serializer knows the difference between a value and characters inside a quoted string.

Likewise, replacing single quotes with double quotes can break escaped quotes and text such as don't. Parse the Python literal first if you have Python-style text, then write JSON with a serializer.

Reading JSON back into Python

data = json.loads('{"enabled": true, "deleted_at": null}')
print(data["enabled"])    # True
print(data["deleted_at"]) # None

json.loads() performs the reverse mapping as it parses valid JSON. It will reject Python syntax such as {'enabled': True}, because that is a Python representation rather than JSON.

Convert a pasted value safely

For the formal JSON syntax, see RFC 8259. Python’s supported encoder options are documented in the json module.

By Python JSON Formatter · Updated 23 September 2026