Tutorial · 5 min read
How to Extract and Preview Image URLs From JSON — No Setup Needed
JSON files and API responses are everywhere — CMS exports, webhook payloads, GraphQL queries, and product catalogs. They often contain image and video URLs buried inside nested objects. Open JSON URL Extractor to preview image URLs and export a clean list without uploading your JSON to a server.
The Problem: Media URLs Are Invisible in Raw JSON
When you look at a raw JSON object, a field like "avatar": "https://cdn.example.com/users/42.jpg" tells you nothing about whether that image is still valid, what it looks like, or whether the URL points to a real file. Checking each link manually means opening dozens of tabs and waiting for each one to load.
The JSON URL Extractor solves this by classifying every extracted URL by type (image, video, or other) and rendering image thumbnails and video cards in a clean, scrollable grid — all within your browser, with zero setup.
Step 1: Paste Your JSON Source
Open the JSON URL Extractor and paste your JSON content. This could be an API response, a webhook payload, a CMS export, or any JSON file containing media URLs. The tool automatically detects JSON format and recursively extracts every http and https URL from every field — no matter how deeply nested.
For a working demo, select Product image URLs from Load Example. It contains three public image URLs that can be opened and previewed immediately.
Step 2: Preview Media Thumbnails
Click the Preview button in the right panel toolbar to expand the media grid. The tool automatically separates URLs into categories:
- Image URLs — Rendered as 100×100px thumbnails with lazy loading. Supported formats: jpg, jpeg, png, gif, webp, svg, avif, bmp, ico. Failed images show a gray placeholder so you can spot broken links immediately.
- Video URLs — Displayed as dark cards with a ▶ icon and the filename. Click a video card to open the URL in a new tab. Supported formats: mp4, webm, mov, avi, mkv, m3u8.
The grid loads 24 items at a time. Click Show more to load additional media items. The preview updates automatically when you switch between the Image and Video result tabs.
Step 3: Filter and Export Media URLs
After previewing, filter the URL list and export only the image URLs you need:
- Click Image or Video in the result tabs to see only that media type.
- Use the Domain or Substring filters to narrow to specific servers or path patterns.
- Click Copy image URLs to copy all visible image URLs to your clipboard.
- Use Export image URLs to save a TXT or CSV list. Developers can find cURL and wget scripts under More export formats.
All export formats respect your current filter settings — only the URLs currently visible in the list are included. JSONXX exports URLs; it does not download remote image files.
Find the Image URLs Hiding in Your JSON
Preview media inline, identify unavailable links, and export the filtered URL list. No signup or upload required.
Preview image URLs in JSON →Best Practices
- Start with the API Response sample. It includes images, videos, and documents — a quick way to understand how the tool classifies each URL and how the preview grid behaves.
- Use Preview mode to audit webhook payloads. Webhooks often carry avatar URLs, receipt PDFs, and video embeds. Preview them visually before storing or processing the payload.
- Check broken images before exporting. A gray placeholder in the grid means the URL is broken or blocked. Remove those URLs before exporting to avoid errors in downstream tools.
- Switch between Image and Video tabs to verify media. The preview grid auto-refreshes when you change tabs, so you can quickly check images, then videos, without re-pasting.
- Export a clean URL list for the next step. Copy the visible URLs or export TXT/CSV for a CMS migration, spreadsheet, QA handoff, or developer workflow. cURL and wget scripts are available as advanced exports.
Frequently Asked Questions
What image formats are supported for preview?
The tool recognizes and previews image URLs ending in jpg, jpeg, png, gif, webp, svg, avif, bmp, and ico. Video URLs ending in mp4, webm, mov, avi, mkv, and m3u8 are shown as clickable video cards.
Why are some images not showing in the preview?
If an image fails to load (broken link, CORS issue, or deleted file), the preview shows a gray fallback placeholder. This helps you quickly identify which URLs need attention without opening each one.
Can I filter to see only images or only videos?
Yes. Use the Image and Video tabs in the results panel. The preview grid updates automatically to show only the currently selected media type.
How many media items can I preview at once?
The preview grid loads 24 items per batch. Click Show more to load the next batch. This keeps the page responsive even when your JSON contains hundreds of media URLs.
Is my JSON data uploaded to a server when I use the preview?
No. All extraction, filtering, and preview rendering happens entirely in your browser. Your JSON and media URLs never leave your computer.
Does JSONXX download image files?
No. JSONXX finds, previews, checks, copies, and exports image URLs. It does not download remote image files. Developers can use the advanced cURL or wget exports when that workflow fits their environment.