What is TOON Format and Why It Reduces LLM Token Usage by 60%

TOON (Token-Oriented Object Notation) is a revolutionary data format designed specifically to minimize token consumption in Large Language Model (LLM) applications. If you're using GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, or any other LLM API, you know that token costs can quickly add up. TOON format offers a solution that can reduce your token usage by up to 60% while maintaining full data structure clarity.

Understanding the Token Problem

When working with LLMs, every character counts. Traditional JSON format includes:

• Redundant syntax characters (braces, brackets, commas, quotes)
• Verbose key names
• Excessive whitespace
• Repetitive structure markers

For example, a simple JSON object like this:

{
  "users": [
    { "id": 1, "name": "Alice", "role": "admin" },
    { "id": 2, "name": "Bob", "role": "user" }
  ]
}

Contains many tokens that don't contribute to the actual data meaning. The braces, brackets, quotes, and commas all consume tokens but don't add semantic value.

How TOON Format Works

TOON format addresses this by:

1. Removing Redundant Syntax

TOON eliminates unnecessary braces, brackets, and excessive quotes while maintaining structure through indentation (similar to YAML).

2. Using Indentation for Structure

Instead of braces and brackets, TOON uses indentation to represent hierarchy, which is more token-efficient.

3. Converting Uniform Arrays to Tabular Format

When arrays contain objects with the same structure, TOON converts them to a tabular format that's more compact.

4. Maintaining Data Clarity

Despite being more compact, TOON maintains full data structure clarity and can be easily converted back to JSON.

Real-World Impact

For developers and businesses using LLM APIs:

• Cost Savings: Reduce API costs by up to 60%
• Faster Processing: Fewer tokens mean faster API responses
• Better Rate Limits: Stay within token limits more easily
• Scalability: Process larger datasets within the same token budget

Getting Started with TOON

Our free JSON to TOON converter makes it easy to convert your JSON data to TOON format. Simply paste your JSON, and get the optimized TOON output instantly. All processing happens locally in your browser, ensuring your data remains private and secure.

Try it now and see how much you can save on your next LLM API call!